The Japanese love to give gifts—not just on special occasions but also for no reason at all. This warm and generous custom sees people exchanging small gifts throughout the year, often leading to a cycle of reciprocal giving. Gifts can be as simple as extra produce from the market, homegrown flowers, or homemade food.
It is customary and considered polite to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home. Ideally, the gift should be perishable, such as fruit, quality wine, sweets, tea, or jam. This prevents the host from feeling obligated to display the item on future visits, especially if it’s something they may not particularly like.
For foreign visitors, a gift from their homeland is especially valued. A small souvenir, such as a cute animal mascot or a tea towel featuring famous sights, will be greatly appreciated.
Presentation is also important. Gifts should be carefully wrapped in quality paper, adorned with bows or ribbons, and made to look almost too beautiful to open. In many cases, the recipient may wait until the giver has left before unwrapping it. Be mindful of colour choices, as certain colours carry strong superstitions in Japan. Black and white together are associated with funerals and should be avoided. Likewise, flowers such as lilies, lotus blossoms, and camellias are linked to funerals, while red Christmas cards are considered inappropriate, as funeral notices are often printed on red paper.
There are also superstitions surrounding specific gifts. When giving money, always place it in an envelope and ensure the total is an odd number. Avoid giving items in sets of four or nine, as these numbers are considered unlucky. Potted plants are believed to bring illness, while scissors and clocks are associated with ending friendships and should also be avoided.
Gift-giving in Japan often leads to a cycle of increasingly generous exchanges. It is common for a recipient to return a gift of higher value than what they received, and this exchange may continue for several rounds, with each gift surpassing the last.
The act of giving and receiving is more important than the gift itself. When presenting a gift, both parties exchange bows, and the recipient is expected to show great appreciation, often complimenting the wrapping. Gifts should be received with both hands, and a polite display of gratitude is essential. It is customary to refuse the gift once or twice before accepting it, as a way of appearing humble. If a gift is not wrapped, extra attention should be given to admiring the item.
In cases where a gift is given to someone who is unwell or as a wedding gift, it is common for the recipient to send a return gift worth about half the value of the original gift.
In business settings, it is best to avoid gifts with company logos, as they may seem promotional and insincere. The gift should be of good quality but not overly extravagant. It is ideal to present it during the first meeting to establish goodwill. A gift from your home country, such as a bottle of wine or something unique to your culture, will be highly appreciated.
