⚡ The Short Version
- Bring omiyage from your hometown
- Give and receive with both hands
- Avoid combs, knives, handkerchiefs, sets of 4/9
- Wrap it or use a nice bag
- Give at the beginning of a visit
Visiting without a gift is rude in Japan.
Bring regional sweets or small items. Even cookies are fine.
Handing a bare item seems careless.
Use gift wrapping or a nice bag. Department stores wrap for free.
One-hand giving is disrespectful.
Use both hands. Bow slightly when presenting.
Combs (suffering), knives (severing ties), handkerchiefs (tears), 4/9 (death/suffering).
Choose food, sweets, tea, or small items. Avoid anything bladed.
Expensive gifts create obligation. Cheap seems thoughtless.
Casual: 1,000-3,000 yen. Business: 3,000-5,000 yen.
Gifts should be given at the beginning, not the end.
Present within first 10-15 minutes. Say "tsumaranai mono desu ga".
Recipients may refuse 1-2 times before accepting. Not rejection — modesty.
Gently insist. The back-and-forth is normal. They will accept.