Gift Giving in japan

[GoldCoinLover]

I soon to go to japan soon with one of my parents. My questions is, what should I do about gift giving ? Should I bring some gifts? How does gift giving work? Will I recieve any? Thank you

 

[GaijinPunch]

If you don't know anybody, no. You really only get gifts for friends, or people you will meet. Much like the states, you don't just walk up to strangers and give gifts.

 

[Emoni]

It would be "omiyage" you're refering to buying. Buying a couple Americany gifts maybe 5$-10$ at most would not be a bad idea even for a vacation when you are planning to return later. Makes a good impression from what I have heard from friends who have gone.

I'm still not sure what omiyage I will get for my host family, other than mugs, some american wine, or other random gift things. This wouldn't be a bad spot on a thread like this to list good omiyage ideas.

I'll put down my idea of T-shirts or Mugs with sayings on them.

(I don't think he meant to randomly give gifts, but a couple cheap presents would be a good idea to bring I think.)

 

[-Rudel-]

Other foreign food!!!

My wife did it for her family when she went back to Japan after visiting America.

 

[Keiichi]

I'm getting stuff like things like merchandise related to the University I'm currently attending, Hawaiian grown coffee, and still thinking of other things. I'm trying not to get clothing because I don't know the body sizes of the people I would be giving things to, and don't want to get it wrong.

Keiichi

 

[GoldCoinLover]

It would be "omiyage" you're refering to buying. Buying a couple Americany gifts maybe 5$-10$ at most would not be a bad idea even for a vacation when you are planning to return later. Makes a good impression from what I have heard from friends who have gone.

I'm still not sure what omiyage I will get for my host family, other than mugs, some american wine, or other random gift things. This wouldn't be a bad spot on a thread like this to list good omiyage ideas.

I'll put down my idea of T-shirts or Mugs with sayings on them.

(I don't think he meant to randomly give gifts, but a couple cheap presents would be a good idea to bring I think.)[/QUOT

What is your host family? How do you get one? Also, if I make friends in japan, could I give them a gift?

 

[Keiichi]

What is your host family? How do you get one? Also, if I make friends in japan, could I give them a gift?

Hey you've been asking a lot of questions that could be found by doing a search on JREF. Try using it sometime.
Many school exchange/abroad programs also allow you to stay with a host family as an option (or the only option) for the length of your stay in Japan. There are also separate programs that allow you to look for a hostfamily on your own, but I'm not sure of any (again, try searching JREF).

If you make friends in Japan, it might be a good idea to give them something. Especially if they have been helpful to you. Often it is suggested that you bring some extra gifts for that purpose.

Keiichi