We just moved into a Japanese house/neighborhood. We gave the gifts to our neighbors that we were told to give. I think we are the only Americans in this area. We have one neighbor that keeps bringing us fruit from her parents farm. We love the fruit but what I am wondering is she expecting us to give her something in return every time she brings us something. I do not mind I just want to know if that is wha is expected and if so what is the expected turn around time on bringing her something. We did make her some homeade bruchetta the first time she brought us something.

Hahaha.....your post makes me laugh, because we did the whole "back and forth, back and forth" gift giving with our neighbor, too! I thought it would never end! They always brought us such delicious fruit, and we all know how expensive fruit can be here in Japan. We always felt bad because our return gift never seemed to stack up, but they were always appreciated. I think buying them a/thing that they can't get here in Japan will please your neighbor. Don't go overboard on the return gift because it could go on for awhile (like it did w/ us!). But, it was nice while it lasted and eventually came to an end. Have fun with it and be thankful that you have really nice neighbors! Our other neighbors didn't even bother to come over to say thank you or return a gift after we gave them a really nice gift when we got here.....not that we expected a return gift, but it would have been nice if they came over to introduce the rest of the family to us like our neighbors did across the street. I just think some families are more private and shy than others.

We moved into our home off base about 3 weeks ago and so far it's still going! Lol! I love it! We moved in, gave them Downy, kitchen towels and Herseys chocolate bars, then we got vegetables in return, we BBQ and share, then we get more vegetables and fruits! We brought a watermelon home and shared with the kids, we get more blueberries and plums... We'll see what's next. Lol! But the thing is that although we don't understand moat of what we say to each other, and vice versa, we spend time with each other and I think both sides enjoy it. My husband has helped the fix their American grill and they've helped with our yard. It's really awesome! At night my son calls from his balcony down to theirs, "oyasuminasai!" and the little ones next door giggle and try to say "good night." It's so "kawaii!"

I made brownies for the watermelon. Now another neighbor has brought us soy beans and watermelon.
What type of gifts do they like to get? I need some idea's. I donot want to keep bringing them junk food. (brownies, cookies etc..) some have small kids so I was thinking buying a box of popsicles to share with all the kids. It seems they play out side friday night when I gte home from work.

Posted By Tricia on 07-25-2011 7:30 PM
I made brownies for the watermelon. Now another neighbor has brought us soy beans and watermelon.
What type of gifts do they like to get? I need some idea's. I donot want to keep bringing them junk food. (brownies, cookies etc..) some have small kids so I was thinking buying a box of popsicles to share with all the kids. It seems they play out side friday night when I gte home from work.

S/thing my students love is Taco Bell.  So, around the holidays or for their birthday, I usually get a little gift bag or basket together and fill it with taco shells, salsa, chips, etc from the commissary.  They love it. 

as you know , there is no oven in typical japanese house, we don't cook sweets at home
if we want some sweets, buy some .
so , yes.. brownies , pies etc... american homemade sweets is excellent gift for japanese


when I went to WachingtonDC, I bought some "space food" at smithonian
i gave friends . they love it

thanks so much. I do not have an oven but I have one I can use at my work so I will keep on baking for them. So is food the best gift?

If you have any other idea's that would be great!

Thanks for your great stories. It reminds me of when we lived in the cho in Sasebo. Our cho, like so many has a little liquor store. One night, we walked up to get a few beers and ended up talking for hours with the neighbors drinking beer and saki.

Take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy life outside the base gates. Back here in the United States, far too many people are too busy to get to know their neighbors.

lol these posts are too funny. I am a fan of the fall scented candles (bath and body works). Would this be a ok gift ya think?