gifts from japan?

Question

i am from japan and am going to the states for the first time. what would you guys like to get from japan as a gift?? also, when thinking about japan, what is the first thing comes up in your head??

Answer 1

When I think of Japan I think of Geisha and kimono. It all just seems very elegant.

Answer 2

Something I have always appreciated, and an easy and inexpensive gift would be some nice decorated chopsticks. These are almost always a hit. (I received some from our current Korean foreign exchange student a month or so ago.)

Another nice gift is a decorated scroll to hang on the wall. Temple bell cords are a very nice gift, and fans are usually very appreciated.

I spent two lovely years in Japan. The first thing that comes into my head is some wonderful people who touched my heart with their kindness and hospitality.

I hope the United States will treat you as well as Japan treated me.

Answer 3

Chopsticks, although a lot of people don't use them (but I do). stickers. stationery. magazines. stickers.
and more stickers--the cool kind, not the 100 yen kind.
Also those little toys from the conveni that have candy with them, like tiny cars or animals, etc. Cheap, but very Japanese and interesting.
I always give my friends fashion magazines. The Lolita mags cost more, but if someone is into that. . .man, they would LOVE to get one. Another present certain people would HIGHLY appreciate are those craft books where you make little charms or dolls, etc out of felt. Those books are only 300-600 yen in Japan, but are extraordinarily expensive in the US. Any kind of craft book w traditional Japanese crafts, such as temari, kimekomi, etc is a find. Even if you don't read Japanese you can follow the diagrams.
If you're staying w a family that has high school age kids, I think those charms for your keitai are a good gift. I bought a selection and let my friends choose which one they liked.
I wouldn't recommend food. You can get ANY kind of sweet in the US and most Americans are sort of squeamish about Japanese food (except those of us who have lived in Japan). Most people just wouldn't appreciate it.

Answer 4

I've lived in Japan, so now I don't have such a stereotypical image of Japan, but when I was little, I used to think of anime and samurai and ninjas.

These are some gifts I gave my relatives as souvenirs of Japan:

--Green tea (and empty tea bags, because most people don't use a teapot). Green tea is becoming more and more popular as a health drink in the US. Some people don't like it, though.

--A small ceramic dish or bowl like these:
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/mhomestyle/700015/794673/#1017444
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/tougei/101740/104000/290148/#294912
To make it more special, you could put soap or candy inside.

--Speaking of candy, my family loves Japanese hard candy, especially the fruit-flavored kind. I don't like kuroame, though.
http://www.kasugai.co.jp/products/candy/index3.html

--Anything that is "wafuu" or "wagara" or "washi" or "chirimen"--stationery, keyholders, pens, placemats, memo pads, etc. I gave my relatives chirimen bears like this (but a little bigger) to use as Christmas tree decorations: http://www.rakuten.co.jp/yumemiya/537456/537449/1782183/#1347345

Answer 5

sensu, senbei, green tea bags, small pottery pieces for important people, traditional candies, etc.

I'm lived in Japan for many years now and every time I return to the States I take something. Once even kewpie mayonnaise was a hit!

Answer 6

A kimono or yukata. They're cool and you can use yukatas or whatever they're called after you take baths.

Well, I'm Japanese too, but I didn't grow up in Japan. When I think of it though, I think of sakuras and snow and...women with dyed hair!!!

Answer 7

Hi if you are thinking about a small gift for a lot of people,, try a small pin for a hat,, with your flag on it... that would be a good gift or a lanyard for a camera with something written in Japanise language on it...

I think of Mt Fuji,,, and cherry blossums with gardens ... and pretty girls... lol...

good luck,, and i hope you have a good time here in America...

Answer 8

Japanese snacks, pokey, sembei, fans, Green tea bags, cell phone toys.

Bigger presents like Sake sets or serving trays in black or red.

What is the first thing that comes to mind? mt. Fuji

Answer 9

I absolutley reccomend Alaskan smoked salmon. don't get the canned sort the two. seem it up on line and get something from the two Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan) or from the Copper River. you would be recieved very warmly bearing this present.

Answer 10

the people won't be expecting anything, so it is not necessary to get anything, we don't have that custom of "omeyage". but if you do plan to get something, some treats are nice for example cookies and candies...those Tokyo bananas would do fine...as the for second part, maybe anime, kimono, sushi, chopsticks, etc...