JET Program Vlog #19 - omiyage おみやげ -bringing gifts to Japan

One of the biggest concerns some new JETs have is over bringing gifts for their new co-workers. These gifts are often called omiyage, but true omiyage are gifts you give after you take a trip away from work for a few days; not really as an introduction present.

But many JETs feel obligated to bring something from their home country to give to the Japanese people they'll be working with.
I discuss what I brought back in 2004.

I also mention that you should try to bring fun stickers from your home country. Unless you're teaching at high school, stickers are the coin of the realm - you'll use them all the time, especially at shogakko.

here is a link to the store of the very nice woman who I buy my stickers from on Ebay - she has very reasonable shipping rates to Japan:
http://stores.ebay.com/Fun-For-Kids

My kids love the glow-in-the-dark stickers, scratch-and-sniff stickers, and all the fun American characters I have, since you just can't get them in Japan.

If you ever want to thank me for all these vlogs, I'd love some stickers (or "seals" as they are called in Japan)! :)

More soon - thanks for watching!
-Jason

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• おみやけ
• しまね
• たいしゃ
• Jason
• JET
• program
• programme
• ALT
• Shimane
• omiyage
• stickers

[106460]

kitchy?  chinsey?

what are those words you use at 2:44 ?

[myargonauts]

yep - kitschy and chintzy

[DaddyRossPreschool]

I was wondering if you have an ecomerce in ebay or in another site who sells stickers/notebook/etc from JAPAN to the rest of the world.

[myargonauts]

you want to buy stuff from Japan? The best website I've seen (and bought from) is jbox(dot)com

try that and see if they have what you're looking for.

[Earmark]

I can see stickers being all well and good for junior high or elementary, but what do you bring for high schoolers??

[myargonauts]

if you're thinking of things to give as prizes in class, then school related stuff, like erasers and souvenir pencils work well. Of course, I even give high schoolers stickers when I occasionally visit and they usually laugh and enjoy getting them since it's so unusual. :)

[106460]

thank you!

I am studying English.

I enjoy your videos very much!

[OhMySavy]

A bento is a lunchbox.

[DaddyRossPreschool]

Exactly! I am going insane with all the "weird and fun " (as they call them)gadgets to make Bentos!!!

Bento means a light supper?

Can be cold or hot?

[myargonauts]

haha - yes! And they were delicious! :P