h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Plenty of time to think about this - I need ideas for something from the UK to take to Japan.
So preferably reasonably lightweight & easy to pack.

Hmm, who's it for? There's not really a lot to go on, just that it's going to Japan. Is it family? A business acquaintance? A young married couple or a couple who've just retired and emigrated, etc etc?

It's nice to match a gift to the person it's for, if at all possible.

Does the house in question have a koi pond? If so, perhaps you could buy koi or fancy goldfish for it after you get to Japan.

Japanese houses are very small and short of space, so whatever you choose, it must be very small.

You want something very English. How about the Folio edition of The Lord of the Rings? Or a teapot with a crocheted tea cosy.

It's my son's newly built family home - large by Japanese standards. No pond, but there will in time be a garden.

Then you could bring a ceramic garden gnome.

Without knowing the recipient makes it difficult to answer, but I can at least say that I like to get gifts which can be used up; so they can be enjoyed, but then don't sit around taking up space. The perfect gift for me, abroad, would be English cheese.

Digital photo frame.

Mol

Definitely food for thought with those ideas!

Three "Flying" ceramic ducks to go on a wall?

You wanted traditional...

Is your son from the UK? I just moved abroad and I have a literary map on my wall and some Lost Destination posters. It's nice to have things that remind me of UK art styles and places I've loved. OS will print maps focused on a particular place.

Yes, he's from UK, but wife is Japanese. Might need to be two presents, one to suit each.

If it is a traditional Japanese paper house, a box of matches would make it very warm.

How about a small original painting of a scene from near you? Many small local art galleries will have reasonably priced paintings by local artists.

PP.

If we're on to the silly ones, I was going to suggest a fast-food Indian meal, or 'hurry-curry'.

Cookie jars that look like british phone booths or double decker busses.

Historical map of the British Isles - will fold or roll up small in your suitcase - look decorative on the wall.

Union Jack teapot or teacaddy. Or if space and weight allowance at a premium: Union Jack teatowel. Or, if they're that way inclined, any of the above with a cute picture of George and Charlotte.

A Toby Jug
A Union Jack umbrella
A Guide book of the area where you live (where he lived) - I did that for my kids. Good for reminiscing and finding out things you perhaps didn't know.

A book of basic British cookery. (Translated into Japanese?)

>If we're on to the silly ones>. Harumph.

Mine was only half silly.

PP.

I'm getting torn between the tasteful & the tacky!

That just about sums Japan up really. They gave us ikebana and Takeshi's castle.