Japanese parents want vouchers over physical gifts this year

One thing I've learned about family life here in Japan is that it can be expensive in a quiet, steady-drip kind of way. When I saw the latest Ikoyo Family Lab survey on what parents actually want for Christmas, the top answers made immediate sense. Almost half of Japanese moms and dads chose accommodation vouchers for hot spring inns or hotels, followed by travel vouchers.

I think that after juggling school events, fees, transport costs, and the rising price of everything from groceries to kids shoes and clothing, the idea of a fully or partly prepaid trip feels like winning back a little freedom.

I've noticed over recent years that the cost of travel (like everything else) has shot up, especially for families. Even a simple overnight stay can snowball once you add in things like meals, transport, and entry fees. Because of that, I think a voucher takes the sting out of planning and it lets parents enjoy something they often put off because of cost. The same goes for massage and spa tickets, which ranked third. I feel like many parents don't spend money on themselves unless it's absolutely necessary, so a prepaid treatment removes some of the guilt barrier.

What stood out most to me is that parents aren't asking for luxury goods, they want breathing room and time together that doesn't require calculating costs first.

Are you hoping for any of the above-mentioned items for Christmas this year?