Folks may be interested in some of the things we have figured out for gifts. In addition to the aforementioned coffee, we picked up a massive jar of Nutella, which my daughter's Japanese friend is unable to get in Japan. We happened to be in Hershey PA over the weekend (home of Hershey chocolate) and were able to pick up a customized 1-lb candy bar (we chose chocolate chips and toffee bits in a milk chocolate candy bar, with added sprinkles) with the family's name on the wrapper. I thought this might be fun as it is a regional US chocolate item, customized for the family. We'll include a few other items as well in the care package, but these items will be the primary ones.

I did contact the Little League Hall of Fame, and am negotiating prices for some 2012 World Series pins (the Japanese team won in 2012, as they do most years) and other small items that I can give as goodwill gifts during our vacation. I'll probably try to include a photo of Japanese Little League Team as well or something along those lines that identifies the connection to Japan. I'll probably take a few dozen of whatever I decide on to give not only to the family, but as thank you/goodwill gifts for some of the folks we meet along the way (guides, restaurant or hotel staff, etc.)

Thanks again for everyone's input. I found this thread to be very helpful.

dcman2