My wife is Japanese and a big hit with her friends is tote bags from The Strand bookstore, Trader Joe's, etc. They don't really differentiate Jersey City from New York City, so anything NYC-related is considered a hometown gift. As much as I love Second Street's and Antique Bakery's stuffed breads, if they make it through customs -- and that's a big "if" -- they'll be stale and worst for the wear after that 12-hour flight. Enjoy the trip, Japan is another -- better -- world.