Originally Posted by chuckd
Glad I could start a debate, but I meant that the sake sets.... They are still representative of both a trip and the location from which they came, but how many Japanese people buy them? Sake itself I would argue is not touristy.
Almost every Japanese home will have a set of sake cups, and not everybody filches them piece by piece from bars and Izakayas
(which is a very 'touristy' but very BAD thing to do). So, yes, the Japanese do buy them.
But then look at the gift teapot industry in the UK - there are some truly nasty ones around, especially those hideous novelty teapots shaped like country cottages or golf balls/caddies. But a pretty teapot that pours well and some good quality tea make a lovely gift from England. So I guess a good quality sake set (or even a good quality tea set) is a nice solid souvenir from Japan.
Personally, I sincerely believe that the only 'touristy' purchases are those nobody ever uses and which end up collecting dust in a drawer or haunting some frightful display cabinet. Best thing is to buy things that you yourself enjoyed on your visit, and hopefully, your gift will be a way to share that experience with others. No point buying sake (or anything related to sake) if you can't stand the stuff yourself!