The art of gift-giving in Japan extends far beyond mere exchanges of presents—it’s an intricate dance of social bonds woven into the fabric of daily life. While elaborate traditions like oseibo and ochugen carry deep cultural significance, I’ve found myself drawn to the beautifully accessible concept of “temiyage.” This thoughtful practice, which literally means “a gift that can be held by a hand,” embodies the everyday grace of Japanese gift-giving culture. Like a master key, temiyage opens doors to countless social situations: it can express everything from a warm greeting to heartfelt gratitude, or even serve as a gentle way to convey an apology. Picture arriving at someone’s home with a carefully chosen box of wagashi (traditional sweets), creating an instant moment of connection as host and guest share these delicate treats together. Or imagine being the new family on the block, presenting your neighbors with useful household items—a gesture that transforms strangers into community. In its essence, temiyage isn’t just about the gift itself; it’s about creating moments of human connection, one thoughtfully chosen present at a time.
With the concept of temiyage in mind, I offer you my annual holiday gift guide.
First up is Sugarwish, which embodies the Japanese concept of ‘konomi‘ (preference). This WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise transforms your gift-giving from guesswork to guaranteed delight, putting the power of choice in your recipient’s hands. With a simple email, text, or shareable link, you’ll instantly send them on a personalized shopping adventure through their Custom Sugarwish experience. Choose which premium categories to include—from classic candies and fresh-baked cookies to artisanal coffees, sophisticated teas, craft cocktail mixers, aromatic candles, and gourmet popcorn—then let your recipient select exactly what they love. Each thoughtfully chosen item arrives beautifully packaged and ships directly to their door, making Sugarwish the perfect solution for creating memorable gifting moments without ever second-guessing their preferences. (https://sugarwish.com/)
Inspired by the Zen idea of living in the moment, Buddha Board Art Sets allow users to create beautiful works of art using only water, a bamboo brush, and a special palette. The images fade away as they draw highlighting the temporal beauty of presence and allow the artist to achieve mindfulness. (http://www.buddhaboard.com/)
Inspired by the impeccable desserts offered in Japan’s stunning capital city, Harney & Sons “Tokyo” is a delightful green tea blend. With a base of sencha, the savory flavors of toasted sesame seeds and a swirl of sweet caramel are added, resulting in a smooth and refreshing brew that’s just desserty enough to be indulgent in the best way. Especially delicious, it is enjoyed plain so that the dual flavors of sesame and caramel can shine. (https://www.harney.com/products/tokyo)
Kikori Whiskey (https://www.kikoriwhiskey.com/)
If your recipients enjoy whiskeys, Kikori Whiskey founder, Ann Soh Woods (one of the few AAPI women founders in the spirits industry!), has created one of the first whiskeys distilled from 100% locally grown rice and pristine water in an ideal climate with volcanic topography in Kumamoto, Japan.
Hinoki Leaf Incense from POJ Studio (https://pojstudio.com/products/leaf-incense-hinoki)
Founded in 2020, POJ Studio (Pieces of Japan) is the creation of designer Tina Koyama, who works closely with Japanese craftspeople to showcase handmade crafts online and create a sustainable way for these skilled artisans to continue their work. One lovely item offered by POJ Studio is Hinoki Leaf Incense from Kyoto, Japan. Each pack contains five handcrafted incense leaves and an inflammable mat, wrapped in 100% plastic-free packaging. Note: POJ Studio is currently hosting a pop-up in Los Angeles through the end of January 2025.
Topdrawer Abbey Wallet (https://topdrawershop.com/products/abbey-wallet)
I love the Topdrawer Abbey Wallet, crafted for durability and organization. Offered in a variety of colors, with two layers of organic cotton and a double wax coating, it’s rugged and weather resistant. Inside, find an internal divider and hidden pocket for easy access. Ready for any adventure, it’s simple, sturdy, and practical. This appreciation stems from my family’s visit to Japan earlier this year. We fell in love with Japanese stationery, pens, notebooks, and accessories. Our favorite store, Itoya, in the heart of Tokyo’s fashionable Ginza neighborhood, is an eight-story beacon with amazing goods. In the United States, Itoya subsidiary, Topdrawer, does its parent proud!
That’s a “wrap” on this year’s gift guide (see what I did there?)! Speaking of which, for an extra touch, consider wrapping your gifts in furoshiki, or a piece of cloth. Not only is it a beautiful way to package your gifts, it is also sustainable! Furoshiki come in a variety of styles and designs – some are quite expensive and elaborate. But, really, any type of cloth will do and it will be appreciated by your recipient.
Please note: I have no financial interest at stake here. The gift ideas I share are simply products that I love and believe have a nice relationship-related component. Happy shopping. Happy Networking!