Whether it be thanking a homestay family or a Japanese family hosting dinner OR a small gift for a friend in Japan – these are my gift suggestions.
These gifts are those items that I have had the most happy and excited to reactions over the years.
PUT A WHOLE STASH OF SMALL PAPER GIFT BAGS FLAT IN YOUR SUITCASE IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS YOU NEED TO GIVE GIFTS TO.
In Japan it is customary to hand over gifts in a gift bag (don’t need to wrap them unless you want to.) I always have lots of colourful gift bags and then I put the gift in and hand it over by the handles (with both hands = more polite) to friends and colleagues.
Apologies that many of these tips are most helpful for Australians.
1. Food is always the most well received
In Japan, even when traveling domestically or something special like Tokyo Disneyland Japanese people buy Omiyage (souvenirs) for family members and colleagues. And 99.9% of the time, those souvenirs are edible – it’s just the “done” thing. Usually the food item is branded with the special place or city info of the place they visited. Alternatively, food is made with a local ingredient (or seasonal ingredient) of that area.
The food is always in beautiful packaging and almost always in single serving portions (because it is usually left on an office table for everyone to take one and enjoy when they have a moment.)
For this reason, I like to take multipack bags of sweets.
Extra points if you hand over the sweets in a paper bag – and hand it over with two hands!
If looking for individual Tim-Tam options in Australia, Officeworks always has a good supply.
2. If you are from the States, then Trader Joes Bags
Trader Joes’s Bags are sold in Vintage stores in Japan for more than 2000 yen in some places. They are super popular in Japan.
3. Peter Alexander PJs
There aren’t many places in Japan that do a good quality luxury pyjama (that isn’t lingerie or just a printed tshirt and shorts kind of thing.)
For kids too, the characters etc are also popular.
4. Or Aussie supermarket items that have been a hit
-Kingston bikkies
– Hundreds and Thousands bikkies
– Tick Tock bikkies
-Tasmanian or Manuka Honey (remember that this isn’t recommended to give to babies though.)
– Smith’s Potato Chips (the normal salt flavour or those multi packs are easy to throw in the suitcase.)
-Red Rock Deli Chips (colleagues of mine lost their minds over the sweet chilli & sour cream flavour and also the salt & truffle flavour & lime and pepper )
-The T2 tea bags from the supermarket
-A good quality jar of marmalade is good (you’ll need to tell the receiver it’s “jam” to get the message across easily.)
-Moo Goo Cleansing (Soap) Bars
-Those assorted kelloggs’ cereal packs (you know, the type you take camping etc?)
-a bag of Macadamia nuts from the supermarket (Woolies has those 400g bags)
-Chicken Salt !
-Golden Gaytime popcorn
-Lamington Fingers
5. (If you’re from Australia and it’s for a good friend) Ugg Boots
Ugg is a really popular brand in Japan and is soooo expensive to buy in Japan.
6. Or Aussie chemist items that have been a hit
– Lanolips Lip Balm (apparently this is also really popular in Korea)
-my Japanese millennial counterparts are obsessed with the Jurlique brand
6. For babies I recommend bringing:
– Simple English board books (the kind with the touch and feel and scratch books or “lift up the flap” style books too) – imported books are expensive in Japan so this is a real novely
– Baby onesies in a brand that is made in your country (for aussie – the bonds onesies etc.)
PRESENTS THAT I RECOMMEND NOT BRINGING!
1. Not cheap keyring and magnets
It’s not like someone would ever throw one of these back in your face or anything but they aren’t the standard style of gift given in Japan (especially to adults.)
2. Not bubble Bath
This is just because baths in Japan are typically for soaking – not cleaning. So the washing / soapie part of the body is done in the shower. So bubble bath is unlikely to be used.
3. Vegemite or Marmite !
I really don’t know why people do this. It might be fun for those who are handing over the gift but why would anyone want something that is most likely not going to be liked.
So unless they’ve asked for it specifically? Skip !
4. Chocolate or Candy that is already readily available in Japan.
In Japan, it’s easy to get M&Ms, Haribo, Kit Kats, Pringles, Snickers.
And then, if you’re shopping for yourself in Japan and want to know my favourite Japanese souvenirs to buy in Japan, see my list here.
I have also compiled a list of my favourite gifts to take home from Japan for children.
