Job Discussion Forums

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yes, even I need advice sometimes Very Happy

Over the winter holiday, I'm going to visit my coworker's family in another prefecture. Last summer, she came to my family's house in Canada and we put her up and my parents spoiled her terribly. It was great!

So, in return, she's invited me to her family house for Oshogatsu, mochitsuki, osechiryori, the lot! They live over on the Japan Sea side of Honshu.

Problem - what do I bring? What wouldn't be ho hum to them, and yet not overboard?

Any suggestions? Thanks!

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

You live in Tokyo, right? Where about? Just bring something that is from Tokyo that maybe not the usual from them. Look around the sweet shops in your area and ask for something locally made. They is the norm for gifts. Something for around 2000 yen should do the trick. I did this last year when I went to my friends house for the New year and also I cooked dinner for them one night. Plus you mentioned that she homestayed at your family's house so this is backback for that and prepare to be spoiled too.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Food! Food! Food! Ho-hum is what they'll expect. Anything beyond that will probably seem grandiose. You said your family put your friend up, meaning that you have already given a gift. Therefore, I'd keep it rather simple for your visit.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I agree with you guys - my family went nuts and spoiled her with dinners, tours and things, so I should probably enjoy this and be a happy guest in return.

I'll go with the idea of locally produced stuff - food and the like. Now, I have to do some research...Tasting food is research, right?

This is going to be a great holiday!

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Anything that is unique to the corner of Japan where you live.... Even if it's something mundane like "soba" it can still be special.... If, lets say it were hand-made soba that came from a famous shop that has been around since the Edo period, and the recipe handed down from generation to generation.

I see this kind of thing on Japanese TV all the time -- where they feature some small, hole-in-the wall place that makes the most AMAZING stuff..... If your family can recognize it from TV, all the better. If not, the story behind the product may be worth more than the product itself.

I remember, once I was watching one of these Japanese "nationalistic travelogue" shows where they extol the virtues and beauties of their own country.... Their news team featured a restaurant in Shizuoka-ken that I had just been to a month prior. It was so cool! I jumped out of my chair and yelled to my wife: "See? SEE? I told you that place was unusually good..... It's on TV right now..." It was a Hawaiian restaurant across the street from the beach, complete with tiki torches, and the whole 9. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was amazing. A little on the pricey side though, and a bit of a wait to get in. They took care not to overfill the joint, so even though it was packed and super busy, "packed" is the wrong term to use, as they have less tables than other restaurants so you can enjoy a lot more privacy and quiet with your meal and pleasant surroundings.

Anyway, I digress.

I love living in Yamanashi Prefecture. We have really cool omiyage here that I've had the please of giving it to other nihonjin in other prefectures who had never heard of it or tasted it before. But then again, I think that most regions of Japan can make similar claims. Good luck finding something appropriate.