A friend of mine is traveling to Japan in a couple of weeks. She and her family will meet some of their Japanese relatives for dinner. She said they have to bring some gift items as it is expected, but she doesn't know what to bring. She heard that beef jerky is a popular gift item because beef is so expensive there. Anyone has any ideas? Thanks.

Pat

Beef jerky is readily available in Japan. And beef jerky of US, Canada and a few other countries is banned in Japan and may not be brought in even in luggage. http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html

When we travel, we bring gifts back to Japan with us for many people. Best are small, not too valuable, and edible. Jams, mustards, or other condiments that are locally made near your hometown are always nice...usual brand names are possible to buy in Japan, but not the small companies. A nice gift box of assorted cookies is nice, too.

They also might stop by a cake shop and purchase a variety of individual servings of cake...they will be packed in a box with ice and make a great gift.

Japan is certainly a gift giving culture. I give a lot of gift to female friends & have been buying Bath & Body products for most of them & they love it. There is a vast array of products which come in different sizes. The Kitchen Gels have been a favorite since you can always use it. Unlike the bath products that you need to know their particular preference. It is heavy, that's true but it's for family.

I also do a run at Trader Joe's & buy them different flavored teas, chocolates, baked goods & other treats. Depending on who I give it to, I have made themed gift baskets for my close friends much like the ones that are sold corporately but with a more personal feel.

Agree with Kim that beef jerky is both plentiful & readily available here. We ever sell it in Costco. They also have it in the 99 shop, our franchised food specialty dollar store.

KimJapan and BMTToyko, thanks you so much for your help. You have given Carol great ideas, she and I will be hitting the stores this week. Thanks again.

Pat

Is it too late to chime in?

One of my favorite gifts to give is a box of Celestial Seasonings herb tea. People really seem to like the Mandarin Orange Spice, and the very-berry flavor (sorry, brain lapse here, can't remember the name).

Don't give anything that needs to be baked, because ovens are not standard equipment in Japan. Instant pudding might be fun, though, if there are kids in the family.

Wine might be a possibility -- depends on the family. I think you are allowed three bottles in customs.

We've gotten Krazy Salt as a gift. Fancy croutons may also be welcome, as well as nuts -- but many people are allergic these days, or watching their diet quite carefully.

Anti-bacterial soap for the bathroom is a nice gift, especially with a cute hand-towel. Be sure and explain what it is, though.

If the family reads English, some magazines might be appreciated -- home decor for the moms, DIY for the dads, comics for the kids. Yes, I do stereotype! But these are very popular in Japan, and sometimes you can buy them for two or three times the cover price in the foreign section of bookstores. My Japanese friends have oohed-and-aahed over Mary Englebreit's Home Companion (but check the issue -- not all are "cute" as others). My daughter likes Betty and Veronica comics, and also there are the new Nancy Drew graphic novels which are very cute.

Something made in America, and particularly made in your friend's particular locale will make a very traditional gift.

Good luck with it!

Last year I visited Japan and took a variety of candies and chocolates for a family. They really appreciated them and told me they liked the various tastes. For a Japanese lady who is an English teacher at an elementary school, I took a couple of children's story books written in English. She was delighted as she was able to add it to her colelction. She sometimes has an opportunity to read these books to the students. One book was a Halloween story and she was thrilled tohave it.
For the two men I was meeting, I took ties created by American designers. Those were well received also.
Books on American cities also make good gifts. Hope these ideas help.

Over the years I've had a number of Japanese guests. Some of the things they've bought and taken back home are pretty paper napkins and paper plates with printed designs, American cosmetics (they love Dior, Chanel, and Estee Lauder), bakery fresh chocolate chip cookies (not the packaged Nabisco type, but supermarket bakery ones baked fresh daily), designer pillow cases such as Ralph Lauren Polo or other designer brands (I get these at Ross or at the dept. store on markdown sale). Beef jerky will be confiscated.

I do have to alert you about bringing chocolates during the Summer (July- Aug) season. It gets seriously hot here & they may not survive the trip.

One thing that was a big hit for me was going to Old Navy and buying their "American Flag" T-shirts. I believe they were $5 each and I bought 10 of them for the whole family and they all loved them! Another thing that my foodie relative liked was Lawry's Garlic Salt.