Japanese Host Family Gifts

When travelling to Japan to be a host student, it is cutomary to bring a gift for your host family. This gift is either given when you arrive or leave, either seems fine.

This is a great link for Japanese Host Family Gifts:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Japan-195/Gifts-Japanese-host-guides.htm

If you are going to be a host student in Japan, the above link is very helpful. Here is a list of things not recommended as host family gifts:

• Clothing. You never know when the item you bring will not be the right size or acceptable to wear.


• Anything that will break easily or could potentially make a mess. The air pressure of airplanes is often known to make things burst during flight and items are often broken when luggage is roughly handled.


• Anything to do with the numbers 4 or 9. These mean bad luck and death in Japanese culture.


• Avoid the color white. White is the traditional color of death in Japan, much like the way black is in the United States.


• Items or brands largly available in Japan. It is better to give something that they have not heard of or cannot buy in Japan easily.

Another hint: Take the time to wrap your gift(s). Your host family will apreciate the beautiful wrapping and it will make a simple gift a little more special.

Please enjoy your host stay and good luck in finding the perfect host family gifts. If you have suggestions or ideas, post them in a comment below. Thanks!

Thoughts in teapots,

~Hannah Hoo