Question 1

I think decorative sake cups are nice souvenirs, especially if someones likes to drink sake. I think the place associated depends on the pattern on the cups.

Question 2

My home town is not a popular tourist destination as it is a farming community. I think anything to do with sheep is popular. Things like sheep skin rugs or sheep stuffed toys.

Question 3

I think a regions famous food is a popular souvenir. Tokyo Banana is popular.

Question 4

I have not travelled much recently due to having kids and Covid restrictions. The last time I bought a souvenir was in 2016 when I went to New Zealand for a holiday. I bought some chocolates for my co-workers.

Question 5

Japanese people regularly buy souvenirs for their co-workers when they travel. So, I think I got a portion of a souvenir recently, but I cannot remember when. It was some yummy cookies.

Question 6

I think the worst souvenir I have been given was Tokyo Banana as I really hate banana.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
decorative sake cups	ぐい呑
associated	付属
farming community	農村
got a portion of	食指が動く

Question 1

I think the most popular souvenirs are green tea flavored sweets from Kyoto or Tokyo banana cakes from Tokyo. Personally, I enjoy souvenirs that commemorate the anniversary of a place, like the 1300th anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo capital. In 2010 I visited Nara city and bought some items like a towel and a magnet featuring the anniversary logo and Sentokun, Nara's mascot. I still have them.

Question 2

In my hometown, Ponca City, we didn't really have souvenirs, I think. If I had to choose something it would be Head Country BBQ sauce. It is from my hometown and is popular countrywide.

Question 3

We can find souvenirs almost anywhere, but I enjoy collecting Starbucks mugs from different places. I like to buy one from the city or country I'm visiting. My favorite one is from Wales. It has a dragon on it.

Question 4

I haven't been sightseeing since before coronavirus started, so it has been several years since I bought a souvenir for someone. The last time I visited the US I bought some Pokemon goods that were only released outside of Japan for a Japanese friend who collects ghost type Pokemon goods. I spent about $50. I chose those items because she is my good friend and we are both collectors.

Question 5

I really can't remember, but I always keep gifts people give me. I actually have too many things in my house now. I personally prefer handmade items or cards. Postcards are also a favorite. I like to hang them on my fridge.

Question 6

The worst things I have been given were probably sent here from my mom. She really enjoys giving gifts, but she doesn't really think about their usefulness before buying them. Sometimes she sends me a lot of cheap things that I will never use, so I feel bad if I throw them away. I am happy that she is thinking about me, but I tried many times to convince her not to send any more presents. It's always a mix of emotions.

Tough Vocabulary

Question 1

I have only been to a few places in Japan but one thing I try to collect from my trips are train station stamps, train tickets and even travel brochures. Aside from being cheap and almost free they're good material for decorating my journals.

Question 2

My hometown in Cebu is famous for its beaches, religious festivals, and food culture. We have a big religious festival celebrated in February where people buy hats, t-shirts and fans. It's a practical souvenir since people also use them during the parade.

Question 3

Some people like to buy sweets as a souvenir. I think Switzerland is really famous for their chocolates. Every country has their own version of a sweet delicacy which is great for a souvenir. There are a lot of keychain designs from each country too. I like collecting the ones that represent an iconic landmark in each city.

Question 4

When I first visited Japan in 2019, I was overwhelmed with all the delicious snacks and tea selections so I hoarded some and brought them back as souvenirs for my relatives in the Philippines. They loved the matcha-flavored chocolates. It only cost me five thousand yen to buy an assorted pack of sweets.

Question 5

My former boss who travelled to Bali, Indonesia in 2018 was really thoughtful and gifted us handicraft souvenirs. Bali is famous for their wooden keychains and rattan bags. I received both from her. She also gave me a fancy mirror in 2019 from one of her travels to Jerusalem. That pocket-sized mirror was adorned with a lot of gems and was fragile so I didn't carry it around much to avoid breaking it.

Question 6

The first time I had senbei rice crackers in Japan, I thought of bringing packs of it back to the Philippines to share with family and friends. The problem was that I loved it too much that once I got home, I decided I don't want to share any and just kept them all to myself.

Tough Vocabulary