I am going to japan next march and i dont know how much money to offer to friend for letting me stay?

Question:

me and my husband are going to stay with my friend and her mum, and i don't know how much money to offer, or of this is going to be offencive to them as i don't really know what to expect from there and i don't want them to be out of pocket for having us

is it more expensive in japan and is it customary to give people money when yo stay with them for a holiday, we are going for 3 weeks and i expect sometimes they will be coking us meals and eating out, what is a average price for a meal eating out

thank you for your help

xxx vici

Answer:

Hi Vici, first of all I'm assuming that your friends are Japanese. In Japan there are a lot of rules and customs which help navigate most social situations, and generally money is not given as a gift there except perhaps in a small envelope for certain occasions. I'd say it is much more acceptable to give a gift, or several gifts which may include taking them for a meal out. When you give them the gift, make sure you offer it with both hands, and it's polite to be humble about it by saying something like "tsumarani mono desu ga..." (which roughly means 'It's only a small thing, but please accept it').

As far as I can remember the cost per person for a really nice meal with a few drinks was about 4000 yen (approx £40), but I guess that will vary greatly depending on where you go.

I'd suggest for gifts that you bring them something from home that may be expensive or difficult to get in Japan (whiskey is popular there- maybe a nice bottle of Scotch or Irish whiskey, depending on whether they drink?), maybe a little framed print or painting of somewhere in your home country, or ask around when you get there for good confectioners as there are some excellent beautifully boxed sweets you can get in Japan!

Hope this helps.


P.S. Japan is as cheap or expensive as you want to make it, within reason. I'd say prices are similar to London. Tokyo can be quite expensive, especially in Ginza, wheras in more rural areas it's much more affordable. You can always eat in McDonalds or small street stalls for cheaper food, and a lot of restaurants will have a set menu for about 600 yen which usually contains something like grilled fish, big portion of rice, miso soup and green tea, plus little pickles/salad or other small side dish.