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Meidi-Ya Store
This famous Sanjō-dōri gourmet supermarket has an outstanding selection of imported food and an excellent selection of wine. Prices are high.
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Morita Washi
A short walk from the Shijō-Karasuma crossing, this place sells a fabulous variety of handmade washi (Japanese paper) for reasonable prices. It's one of our favourite shops in Kyoto for souvenirs.
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Myōren-Ji
On the 12th of each month there is a bazaar at Myōren-ji, northwest of Imadegawa-Horikawa. Goods on offer include such items as Japanese textiles and bric-a-brac.
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Nijūsan-Ya
Boxwood combs and hair clips are one of Kyoto's most famous traditional crafts, and they are still used in the elaborate hairstyles of the city's geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha). This tiny hole-in-the-wall shop has a fine selection for you to choose from (and if you don't like what's on view, you can ask if it has other choices in stock - it usually does).
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Nishiharu
This is an attractive shop dealing in wood-block prints. All the prints are accompanied by English explanations and the owner is happy to take the time to find something you really like.
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Nishijin Textile Center
The Nishijin Textile Center is part museum, part event hall and part shop. Downstairs, it occasionally hosts kimono fashion shows, highlighting the area's distinctive Nishijin-ori weaving. Upstairs there are displays where artisans demonstrate the use of traditional looms and dying techniques. A variety of goods, including kimono and obi (kimono sashes), are for sale on the 2nd floor.
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Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market (Nishiki-kōji Ichiba in Japanese) is one of Kyoto's real highlights, especially if you have an interest in cooking and eating (and we guess that you do). If you want to see all the weird and wonderful foods that go into Kyoto cuisine, this is the place. It's in the centre of town, one block north of Shijō-dōri, running west from Teramachi- dōri.
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Onouechikuzaiten
With a name that even residents find hard to pronounce, this fine little specialist store stocks a selection of bamboo crafts. It's only a few steps away from its main competition, Kagoshin, which allows for easy comparison shopping. Like Kagoshin, it stocks baskets, bamboo vases, decorations and knick-knacks.
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Opa
This youth-oriented shopping centre is the place to go to see swarms of ko-gyaru (brightly clad Japanese girls) and their mates. It's also a decent spot for those who want to check out a wide variety of fashion boutiques and other trendy shops.
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Pulse Plaza
Several times a year, an Antiques Grand Fair is held here in this hall in the southern part of Kyoto. Check with the TIC for exact dates.
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Qanat Rakuhoku
This huge new complex in Takano (northern Kyoto) has stores selling just about everything, as well as a big food court complete with Starbucks and even a place that sells decent pizza (something of a rarity here).
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Rakushi-Kan
On the 1st floor of the Museum of Kyoto, this fine little shop sells a variety of washi goods and traditional Japanese stationery. There are several interesting items here that make good souvenirs, including fine letter-writing paper and cards. You can also pick up blank washi business cards to have printed up when you get back home.
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Random Walk
In the Teramachi shopping arcade, this is the best English-language bookshop in town. There is a good selection of Lonely Planet guidebooks and maps, English manga, books on Japan, art books, novels etc.
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Shikunshi
In a wonderful old machiya (traditional Japanese town house) on Shijō-dōri, east of Nishinotōin-dōri, this shop sells a variety of kimono. Have a look at the small shop in the restored warehouse at the back.
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Shin-Puh-Kan
This new Downtown shopping complex has a variety of boutiques and restaurants clustered around a huge open-air atrium. The offerings here run to the trendy and ephemeral, which seems to appeal to all the young folk who congregate here. Occasional art and music performances are held in the atrium.
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Tadashiya
This shop has an abundance of high-quality used kimono and obi. The prices are a bit on the high side. It's on the corner with the name of the shop written in English in small letters on the door.
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Tanakaya
Tanakaya is one of the best places in Kyoto to buy kyō-ningyō . In addition to the full range of kyō-ningyō, the shop sells display stands and screens, Japanese traditional shell game pieces and miniature Gion Matsuri floats. It occupies a wide stretch of Shijō-dōri and is easy to spot by its dolls in the window.
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Tanakaya
This shop sells noren (curtains that hang in the entry of Japanese restaurants) and a wide variety of other fabric goods such as placemats, tenugui (small hand towels), handkerchiefs and bedding. It's near Daimaru department store.
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Tenjin-san Market
This market is held once a month at Kitano Tenman-gū and marks the day of birth (and coincidentally the death) of the Heian-era statesman Sugawara Michizane (845-903). Items on offer are similar to those at Kōbō-san. It's pleasant to explore the shrine before or after you do your shopping.
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Teramachi Club
Used kimono and obi are only the beginning at this interesting little antique shop. Prices are on the high side but it usually has some interesting items. It's only a little bit further north than the famous Ippo-dō tea shop.
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Tessai-Dō
While exploring the lovely Nene-no-Michi lane in Higashiyama's main sightseeing district, you might want to step into this fine little wood-block print shop. This shop specialises in original prints, some of which are quite old. Prices average around ¥100 per print and the owner will be happy to consult with you about what sort of print you are after.
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Tōki-Ichi
This is a large pottery fair held at Senbon Shaka-dō, where around 30 vendors sell various wares.
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Tsujikura
A short walk north of the Shijō-Kawaramachi crossing, Tsujikura has a good selection of waxed-paper umbrellas and paper lanterns with traditional and modern designs.
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Ywca's Thrift Shop
On the first and third Saturday of each month there is a flea market and general get-together of foreigners.
