Japan's hottest new souvenir: Schoolbags November 26, 2014 -- Updated 0753 GMT (1553 HKT) The traditional satchel (randoseru in Japanese) is a mandatory item for first year elementary school kids. The students and their schoolbags are purified at a ceremony at a Shinto shrine to pray for safety. Randoseru, Japan's traditional schoolchild's backpack, has become the latest must-buy souvenir in Japan Zooey Deschanel was spotted in New York sporting a red randoseru, making the rounds on the internet One souvenir shop at Kansai International Airport in Osaka sells about 120 randoseru each month Until mid-December CNN International explores the places, people and passions unique to Japan. (CNN) -- It's probably been a few years since you packed your books and lunch in a bag, kissed your mom at the door and stumbled off to grade school. But if you've got a friend traveling to Japan, you might soon find yourself slinging an old-timey book bag over your shoulders. Randoseru, Japan's traditional schoolchild's backpack, has become the latest must-buy souvenir in Japan. The randoseru is a mandatory item for first-year elementary school kids in Japan. Made primarily of leather, the simple, boxy backpack is known for its sturdiness and is usually expected to last a student through his or her first six years of school. Its popularity among foreigners gained traction earlier this year when Zooey Deschanel was spotted in New York sporting a red randoseru. It's not the first time Deschanel's taste in backwear has spawned an unlikely trend. In 2012, she was seen wearing a Fjallraven rucksack -- a hipster schoolbag brand from Sweden -- and a fashion mini-wave was born. MORE: Biggest souvenir-buying no-nos Randoseru has been a uniform for Japanese school children for decades. Randoseru sales up In addition to becoming a topic of conversation on talk shows in Japan, the photo of Deschanel and her randoseru made the rounds on the internet. In April, Yorozu and Nagomi souvenir shops at Kansai International Airport in Osaka began stocking the bags in response to a sudden and unexpected demand from tourists. Yorozu tells CNN that the shop now sells about 120 randoseru each month. Chinese and Taiwanese parents and grandparents are among the biggest buyers, but travelers from other countries have been snatching them up, as well. Seiban, a randoseru manufacturer, has also seen an increase in foreign shoppers at its randoseru shop in Tokyo's Harajuku area. The company says it's considering hiring more foreign-language-speaking staff to accommodate the demand, according to the Japan Times. Randoseru typically cost between $120 and $600. How long the randoseru trend lasts is anybody's guess. Probably at least until Deschanel is spotted toting her stuff in an egg basket, toolbox or whatever's next. November 26, 2014 -- Updated 0706 GMT (1506 HKT) Sushi seems like a simple enough thing, but what's the best way to eat it? It's probably been a few years since you packed your books and lunch in a bag, kissed your mom at the door and stumbled off to grade school. December 13, 2013 -- Updated 0157 GMT (0957 HKT) Never mind the fine dining of Tokyo, the country's homemade comfort food has been given international recognition. December 13, 2013 -- Updated 0150 GMT (0950 HKT) For a society that regards conformity as an important value, there are surprising number of Japanese who opt for homes that defy the cookie-cutter design. December 10, 2013 -- Updated 1250 GMT (2050 HKT) CNN's Paula Newton visits the Japan's Elite Academy which aims to nurture world-class athletes. December 10, 2013 -- Updated 0326 GMT (1126 HKT) The country's senior citizens are showing the younger generation that life begins at 80. December 9, 2013 -- Updated 0111 GMT (0911 HKT) A new super high-speed maglev network in Japan is being built, with plans to expand to the U.S. March 18, 2014 -- Updated 0920 GMT (1720 HKT) Fans of anime should head to Yakushima, the ancient forests that inspired Hayao Miyazaki to create "Princess Mononoke." July 11, 2013 -- Updated 0836 GMT (1636 HKT) CNN's Diana Magnay joins Google Street View on a remarkable expedition.