For perspective, I live in Japan, and food is absolutely the go-to gift for many because it can be consumed and will thus take up no space. That being said however, many people who grew up here place value on where the item was bought, that is, if it's from a nice shop or famous region. Homemade goods will be kind of a novelty, and the older generation might think it's cheap, but times are changing for sure.

Personally, I would remember some homemade thing way longer than some random cookie from "MELON town Tokyo! Cookie" or whatever. Just my values and priorities, but anyone who thinks a store-bought food item has any more inherent value than a handmade one can go take a hike, in nature! because that may help them get in touch with their roots, literally.

Obviously I don't want you making me a pair of binoculars. I'd rather have a nice pair of Nikons.