(へんれいひん)

へんれいひん
noun
return gift; thank-you gift; reciprocal gift
gift-givingsociety
1. return gift; thank-you gift; reciprocal gift
A gift given in return for a gift or favor received. Most commonly refers to the thank-you gifts sent by local governments to donors in the furusato nouzei (hometown tax) system.
返礼品(へんれいひん)(えら)
To choose a return gift.
Wagyu beef arrived as a return gift from my hometown tax donation.
Local governments are soliciting donations by offering attractive return gifts.

Compound of 返礼(へんれい) (returning a courtesy, reciprocal gift) + (ひん) (item, product). While the word can refer to any reciprocal gift, it has become strongly associated with Japan's ふるさと納税(のうぜい) (hometown tax donation) system.

Cultural note

In the ふるさと納税(のうぜい) system, taxpayers can donate to any local government in Japan and receive tax deductions plus 返礼品(へんれいひん) — often local specialty products like premium beef, seafood, rice, or fruit. This system has become enormously popular, and browsing 返礼品(へんれいひん) catalogs is a common year-end activity.

Common collocations

Similar words