Living Tips and Japanese Customs (Japanese Gift Giving Customs [Oseibo and Ochugen Gifts])

In Japan, it's customary to give gifts periodically to people such as co-workers, bosses, relatives, teachers, friends, and so on. These gifts are given to express gratitude. The end of year gifts are called oseibo and the midsummer gifts are ochugen. Department stores display many types and sets of oseibo/ochugen gifts at the end of the year and in midsummer.


Most people have the store deliver the gifts. You can even order oseibo/ochugen gifts at post offices or convenience stores in Japan. It's also common for people to bring their gifts in person. Oseibo are usually sent from early to mid December, and it's best to be delivered by the 20th of December. Despite it's timing, oseibo gifts are different from Christmas gifts. Ochugen gifts are usually sent from early to mid July.


The cost of a gift ranges from 3,000 yen to about 20,000 yen, and the average is about 5,000 yen. Popular items are ham, cooking oil, gift certificates, beer, canned food, coffee, seasonings, seaweed, seafood, fruits, and so on. The type and cost of gifts depend on your relationship with the recipient. Usually, people give the most expensive gifts to their bosses at work.


On each gift, the giver needs to put a thin paper called noshi, on which the word "oseibo" or "ochugen" is written.