Gifting is taken very seriously in Japan, something you’ll know if you’ve ever visited a Japanese airport or train station where the usual array of sunglasses and intoxicating liquids is overshadowed by shops that exclusively sell pre-gift wrapped boxes of sweets and other tokens of gratitude and respect, to be exchanged with your host, business contact or family.

Omiyage are the souvenirs or gifts you bring with you from a trip, while temiyage tend to be tokens of gratitude for a host. The giving and receiving of both requires that you give the gift your full attention (which is pretty good manners whatever culture you’re in) while making appreciative noises.

A Niwaki Tripod Ladder would be a pretty extravagant omiyage gift (and a devil to fit in your hand luggage) but there are plenty of other opportunities – birthdays, anniversaries etc. – where it might be more appropriate. The next time you’re stuck for inspiration have a scroll through our gift edit which is full of useful, long-lasting and stylish tools and accessories from Japan.