お土産(みやげ)

おみやげ
noun
souvenir; gift (from travels)
1. souvenir, gift from travels
A present bought while traveling to give to friends, family, or colleagues.
京都(きょうと)のお土産(みやげ)を買(か)った。
I bought souvenirs from Kyoto.
お土産(みやげ)に何(なに)がいいですか。
What would be good as a souvenir?
職場(しょくば)へのお土産(みやげ)を選(えら)ぶ。
To choose souvenirs for the workplace.
旅行(りょこう)に行(い)ったら、会社(かいしゃ)の人(ひと)にお土産(みやげ)を買(か)うのが普通(ふつう)だ。
When you go on a trip, it's normal to buy souvenirs for your coworkers.
北海道(ほっかいどう)のお土産(みやげ)は種類(しゅるい)が多(おお)くて、何(なに)を買(か)えばいいか迷(まよ)った。
There were so many types of Hokkaido souvenirs that I couldn't decide what to buy.

お土産(みやげ) refers to gifts brought back from trips.

Cultural note: In Japan, it's customary to bring お土産(みやげ) for coworkers, friends, and family after traveling. This is an important social obligation.

Types

  • Often local specialties (特産品(とくさんひん)) of the destination
  • Food items are very common (sweets, snacks)
  • Usually individually packaged for easy distribution at work

Related

Related Words

Related: 土産(みやげ) (same word without honorific お)
Related: 名物(めいぶつ) (local specialty)
Compare: プレゼント (present, gift)
Compare: 粗品(そしな) (small gift)
Compare: 贈答品(ぞうとうひん) (gift)
Compare: 土産物(みやげもの) (souvenir)
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
01000/01353_omiyage