Omiyage: A Thoughtful Gesture to Share Your Travels

Returning home from a business trip or holiday abroad often brings back fond memories of new experiences, cultural encounters, and culinary delights. But what better way to share these cherished moments with your loved ones and colleagues than by bringing back a little piece of your travels? This is where the Japanese tradition of omiyage comes into play. This blog will tell you what is a good omiyage as well as provide useful phrases!

A Quick Jump To…

• What is Omiyage?
• Bringing Omiyage to Your Team
• Useful Phrases When Giving Omiyage
• Omiyage Recommendations
• Where can you buy souvenirs in Tokyo?
• FAQ

What is Omiyage?

お土産 Omiyage, meaning “souvenir” or “gift,” is a deeply ingrained custom in Japanese culture. It’s a thoughtful gesture of appreciation and a way to share your travel experiences with those who couldn’t be there with you. Omiyage can range from edible treats and local delicacies to small trinkets and souvenirs representing the place you visited.

Bringing Omiyage to Your Work Colleagues

Gift-giving is a deeply ingrained cultural practice in Japan, serving as a way to express gratitude and respect and strengthen relationships. In the workplace, exchanging gifts among colleagues is not only common but also expected. These omiyage are typically small, thoughtful tokens representing the giver’s appreciation for their colleagues’ support and hard work.

Sharing omiyage with your team is a wonderful way to strengthen bonds, foster camaraderie, and express gratitude for their support during your absence from work. It’s a simple gesture that goes a long way in building a positive and cohesive work environment.

Useful Phrases When Giving Omiyage

For Coworkers

• 出張先のお土産です。どうぞ召し上がってください。Shutchōsaki no odosandesu. Dōzo meshiagatte kudasai. – This is a souvenir from my business trip. Please enjoy it.
• 旅行先で～さんに、と思って、買って参りました。よかったらどうぞ。Ryokō-saki de —san ni, to omotte katte mairi mashita. Yokattara dōzo. – I bought this back from my trip because I thought of you. Please enjoy it if you like.
• いつもお世話になっています。これ、お礼の気持ちです。Itsumo osewa ni natte imasu. Kore, orei no kimochi desu. – Thank you for your help. I gave you this as a token of my appreciation.
• たいしたものではないですが、どうぞお受け取りください。Taishita mono dewa nai desuga, dōzo ouketori kudasai. – This is just a small souvenir, but please accept it.
• これからもどうぞよろしくお願いします。Korekara mo douzo yoroshikuonegaishimasu. – Thank you for everything. I look forward to working with you again in the future.

For Your Boss

• 出張先のお土産です。お納めください。Shutchōsaki no omiyage desu. Oosame kudasai. – This is a souvenir from my business trip. Please accept it.”
• 旅行先で～さんに、と思って、買って参りました。お仕事の疲れを少しでも癒していただけたら幸いです。Ryokō-saki de omoidashite katte kaerimashita. Oshigoto no tsukare o sukoshidemo iyashite itadaketara saiwaidesu. – I bought this back from my trip because I thought of you. I hope it helps to relieve some of your work stress.
• いつもお世話になっています。これ、日頃のご指導に対する感謝の気持ちです。Itsumo osewa ni natte imasu. Kore, higoro no go shidō nitaisuru kanshanokimochi desu. – Thank you for your help. I gave you this as a token of my appreciation for your guidance.
• たいしたものではないですが、どうぞお受け取りください。Taishita mono dewa naidesuga, dōzo ouketori kudasai. – This is just a small souvenir, but please accept it.
• これからもご指導のほどよろしくお願い致します。Korekara mo go shidō no hodo yoroshikuonegaiitashimasu. – Thank you for your guidance. I look forward to your continued guidance in the future.

Check out our Pinterest to save these phrases!

Omiyage Recommendations

When selecting omiyage for your team, consider their preferences and tastes. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Sweets and Snacks

Japanese sweets are a popular omiyage choice. Consider bringing back 和菓子 wagashi aka., Japanese snacks, 餅 mochi aka., rice cakes, or individually wrapped candies. Consider bringing local snacks like dried seaweed, rice crackers, or flavored nuts for those with a savory tooth.

What we recommend!

東京バナナ Tokyo Banana

• Price range: 8 pieces – ¥1,198
• It can be found at airports, department stores, stations, expressways, and souvenir shops.

じゃがポックル Jagga Pokkuru

• Price range: 10 packs – ¥1,100
• It can be found at the Calbee store, airports, stations, expressways, and souvenir shops.

ヨックモック Yoku Moku

• Price range: 14 packs – ¥1,209
• It can be found at airports, department stores, stations, expressways, and souvenir shops.

白い恋人 Shiroi Koibito

• Price range: 12 packs – ¥950
• It can be found at Shiroi Koinito stores, airports, stations, department stores, expressways, and souvenir shops.

Royce

• Price range: one box – ¥864
• It can be found at airports, department stores, stations, expressways, and souvenir shops.

What are some other options?

• カステラ Kasutera – Castella (Sponge Cake)
• 煎餅 Senbei – Rice crackers
• わらび餅 Warabi mochi

Tea and Coffee

High-quality Japanese teas and locally roasted coffee beans are always appreciated. Consider bringing back a variety of flavors and blends to suit different tastes.

What are some of the options?

• 抹茶 Matcha
• 緑茶 Ryokucha – Green Tea
• 紅茶 Kōcha – Black Tea
• 煎茶 Sencha
• 玄米茶 Genmai cha – green tea with roasted rice
• コーヒー Kōhī – Coffee

Local Products

Locally produced items like honey, jams, or olive oil can be great omiyage choices. They represent the region’s unique flavors and make for thoughtful gifts.

Small Souvenirs

Keychains, magnets, or postcards with local landmarks or cultural motifs are simple yet meaningful omiyage options.

Omiyage To Avoid!

Choosing the right omiyage can be tricky, as you want to find something thoughtful and appropriate. Here are some additional things to avoid:

• Anything in a set of four: four is an unlucky number in Japan as is associated with death in Japanese.
• Personal items: Opt for something more general that everyone can enjoy. Avoid clothing, jewelry, or anything too personalized, as it might not be to the recipient’s taste.
• Perishable items: Unless you know the recipient will consume them immediately, avoid fresh food or items with a short shelf life.
• Anything offensive: Avoid culturally insensitive items, religious symbols, or anything that could be misconstrued as offensive.
• Used items: Omiyage should be new and unused. Giving someone a used item is considered impolite.
• Sharp objects: Scissors, knives, and other sharp objects are considered unlucky and should be avoided as omiyage.
• Items with regional limitations: If you’re traveling within Japan, be mindful of regional specialties and avoid giving something they can easily find in their hometown.
• Anything too bulky or heavy: Consider the recipient’s ability to carry the omiyage home. Choose something that’s manageable and won’t be a burden.
• Expensive gifts: They are inappropriate as they create an uncomfortable obligation for the recipient.
• Combs: Combs are considered inauspicious due to their pronunciation resembling “suffering and death.”

Remember, the most important thing is to choose something that shows you were thinking of them and that represents your trip in a meaningful way.

Where can you buy souvenirs in Tokyo?

Train station

東京駅　Tokyo Station

Location: 東京都千代田区丸の内1丁目

品川駅　Shinagawa Station

Location: 東京都港区港南二丁目1番78号

Airports

羽田空港Haneda

Location: 東京都大田区羽田空港

成田空港Narita

Location: 千葉県成田市古込１−１

Department Stores

Parco

Lumine

Atre

Seibu

(these department stores are usually located near/in the train stations)

Service Area

海老名　Ebina

Location: 神奈川県海老名市大谷南５丁目１−１

羽生 Hanyu

Location: 埼玉県羽生市弥勒 字五軒1686

Omiyage is more than just a souvenir; it symbolizes thoughtfulness and a way to connect with others. It’s a reminder that even in our busy lives, we can take a moment to appreciate the world around us and share our experiences with those we care about. So, the next time you embark on a journey, remember to bring back a little piece of your travels in the form of omiyage and spread the joy with your loved ones.

You Might Be Wondering…

When should I give omiyage?

Omiyage is typically given upon returning from a trip, whether it’s a business trip or a personal vacation. It’s a way to share your experiences and express gratitude for those who held down the fort while you were away.

How much should I spend on omiyage?

The cost of omiyage can vary depending on the item and your budget. There’s no need to overspend; even small, thoughtful gifts can be appreciated.

What if I don't know the recipient's preferences?

If you’re unsure about someone’s preferences, opt for neutral items like sweets, snacks, or tea. These are generally crowd-pleasers and make for safe choices.

How do I present omiyage?

Wrapping omiyage neatly in decorative bags or furoshiki cloths adds a touch of elegance and shows you care about the presentation.