I am on a work trip in America right now and when I get back to Japan my Wife(Japanese 25F) and I(American 24M) are visiting her parents and I know I am expected to bring gifts to her family. She wants me to get something for her Parents, Grandma, Brother, and Cousin. I have no clue what to bring and I know I will have limited space traveling back to Japan. Any ideas would be most appreciated.
10 comments
American snacks and sweets that will keep should be fine. The more extravagant the wrapping, the better. But check with your wife first. In fact, ask her what she wants to get before you buy anything.
Food. Snacks. Stuff that can be eaten together. Old lady food. Old man snacks. Candy for kids.
Depends on how close you are to the in-laws, but a bag of Hershey kisses bought at an Walmart would probably not be a good gift. Chocolate boxes or slightly upscale snacks/food in boxes are popular gifts.
If parents/brothers are drinkers, maybe an American bottle of wine or a bottle of bourbon. You should be able to get all of these gifts in the duty free at airports.
Beef jerky used to be a popular gift, but it is no longer possible to bring them into Japan from the US.
Try stuff that’s ‘more local’ to where you are from. Honey as mentioned was good, maybe some local chocolates, or small items that are from your hometown.
If Yamazaki try to find the 12, if it’s the non age statement Yamazaki I think it’s worth a pass as it’s relatively easy to find in Japan still. If it’s the 12 and under $150 a bottle (that’s even up there) then maybe worth it.
Maybe some nice (local) beer/wine/spirits, honey, jam, or snacks?
I’d they like sweet things, maple syrup might be a good idea!
Easy to carry foods/sweets/etc. that ideally you can’t get in Japan (or at least you don’t see it everywhere).
A work acquaintance recently brought from America Cafe Bustelo, and since he’s from Florida he brought Lemon Cookies. The coffee was spot on, everybody loved it. The cookies (although nobody dared say anything) were way too sweet xD
Japanese kids of my friends in Japan aaaaalways loved when i brought back mexican candy from my trips back home. Maybe if you can find a tub of Sees candy somewhere for the grandparents?
Cheese!!!
The snacks are 100% a good go to. But if you end up flying to LAX there is this cup cake place in the domestic terminal my wife goes to religiously every time I took her to me my family. Everytime we fly back to Japan (13 hours) she brings them in a box with those dry ice packs and this cooler bag she has just to bring back to her family. Maybe an idea if you can wing it.