What souvenirs should i get for my friends in Japan?

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HDN

From US to Japan:
T shirts
Sports items (an official team baseball or football would be great)
Harry Potter books (in English. They have the Japanese translated versions over there, and many would love to have the "original" copies)
Food stuff: Beef jerky, Ferrero Rocher candies, chili hot sauces (This is quite a novelty in Japan. Japanese cooking is usually on the mild side and most people rarely use hot sauces, at least nothing stronger than Tabasco).

From Japan to US:
Small wood, ceramic or papier mache souvenirs that you find around shrines and tourist locations (I know they are touristy but hard to find anywhere else).
Woodblock prints (expensive)
A new car (just kidding)

Don't get: DVDs (The US is considered "region 1" and Japan is "region 2" and their DVDs are not compatible. Some are "region 0" and can play anywhere, but they are rare).

Mike

A wife!

Eric C

For your Japanese friends, depends on their age and budget, t-shirt, baseball hats, California wine, etc.

Japan is souvenirs heaven.
again depends on your budget, the possibility is endless.
find something relate to your trip, Japanese culture, etc. and please, don't get any Japanese Disney land stuff....
For yourself - check out Akihabara (electronic town) for some new gadget - make sure the power voltage is right for the U.S. though

Hector S

I read somewhere that t-shirts in Japan that have English words on them are very trendy. I think the same goes for t-shirts with Japanese words in the US. A simple t-shirt exchange might work for you.

â–ºsolo

AMERICAN FLAGS!!! It would be such an American thing to do. And even better... when you see them, pitch it in their yard and claim their land as an American territory.

MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Funny stuff. Think about it.

AC3p0

"Pokeyman?! Pokeyman with the pokey and the man and the thing where the guy comes out of the thing, and he likes to fall out of that whrr ah ah ah!"

Jawen

My cousin got me a good luck charm that's supposed to be hung on the doorknob. I think she bought it a shrine- not sure. Maybe get some sort of small ornament, besides it won't take up much space in your luggage.

Super

Bring home a tortured American soldier so we don't forget.

Cases and Notes â˜º â™£

Bring them souveniers that they would like. For instance, if one of your friends likes tea, bring them tea.

J DUb

Japanese candy is really good and really different

Turmoyl

When going from the US to Japan, bring them candy...seriously. Japan's candy and sweets don't have much sugar in them, and know that ours does. So a sugar high is usually the best gift (I'm not kidding).

From Japan to the US, if your friends don't regular the Asian grocery stores, get them some pretty chop sticks, a cup, or non-perishable treats. Maybe even some Japanese candy or cookies to show them the difference in sugar.
If they DO regular Asian stores in the US, then probably something that you wouldn't find here, or that they wouldn't buy even if it is here, and since everything in Japan's so expensive, simple little things, even non-practical gifts like a ninja sword-letter opener is cute and appreciated.

ithinkyoustink! :D

For childeren PLUSH's are good.
They're teddies like Hello Kitty
and GloomBear. :)

HOPE IT HELPS.

Mrsjvb

bring local items that your area is known for to your friends in Japan. For instance, if you live in VT, maple sugar candies would be perfect. Baseball stuff is BIG, especially anything relating to the Japanese players. for the adult males.. can't go wrong with Jack Daniels or Wild Turkey.

for things to bring back from Japan, it really depends on your budget and your space considerations. Kimono and yukata are nice, as are the Carp flags for the younger boys. go to the nicer 100 Yen stores and you can find a TON of neat stuff..cheap!

jelle

saki

night_train_to_memphis

Coins may be an option. A roll of pennies or some combination of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters may be well received.

And Japanese currency might be well received here in the states. If some of the coins have empty centers (but perhaps they don't), they may be good for necklaces or large key rings.

blossombabe221

Some chopsticks would be great or a japenese calander!

herakh

my friend once bought me a keychain, which was nice until i saw her holding a plastic bag containg dozens of the same keychain. to me, this seems unpersonal, so try to avoid that if you can

other than that, maybe you could try those crazy japanese toys,

LeeEyeLa

You should get them things in Japan that you don't see in the US. (no chopsticks, etc.) Try to find something personalized, like their name written in Kanji style. Bring a Japanese newpaper back for them to look at. Japanese candy is also a fun gift- it tastes WAY better than American candy! ^_^

I Need $$$

samurai swords

OBESE HAS CHANGED HIS NAME

STEAK!

Nick

something that really represents japanese culture and something unique and sums up your friends personality.

Arch

Take those small souvenirs of
liberty statue or
naigara falls or
noah's arc or
If u want to give a personnel touch customize them by engraving on it from the stores.

Take few good chocolates,
good perfumes,
interactive toys for kids,
some good tops for girls/boys.

Some semi precious stones fancy jewellery for girls which can be for occasional wear.

Some good gadgets for boys which can come handy for them like ipod or any in ur budget.

list goes on......... :)

tercelclub

if i ever go to Japan (I have a friend over there); this is my list of things to bring back (bear in mind that this is in my case, I'm a guy):

FOR ME:
A full kimono set, including the kimono, haori (jacket), hakama (pants), a pair of tabi (socks), a pair of geta (sandals). the full outfit.

FOR FAMILY/FRIENDS:
A miniature geisha figurine; a friend of mine has 4 of them, including two dressed in wedding kimonos.

A Kabuki mask

a couple of bottles of real Japanese Sake (rice or plum).

Lanterns

A rice paper parchment with a Japanese verse, written in Kanji using the Sumi-e method of drawing.

If you ever go and travel, i strongly suggest you visit the Akihabara District; is the technological mecca, where you'll find thousands of electronic stores and fin stuff that you will never find in the US in terms of high tech devices.

My advice, go with plenty of money, you will thank me later. :)

mycorollababy

THINGS FOR JAPAN FRIENDS
authentic United States stuffs
like brand name cloths, handbags, diamonds for expensive gifts (high price in japan)
Ginseng for the elders
inexpensive gifts
baseball cap of yankee team (japanese love baseball)
If you live in NY, make sure you get I LOVE NY shirts
Have a fun trip

THINGS FOR FAMILY AND OTHER IN U.S.
wooden shoes that Geisha wears
Japanese silk robes
get PS3, Nintendo Wii (game console and games)

wife2denizmoi

Hmmmm. I would get something that is made in the USA. Something from Harley Davidson, something from Lennox China, but check all the labels because some of it is made overseas. It depends on where you are in the USA too.

Texas....something with Chili peppers
Vermont....100% pure Vermont Maple Syrup...have it shipped
Oregon.....Salmon? Again, have it shipped or checked as luggage all the way home.

E-mail me your location and I'll give you some good ideas. Enjoy your trip!

TONYA R

How about a football? Or anything Nascar related.

I would bring my female friends back dresses or shoes, my male friends maybe something electronic (like a new PS3 game) that hasn't been released in the US. They have so many nice electronics that are not available here.

Sea III Pea Oh!

From my understanding your country is BIG into Baseball. If your friends back in Japan are fan of this Sport? Try stopping by a few baseball stadium's. And taking a pitcher of yourself in front of as many as you can. This will not only give you something to look back on... But something to help connect your friends back home to you, their favorite sport, and your trip.

suzanne g

Japanese stuff - tea set, sake set, chopsticks, those cloth doors (a cool cloth that hands in doorway to act as a casual door), anything made in Japan that you don't see here too much.
For mom & special girlfriends & sisters - KIMONO!

poetry_wave

American Candy, um anything with american sayings on it, here in Japan we have english sayings but they are often riddlied and confused. Mostly american treats (junk food and such) also games, toys stuff like that. Hope this helped I was a little confused if it was for them or you...

Aoi S

Maybe some books, or some handicrafts specially made in your country. When I came to Japan, I brought chopsticks made from woods, originally handmade from my country, and also small leather puppet (wayang), a cultural symbol of Javanese people. In Japan, the temples/shrines sell many lucky charms or so, but (1) make sure you can speak Japan, because (2) every lucky charm has its own purpose, like a special charm to make one give birth easier, lucky charm to safe trip, etc. And not much people in the shrines can speak English, so you may end up buying lucky charms not suitable for your purpose. There are also small beautiful gifts like keychains, but I heard rumors that gifts with price less than 100 yen are made in China. You know, Japan-made souvenirs are well-quality and usually wrapped beautifully.

Chef

Cowboy hat and boots! LOL!

Things i would get from Japan would be Numchucks and a Samurai Sword... YEAH!

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