Job Discussion Forums

KellyS · Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 8

I leave the UK in five weeks to start work with NOVA in the Kansai region. Is anyone else reading this starting at the same time?

For those of you who have been there and done it, do you have any tips on what to take as gifts for neighbours etc (that won't melt and break in transit)?

What is the one thing you wished/pleased you had with you in your first few months in Japan?

I can't wait to leave!

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Omiyage (Gifts)
Something that tourists usually buy to remember your city by. Mugs, keychains, packaged snack items are good. Maybe something that has your home-city's name on it.

What to bring
Toothpaste from your home country, deodorant - enough to last a year.

A durable umbrella (rainy season hits in June (tsuyu), and it is very rainy, lasts for a month and a half). Make sure the umbrella can stand up against strong wind.

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

I'll be there at some point in April or May to start at Nova. We should throw a big I just got here party. Smile

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

(From a FAQs site)

Bringing a number of inexpensive gifts with you is also a good idea, to give them to those who show you a big kindness. Nothing extravagant is necessary -- even a video of MTV would do wonders, or some item of Americana or that represents where you're from. Cassettes of Top-40 radio (Japanese radio is horrible), small picture books or calendars, posters, ashtrays, chocolates, pure maple or berry syrups, t-shirts or pens/pencils with famous animation characters (except Disney or Snoopy, which they have in abundance), BBQ sauces, salad dressings like Ranch, flavored coffees, keychains, postcards, liquor, caps, coasters, nice soap or shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, etc. would be great. Even varieties of green tea that Japanese have never tried, such as with mandarin orange by Celestial Seasonings, or green tea with jasmine, earl grey, apple, raspberry, lemon, ginseng or mint from Salada would do well - they're cheap, light, and familiar to Japanese yet still unique. Be aware though that in Japan 4 and 9 are "unlucky" numbers, and especially older Japanese tend to be superstitious, so avoid giving sets of 4 or 9.

osakajojo · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 229

What to bring
Toothpaste from your home country, deodorant - enough to last a year.

went I went home to visit after my first 6 months in Japan, these are the two things I stocked up on and brought back with me. In fact, I brought back deodorant and toothpaste for some of my coworkers as well.

My first day in our new apartment in Japan, we went to the store and bought some ice cream. Thinking it was a box of 6 strawberry ice cream bars, it turned out to be a red bean. Hearing the old neighbors chatting outside our window, we thought it would be a good gesture to offer the ice cream bars to them on the hot August day. The 5 ladies each thanked us a bunch. We went back inside the apartment and then 5 min later a knock at the door- a lady gave us some chu hi (drink) and some dried squid. Ten min later another knock-another lady gave us some crackers and some other small things. Another few min past and another lady gave us a few things to put into our fridge. We loved it!

osakajojo · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 229

What to bring
Toothpaste from your home country, deodorant - enough to last a year.

went I went home to visit after my first 6 months in Japan, these are the two things I stocked up on and brought back with me. In fact, I brought back deodorant and toothpaste for some of my coworkers as well.

My first day in our new apartment in Japan, we went to the store and bought some ice cream. Thinking it was a box of 6 strawberry ice cream bars, it turned out to be a red bean. Hearing the old neighbors chatting outside our window, we thought it would be a good gesture to offer the ice cream bars to them on the hot August day. The 5 ladies each thanked us a bunch. We went back inside the apartment and then 5 min later a knock at the door- a lady gave us some chu hi (drink) and some dried squid. Ten min later another knock-another lady gave us some crackers and some other small things. Another few min past and another lady gave us a few things to put into our fridge. We loved it!

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

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

KellyS · Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 8

Hello new to Nova too. You will have to let me know when you arrive.

Thanks everyone for the advice on 'omiyagi' and 'tsuyu.' I've only progressed to module three on my language CD so the new vocab was appreciated!

Does 'nihonjin' become easier after sake?!?