Canadian Souvenir Ideas

This post is for anyone coming to Japan from Canada, and is trying to brainstorm souvenirs to bring over. This is probably be a tad late, considering that new JET’s are already coming over…but there are still 2 more groups that might be showing up in late Aug- early Sept. In Japanese culture, every time you go on a trip (out of town) and people know it they expect omiyage (souvenirs). Doesn’t have to be big, it can be a small treat if anything…but it gets pricey. So after a while it’s good to develop the skill of secrecy and limitation when going abroad.

Canadian National Anthem poster.
Courtesy of Heritage Canada. Placed this outside of my class for all kids to see
…also because I ran out of room in my class.

 

Thinking of Canada we think, smoked salmon, maple syrup, ice wine…polar bears and Eskimos. Funny enough, smoked salmon and Canadian maple syrup can be found here in most Japanese grocery stores. So if you didn’t bring enough and need more, you could always head to the grocery store here and pick something up.

Summer in Japan is hot and humid, so anything chocolate will melt. Best to go with solids like cookies. The usual, and most common are maple syrup cream cookies, or now in butter shortbread style with maple crunch.

Maple syrup cookies, with cream or shortbread style.

I’m not sure how long these were around, I just stumbled upon them in stores: Ice Wine flavored cookies! Cheaper than actually buying bottles of ice wine. Not sure how they taste, but they’re perfect as I know many of my teachers enjoy drinking.

Ice Wine cookies.

Other typical Canadian omiyage are maple syrup candies. There are small, individually packed candies ranging from the size of cough drops, to lollipops. My only note on this is that yes, they do melt but slowly, not as fast as chocolate. So long as you pass it out asap, it will be okay.

Maple syrup lollipops,

and maple flavor coffee for coffee lovers.

Postcards are also another good omiyage idea, and they don’t take up much room in the suitcase. It’s always visually pleasant to see something different in the world. They also make great greeting cards. I used a bunch for souvenirs, and also as good-bye greeting cards. Give it an extra touch by attaching a pin to it, or complimenting it with a small treat.

 

 

Canadian Souvenir for the classroom…

Before I came to Japan last year I explored every option I could for souvenirs, or materials I could use for teaching. Take everything possible, and don’t forget to pass out your thank you’s to those that helped (I.e. follow up thank you email).MP’s and Mayors: Sometimes have pins they could offer. Mayors sometimes could offer city pins and MP’s for Canada pins. I must say, after getting a collection when I first came Burnaby has the best design! And my students just love it! Go Burnaby!! My MP’s office also passed me teaching material on the Canadian parliament and included an official Canadian flag. This was all before the economy got hit. Now everyone is tight on budget and are giving out in limited numbers, but 30 is still better than nothing 🙂 .

Heritage Canada: They’re actually only suppose to be giving out promo items for promoting within Canada. I did try to ask if they had anything I could use for my classroom, I was willing to use anything. I got a few beautiful posters on Canadian flags, old contest promo posters, and information books. I plan to use it all!

Posters of various Canadian flags throughout time.

Heritage Canada Poster Contest.

Wine bar in Fukuoka

Before leaving for vacation, for one of my best gal-pal’s birthday I took her to a kimono shop and wine bar, Yumekichi Wine.

Outside Yumekichi Wine.

 

It was last minute luck, because we really wanted to go out, have a couple drinks, and just relax. But we were picky…we didn’t want beer, or have the usual sake or shochu…we were feeling classy tonight and wanted wine. I was lucky to come across an article in the Fukuoka Now Magazine! We were in even more luck as we found out it was about 10 minutes away from my friend’s house.

Situated along the river side.
Great view if you sit at the bar.

Yumekichi Wine

The interior ambiance was beautiful. The soft-lighting and candles made it intimate yet chic. Seating was limited to the bar, one high top table area, and one lounge. One side of the room had this huge wine cabinet, with glasses hung or sitting on shelves.

Not only a wine shop, it’s also a kimono shop. The bartenders and employees all wore yukatas (men and women), and they advertised for yukata and kimono rentals. But probably the best thing about this place was the fact that no one smoked!

Complimentary appy’s.
Smoked cheese, raisins, and smoked meat.

 

4 Wine Tasting Special

The drink menu was written on a glass window, while our menu was written in beautiful calligraphy on heavy duty rice paper.

The special is 2500 yen for tasting 4 different wines, your choice of either 4 reds or 4 whites. Sorry, no mix and matches. Both my friend and I ordered a set of each to share as we munched on appetizers and complementary nibbles.

4 Wine tasting.

 

Everything tasted really good and went well with the wines! Things that I never knew that could be paired. Like certain traditional Japanese pickled vegetables, etc. And the shop owner was a wine connoisseur herself! It was really cool to watch her professionally taste wine in her yukata. Everyone there was pretty chill, and it seemed that many of them were regular customers…or maybe it’s because the staff there really make you feel at home, as if you really were on the set of “Cheers”, where everybody knows your name.I think I found my new favorite hang out. Cheers! *clink!*