AboutRobert Expertise General questions about tourism/travel and life in Japan, including shopping, visa issues, culture-shock, finding accommodations and employment, proper cultural etiquette, and common problems ex-pats in Japan experience. Bachelors Degree in Japanese Culture and Masters Degree in Marketing.
We are travelling to Fukuoka in March. Part of our stay will be with a host family. Any idea on small gifts that might be appreciated by the homestay family. We don't know anything about them.
Also, what is the best way to take our yen over? I've heard that credit cards and travellers cheques cause problems.
Mike
Answer Hi Mike,
I am glad you asked me this. Your question on credit cards
has come up before and even some of the experts on this forum
give out the wrong answer. While Japan is still very much a
cash based society, the reply that credit cards and T/Cs
are very problematic or even useless is simply obsolete and
erroneous.
You don't say how long you'll be staying or how much money you plan to bring with you, but the more money you bring,
the more traveller's checks are a good idea -- for the
simple fact that if they are lost, they can be replaced
quickly. With cash, it's gone. The only drawback with
T/Cs in Japan is that is can take a while, like 10-20
minutes to cash them. That little bank nearby might not be
able to handle T/Cs, but since you are going to Fukuoka,
any large bank downtown (in Fukuoka City, in Tenjin or
near Hakata Station), or any large post office can handle
your T/Cs fine. The post office will give you a slightly
better exchange rate.
If you only plan to bring a few hundred dollars in cash,
then maybe T/Cs aren't critical. But that is definitely
not too much to bring. If you plan on buying anything
in Japan at all, then I would recommend you bring more,
or at least have it ready in your bank account. Having a
credit card with you is a very good safety measure in case
of an emergency or you find something you just have to buy.
The cost of public transportation and other nickle and dime items can also add up.
You can get a list of typical Japanese prices at
Price Check Tokyo at http://www.pricechecktokyo.com
You can also see what Japanese money looks like at http://www.geocities.com/ropponmatsu/japanfaq1b.html
Note that you can not use
1 or 5 yen coins in vending machines and phones.
You can use a credit card or ATM card if it's in the VISA Electron, Maestro Network, Plus or Cirrus networks (look
for the symbol on the back of the card) at any Japanese post office ATM. For retail, credit cards in Japan are accepted in
department stores, large retail outlets, and places that
deal with a lot of tourists. If you go out to the sticks
then yes, credit cards are not much use to you.
You can use a credit card at many different locations. For a Visa card go to http://visaatm.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENT_ID=VISA_USA&LOCATOR=VISA_USA&TYPE=...
and enter Fukuoka to find what ATMs you can use. For Master Card and others with the Cirrus or Maestro mark try http://www.mastercard.com/cardholderservices/atm/
American Express might have some info too so you might look at their website. Assuming you find the machine you want, the pin number should work the same. Ask an attendent to help you if you need it. Note though that except in central Tokyo and a few other places, Japanese cash machines are not open 24 hours.
For gifts, generally you want to bring something that represents where you are from. Maybe bring a small gift for each member of the family, and one gift for the family as
a whole. Nothing extremely expensive is necessary.
They will also return the favor and if you give very
expensive gifts it puts the pinch on them to give
something of equal or slightly higher value.
Some small picture books or calendars, posters,
ashtrays, chocolates, fragrant bath salts, t-shirts or
pens/pencils with famous animation characters (except
Mickey Mouse or Snoopy, which they have in abundance),
liquor, US BBQ sauces or salad dressings like Ranch,
pure maple or berry syrups, colognes (they have major
French brands, but no US ones like White Diamonds),
jams or other preserves, baseball caps, coasters, nice
soap or shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, cologne, cornnuts,
air fresheners, American rice (*not* converted rice like Uncle Ben's), large container of nuts, etc. would be
great.
Be aware though that in Japan 4 and 9 are "unlucky"
numbers, and especially older Japanese tend to be
superstitious, -- avoid giving any sets of 4 or 9.
Also a video of US TV, or MTV, or cassette tapes of Top
40 radio (Japanese radio is just awful) are good. Of
course, where possible, avoiding very fragile and very
heavy objects is desirable.
It is very likely that your family will treat you very
well if not lavishly, especially when you first arrive,
such as taking you to some expensive restaurants, so make
sure to bring something more formal to wear.
A compact umbrella would be a good idea also. For Fukuoka
in March, there is a good chance you will be able to see
the cherry blossoms come out, which is always a big annual
event in Japan.
A few websites with some info well worth reading before
the trip are:
And if you get hopelessly lost, which is very easy in
Japan, it is better to find some older school or college
age students and *write out* your questions. Japanese
are still very poor at speaking English but are often
glad to help you out if you lose your way.
Try and go to at least one hot spring (called onsen)
while you're there. They are all over the country.
See http://dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/Japan/Travel_and_Tourism/Hot_Springs
for more info and guides. They range from free
to very high at hot spring resort hotels.
You host family should know of some nearby.
I lived in Fukuoka for several years so I am quite
familiar with the area.
If you don't have one yet, I recommend you get a good
digital camera for your trip, since you can take lots
of photos, e-mail them to friends (even while in Japan)
and will be a treasure for you to remember your trip in
the years ahead.
