Gift ideas for someone traveling to Japan
Dec 4th, 2010, 02:53 AM
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Gift ideas for someone traveling to Japan
My in-laws are planning a trip to Japan and my wife and I were trying to settle on a gift for my father in-law geared toward their trip. It's one of those what do you get for the man who has everything dilemmas and the thought is probably more important than the monetary amount. Having said that, we could probably stretch the overall budget for the gift to approximately 200 USD.
I'm afraid that I don't have too many details on their itinerary, but based on prior trips they've taken to India and China I suspect that they will rely on private guides and the concierge services of nice hotels.
They are foodies, so even something like a gift certificate to a particularly outstanding restaurant in one of the major cities or arranging for some hidden gem cultural experience would be great. For the latter we could combine the gifts for my mother and father-in-law and stretch the budget to $400. Thanks so much for your ideas.
-Matt
I'm afraid that I don't have too many details on their itinerary, but based on prior trips they've taken to India and China I suspect that they will rely on private guides and the concierge services of nice hotels.
They are foodies, so even something like a gift certificate to a particularly outstanding restaurant in one of the major cities or arranging for some hidden gem cultural experience would be great. For the latter we could combine the gifts for my mother and father-in-law and stretch the budget to $400. Thanks so much for your ideas.
-Matt
Dec 4th, 2010, 03:49 AM
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You don't say when they are going, but how about a book about Japan to read before (or on the plane)? It really is a foodie culture, and they might enjoy reading up on it before they go.
I don't think Japan has a tradition of "gift certificates." The only thing that I can think of is if they have a reservation at a traditional Japanese inn, they will probably have supper included in the price. You might be able to fax the inn and arrange for an extra course. (I suggest faxing because many Japanese are more comfortable with written English than spoken English.)
I will be very interested in seeing what other answers you get!
I don't think Japan has a tradition of "gift certificates." The only thing that I can think of is if they have a reservation at a traditional Japanese inn, they will probably have supper included in the price. You might be able to fax the inn and arrange for an extra course. (I suggest faxing because many Japanese are more comfortable with written English than spoken English.)
I will be very interested in seeing what other answers you get!
Dec 4th, 2010, 06:52 AM
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Matt, I see from your previous posts that you are techno-savvy to some degree. Would your father-in-law use something convenient in the photographic line, such as a portable flip video-camera? Or an iPod Touch for email, googling maps, etc? I have found a small pocket compass really useful in Japan when you emerge from a train and don't know the directions. Before our last trip to Japan my wife bought me a pair of English-made leather slippers for use indoors--the cost was within your budget, but just barely! The slippers supplied by hotels, etc. are typically way too small for me, and are a hazard to use, especially on stairs.
Obviously, these suggestions are shots in the dark.
Obviously, these suggestions are shots in the dark.
Dec 4th, 2010, 01:58 PM
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I couldn't think of anything until WillJame came up with some tech ideas.
A notebook is great for travel. I'm using an HP Pavilion dm1 right now, and it's almost perfect: very lightweight, takes up very little space, and screen is not ultra-small. In Japan, it's terrific for checking train schedules, figuring out subway routes in Tokyo, looking for restaurants, and of course the usual things of e-mail and keeping in touch with things back home.
Another thing I'm glad to have is a good, compact camera. For that, I'm using a Nikon Coolpix: fits easily in a shirt pocket, extremely easy to use, and the photo quality is decent. If you do go this route, be sure to also get a decent-sized SD card.
A notebook is great for travel. I'm using an HP Pavilion dm1 right now, and it's almost perfect: very lightweight, takes up very little space, and screen is not ultra-small. In Japan, it's terrific for checking train schedules, figuring out subway routes in Tokyo, looking for restaurants, and of course the usual things of e-mail and keeping in touch with things back home.
Another thing I'm glad to have is a good, compact camera. For that, I'm using a Nikon Coolpix: fits easily in a shirt pocket, extremely easy to use, and the photo quality is decent. If you do go this route, be sure to also get a decent-sized SD card.
Dec 4th, 2010, 07:17 PM
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My kids bought us ab iPad which I am using right now. It was a lifesaver on our 3week trip to Spain. Used for emai and for documents my husband needed ton review for clients. I had many books loaded so I did not need to carry an extra bag for my reading. Even loaded sspeveral movies and lots of songs. Even a few games myngrandkids thought in would like.
Best toy ever!
Best toy ever!
Dec 5th, 2010, 05:56 AM
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Whether it's an iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch (as I suggested) depends on how it will be used. Last time I was in Japan I had a laptop and an iPod Touch. The iPod Touch went everywhere with me in my pocket. I couldn't see myself carrying a laptop or even an iPad around like that, on the streets, on trains, in restaurants, museums, etc. But if you think that would be more useful, then sure.
On further thought, the iPhone would be more useful than the iPod Touch, b/c of the camera and built-in GPS. You'd probably want to use it only where there are wi-fi hotspots, and not on a cell-phone network. But think of the handy feature of being able to instantly email a photo home--a big reason why, incidentally, that point-and-shoot cameras are dropping out of the market. The iPad has no camera, at least not yet.
On further thought, the iPhone would be more useful than the iPod Touch, b/c of the camera and built-in GPS. You'd probably want to use it only where there are wi-fi hotspots, and not on a cell-phone network. But think of the handy feature of being able to instantly email a photo home--a big reason why, incidentally, that point-and-shoot cameras are dropping out of the market. The iPad has no camera, at least not yet.
