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.
返礼品を選ぶ。
To choose a return gift.
ふるさと納税の返礼品で和牛が届いた。
Wagyu beef arrived as a return gift from my hometown tax donation.
自治体は魅力的な返礼品を用意して寄付を募っている。
Local governments are soliciting donations by offering attractive return gifts.
Compound of 返礼 (returning a courtesy, reciprocal gift) + 品 (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 (hometown tax donation) system.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
In the ふるさと納税 system, taxpayers can donate to any local government in Japan and receive tax deductions plus 返礼品 — often local specialty products like premium beef, seafood, rice, or fruit. This system has become enormously popular, and browsing 返礼品 catalogs is a common year-end activity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ふるさと納税の返礼品 — hometown tax return gift
- 返礼品カタログ — return gift catalog
- 人気の返礼品 — popular return gifts
- 返礼品を受け取る — to receive a return gift
SIMILAR WORDS:
- お返し — return gift (general, everyday term)
- 内祝い — celebratory return gift (given in return for congratulatory gifts)
- 贈答品 — gift item (broader, not specifically a return gift)