The way to one’s heart is through their stomach! Now, food items are among the most popular forms of omiyage. Apart from the colourful packaging and handy displays that show us what the snacks would actually look like, most omiyage goodies are also packed individually, making them handy for distributing amongst friends and colleagues. Food items are also easy forms of association with the specific regions or prefectures visited, such as apples from Aomori, koshihikari rice from Niigata, and beni imo (紅芋 purple sweet potato) from Okinawa. Then there are snacks whose brand images are so powerful that it’s almost impossible to imagine flying out of Japan without them. Take the Tokyo Banana from Tokyo Station and the Shiroi Koibito chocolate from Hokkaido for instance—both snacks are so synonymous with their regions of origin that almost none of my friends can leave the airport without smuggling a box or two in their hand-carry luggage. And honestly, virtually nothing ever tastes bad from Japan so getting a food omiyage is as fuss-free as a gift can be!

‘Tis the season! Did you really visit the transient cherry blossoms in April if you’re not getting your hands on a sakura-special omiyage? With Japan’s four major seasons of spring, summer, autumn, winter (and multiple sub-seasons), buying a seasonal omiyage brings more meaning to your brief but fun exchange in Japan. It definitely also keeps things interesting for your friends and family, especially if you are someone who visits Japan multiple times in a year. For instance, let’s say you’re planning to get a really nice Imabari towel from Imabari in Ehime and it just so happens to be autumn. Why get an ordinary Imabari towel when you can get a Imabari towel decorated with a fall foliage motif instead? And with variety comes innovation—shops and department stores (and even companies like Starbucks) in Japan often compete with each other when it comes to selling the next trendy, seasonal items, so rest assured that you will be spoilt for choices.

Get crafty! Last but certainly not the least, if you find that snacks aren’t the way to your loved ones’ hearts, perhaps it’s better to get something a little more special—crafted—just for them. Personally for me, receiving local and/or traditional handicrafts as omiyage, especially if they’re handmade (bonus if they serve a purpose beyond aesthetic means) shows me the thoughtfulness and effort that was put into getting the omiyage by the giver—better yet if they were made by the giver! Local handicrafts can range from something as simple as bamboo chopsticks made in Kyoto to a lavish artisan-made wajimanuri lacquerware from Ishikawa. Be warned though, as some of these exquisite handicrafts do carry a hefty price tag, but understandably so—traditional craft in Japan has a long and rich history, and many of the craftsmen put in a lot of work and dedication in their work, so you can be sure that these handicrafts are worth the damage incurred.

And if all else fails, an omamori—served to “protect” your loved one—from a famous local shrine will do just the trick!

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Omiyage 101：日本的送禮文化

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