Omiyage, [oh-mee-YAH-geh] noun: the Japanese word for small gifts, usually edible, purchased for friends and co-workers while on a trip.
Unlike in the Western world, where souvenirs are thoughtful but not expected, in Japanese culture buying omiyage is not optional. But there is an upside to this obligation: receiving omiyage in return, and with it a tasty peek into someone else's travels.
In Japan, every region is known for a food specialty of some kind. The small city I lived in, Ogaki, was famed for its delicious and abundant groundwater, so a water-infused red bean jelly called mizu-yokan might be a typical omiyage purchased by visitors. Figuring out each place's specialty and then buying a box of it to share with my co-workers was one of my favorite aspects of traveling in Japan.
But even better was coming into work on Monday morning to find an array of perfectly wrapped treats on my desk, small tastes of the places my fellow teachers had visited over the weekend. I asked questions about unfamiliar snacks, which led to interesting conversations about food and travel. I learned so much from omiyage — not only about, say, the history of rice crackers, but also about my co-workers, their lives and the wonderfully food-centric culture they lived in.
Have you ever received omiyage? Is there a regional food specialty where you live?
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im japanese living in tokyo. one of the japanese culture "omiyage" was well described here!! great work!!
I'd give you a jar of fried peanuts that local churches make for Christmas.
We were happy to learn about Sees candy when a CA friend made the trip back home.
Though we have Sees here too now.
It is nice when things are really regional and exciting to find.
My mom went to Turkey and she brought me a box of Turkish Delight. I was delighted. Then she began telling me how wonderful the kebobs and pitas and local cuisine was and how it was the best trip ever and I just felt like yeah thanks for the nougats. Thanks a lot...
The towers of sour-dough bread that I see in every airport gift shop at SFO (San Francisco's Airport) come to mind. The bread shaped like turtles and crabs always makes me smile.
Omiyage are better translated as "souvenirs", and they are optional in some situations and less so in others. They also are often, but not always food. People have been known to bring back toothpaste, deodorant, and even shampoo, for instance.
People who take time off from work and inconvenience coworkers are obliged to bring back gifts almost as a way of saying, "sorry, I left you behind to deal with everything". Students who travel abroad are not. Age also factors into it as income is related to it in the seniority-based pay system. Older folks are more obliged than younger ones to provide gifts.
I've lived in Japan for 22 years, and received plenty of omiyage. I also blog about Japanese snacks including omiyage. Some of the ones I have received as well as purchases are written about here on my blog:
http://japanesesnackreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/souvenir
great post! i'm living in tokyo and most of my coworkers bring omiyage only when they visit "home." i've had great polvoron from the Philippines, maple cookies from Canada, and mini snickers from the US!
Like Orchid64 said, it's not always food. Toiletries, towels, etc. are also acceptable. Since gift giving is so ingrained into the culture and most people feel obligated to provide something, they usually end up being something practical or use-up-able (like food), rather than a knick knack, so as not to clutter up their lives.
Tokyo Banana!! The packaging paper is gorgeous, frame-worthy, even. The treats are little more than glorified twinkies, but still... glorious!