Ideas for gifts? (staying with friends of friend in Nagoya for a few nights)

[brackis]

A couple has been nice enough to offer their house to 2 friends and I for 3 nights. What do you think we should bring as gifts?
(Budget of around $100 USD/ 10000\ per person for a total of $300 USD or 30000 \)

Would it be better to have each of us give a gift, or present them with a larger gift together?

 

[Endsight61]

Do you know what this couple enjoys doing? There interests may help you pick out a gift. If not just ask. At first it might sound as if you are trying to sound pompous, but eventually they will understand that you are just trying to show some gratitude. If all else fails, bring them some traditional japanese seasonings and ingredients for cooking. From what i heard, the cooks of Japanese families always need to resupply their kitchens because the staple ingredients they use all of the time.:gohan: I hope this helps. :genji:

 

[Pachipro]

Lucky you!!! Individual gifts always seemed to work best for me. Any specialty from your home town or something like beef jerky or good chocolate is always welcome. A nice bottle of Scotch or Whiskey for the elder male is almost always welcome. These are best purchased at the duty free areas of your departing airport. If the male smokes, a carton of cigarettes will be welcome. Perfume for the females is good. Again these should be purchased at the duty free shops. Make sure they are well known brand names though as, in Japan, the manufacturer of the product is more important than the product itself.

 

[hintgiver]

Where in the US are you from? I live in Buffalo, NY which is really close to Canada. I always found that a bottle of "Ice-wine" is always a favorite when I go. I also seem to never miss when I bring a bottle of my favorite Shiraz.

Another thing I did once is a good friend of mine who is Japanese loves Sake. My friends and I wanted to do something nice so when in Japan before going to his house we all pitched in money and good a really good bottle of Sake for him (which he broke out right as we gave it to him ^-^; but hey, it made him happy.

 

[Kamakiri]

Haha - I am from Buffalo, NY as well, and when I came over I brought many local foods and candies with me. The candy went over very well with the women! Just remember - Japanese people loooove food, especially if it is a local food from your hometown. Also, like the others said, alcohol is good, but for me it weighed too much in the luggage. I hear smoked salmon makes a great gift, too.
Whatever you decide, just remember to wrap it up nicely! The presentation is as important as the gift (maybe even more so!).

 

[Endsight61]

So we all pretty muc agree: FOOD IS THE GIFT, ne?

 

[budd]

3 and 5
Enhanced Mode

 

[hintgiver]

Haha - I am from Buffalo, NY as well, and when I came over I brought many local foods and candies with me. The candy went over very well with the women!

I always thought of bringing sponge-candy but never thought it would really pack well. I always worried about chocolate and small foamy orange bits getting all over the place However, it's not a bad idea at all. Actually, Altheas has once a year a time when they make Peanut-Butter Ribbon candy. This stuff is amazing and I am thinking I may call to find out when they make it because, thanks to you, I think it would be a great gift to bring over for people in Japan.

Food is always a good bet... since people usually don't have a lot of room in the houses and little things can pile up really fast