<p>@zooser, sounds like your DS isn’t really a picky eater but just reverts back to old roles when he comes home and is looking for familiar comfort food.</p>
<p>Yakisoba is another reliable food - pan fried noodle dish that is relatively inexpensive and found at festivals and tourist attractions. Beef curry and rice, too - to me, it tastes more like beef stew than southeast Asian curry. There is a lot of fun candy and ice cream to be had, too! </p>
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<p>Just had my first green tea kitkat from the bag a friend bought for me as a favor for helping her with some techie stuff. </p>
<p>Very interesting mix of sweetness, grainy texture, and subtle green tea flavor. Sweetness is surprisingly higher than what I’ve experienced with other Japanese/Asian sweets/dessert items, but still not to the same degree as what I’d find in American sweets/dessert items…including regular US made kit-kats. </p>
<p>Also, the portion size is a bit smaller than what one would find in a packet of US kit-kats. </p>
<p>It’s probably fair to call natto the durian of Japan, except that unlike durian, most people who grow up around it like it. I don’t think natto has the homegrown haters that durian does.</p>
<p>Hanna,</p>
<p>I’m not so sure about that. I know plenty of Japanese and Japanese-Americans who grew up being forced to eat natto growing up who hate it with a passion. </p>
<p>Incidentally, several Japanese publications have noted that natto has such a polarizing reaction that even many Japanese themselves won’t touch/eat it because they find the texture/flavor to be disgustingly disagreeable. </p>
<p>Really! I had the impression that natto was more like peanut butter in the US – not universally liked, but not terribly controversial among the non-allergic.</p>
<p>Warn your son that Japanese meals won’t have the amount of beef, chicken or fish he’s used to because they are very expensive. For cheaper protein, Japanese eat tofu and eggs. I would give him some extra pocket money so he can buy some meals at US fast food chains or load him up with protein bars etc that he likes. Food that are readily available in the US costs twice or more in Japan. I hope he likes rice and udon.
For a variety of food that he may find in Japan, take him to IchiUmi on 6 E 32nd in Manhattan. It is a buffet where he can try and taste many types of Japanese(Chinese and Korean too) food and familiarize himself with food he may like.
Ask him to try out Japanese washlets if he finds one. My son had a kick out of them</p>
<p>“Gifts are a part of the Japanese culture- they don’t have to be expensive- just meaningful. Expect that the host family will give your son a gift, and he should bring something for them. Something that represents your country and culture would be appreciated- a picture book of your hometown, any local art piece like a small painting or print”</p>
<p>Beautifully wrapped. That is really the key here. Beautiful wrappings and presentation are a part of their tradition. </p>
<p>Also, I would tell him about business cards. Not that he would be expected to have one, but in Japanese culture it is important to accept business cards respectfully, with 2 hands, look at the card, and carefully put it away in a nice case. Unlike the US, where business cards are more “offhand.” Again, not because he would be expected to have one, but so he doesn’t make a faux pas if for some reason he gets one handed to him, so he doesn’t shove it into a back pocket. </p>
<p>The Japanese are exceedingly well mannered, and exceedingly clean. Tell him about the washlets he will likely encounter, at least in public bathrooms. </p>
<p>It is actually easy enough to make business cards as well if you S wants to do so. The office supply stores sell paper that easily tears into business cards that can be customized and printed with your computer printer. I have been printing my own business cards for 8 years now and have never ordered from a printer.</p>
<p>One of mine has traveled in Japan. He is going to have to suck it up. There will be something available that he can eat, even if it is just rice. And yes, he must take a gift. </p>
<p>You guys are the best. Thank you! I am going to look into business cards, and will definitely make sure he has an appropriately wrapped gift. Although I think I will enlist my daughter to make sure it looks beautiful.</p>
<p>I think rice and noodles are like bread and potato in the US.
Prepare to eat fried fish bones too. I had that in a popular restaurant in Narita early this year (I did not know what I ordered because I was in a rush to get back to the airport). </p>
<p>Since he may be packing the gift & may be toting it for some time before presenting, try to get ribbons that are OK to crush and then re-fluff, as well as crushable wrapping, like a nice scarf or dish towel or lovely fabric, especially something from the area where you live. </p>
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I’d be very surprised if his host didn’t have washlets in their home. After experiencing that, he will realize how he’s been living like a barbarian all his life… 
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<p>Thanks, GMT - I have been in private homes in Japan, but hadn’t used the facilities, so I didn’t know if every private home would have a washlet.</p>