Gifts for Japanese

[Shaolin]

My eldest son is going to work in Japan in a few days and wants to take some things he can give as gifts when appropriate that they might not be able to get there and will appreciate.

Apart from a couple of bottles of whisky for special presents (or to drink himself if homesick), we're a bit stuck. Googling suggests shortbread and tea which sound a bit naff, surely they have lots of their own tea?

We are hoping that PH can come up with some suitable suggestions - anyone?

[bint]

Tea yes, English tea such as earl grey and Darjeeling. Shortbread isn't a stupid one either.

ETA; don't think that these "stereotype" gifts are bad, you'd be surprised at what is appreciated.

[F-Stop Junkie]

Something very traditional would be great. If it has a Union Flag on it, some tartan or a West Highland Terrier, etc... All the better.

The appreciation of a gift of any sort would be enough. That it hadn't been bought from a 7-11 near by, then better still.

Just avoid Kit Kats. They have those.

[bint]

F-Stop Junkie said:

Just avoid Kit Kats. They have those.

The world supply I suspect- I do love the green tea ones!

[driver67]

Good info here :-

http://blog.japancentre.com/2010/04/01/japanese-gi...

[Matt172]

Tea, Cadbury chocolate and salt and vinagar crisps are always a hit when we go over, if he wants to make a real hit, take some whiskey, it's stupidly expensive over there


Edited to add I should have read the whole post before suggesting whiskey :bangshead:

[Getragdogleg]

Highland toffee, short bread biscuits, Twinings English breakfast tea, or anything that can be identified as "British" ought to go down well.

Depending on the target for the gifts clothing with the Union flag or that sort of thing might be good, even mugs with a flag on would be cool.

[Shaolin]

Thanks for the replies everyone, he's headed into town to stock up now, flies off tomorrow.