Shopping in Japan
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Street Market
If you're in Kōchi on a Sunday, don't miss the colourful Street Market along the road leading to the castle. The market, which has been going for some 300 years, has everything from fruit, vegetables and goldfish to antiques, knives and large garden stones.
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Junkudō
This giant bookshop has the best selection of foreign and Japanese-language books in Osaka. It's inside the Dōjima Avanza Building in Kita, about 10 minutes' walk from Osaka Station. Most English-language books are on the 3rd floor along with a cafe. English travel guides, including a good selection of Lonely Planet guides, are on the 2nd floor.
reviewed
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Kyoto-Kimono Plaza
This is one of Kyoto’s more approachable kimono shops. As with other shops specialising in new kimono and kimono fabrics, prices are not cheap, but the quality is high. You can be measured for a custom kimono here and the shop will post it to your home.
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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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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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E
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.
reviewed
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Maruzen Bookshop- Nihombashi
Established in 1869, this is Japan's oldest Western bookshop (recently rebuilt) and has one of the best selections of English-language books in Tokyo. Its founder is said to have invented Japanese curried rice - there's a restaurant serving the dish here.
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F
Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten
If it’s festival products you’re after, Miyamoto is one-stop shopping, from mikoshi (portable shrines) to drums, clappers and festival masks. It’s on the ground floor of the building and downstairs from the drum museum.
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Kōjitsu Sansō
If you plan to do some hiking or camping while in Japan, you can stock up on equipment at this excellent little shop. It's down a flight of steps, the entrance to which is to the right of a convenience store.
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Haibara
Even Haibara's business cards are made from exquisite paper. Find gorgeous, high-quality washi and tiny treasures such as wallets, hand mirrors and mobile phone accessories made from printed paper in this jewellery box of a paper shop.
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Ohya Shobō
You could lose yourself for hours in this splendid, musty old bookshop specialising in ukiyo-e ('floating world' prints) and ancient maps. The friendly staff can help you find whatever particular piece of antiquated trivia your heart desires.
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Chicago Thrift Store
Stuffed to the rafters with funky hats, ties and coats, Chicago is a treasure trove of vintage clothing and used duds stacked high and priced low. Of special note is the extensive collection of used kimono and yukata in the basement.
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Sekaidō
To the east of Shinjuku Station, Sekaidō, whose entrance is marked by a banner depicting the Mona Lisa, sells a broad array of art supplies such as pens, brushes and easels, as well as fine paper and a vast selection of manga.
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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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Yodobashi Camera
Yodobashi is Tokyo's largest and most highly regarded camera emporium, but also carries loads of computers and other electronics. Its prices are very competitive and tourists are waived Japanese consumption tax if a valid passport is shown.
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Ōedo Antique Market
Some 250 licensed dealers populate Japan’s largest outdoor antique market, in the courtyard of the Tokyo International Forum, with goods from furniture to pottery, sword guards to figurines. Phone ahead in case of inclement weather.
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Camera No Naniwa
This vast camera/film/electronics emporium is part of a huge low-cost Osaka chain. You can find some great bargains here - they sometimes offer special discounts for travellers - but don't expect much in terms of personal service.
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Iroha-Dō
If you’re on a mission to find the youth-oriented, the kawaii and the oshare (fashionable) in Shimo-Kita, this is a great place to start. Update your look with just the right hat, eyeglasses, belt or bag.
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Tsutsumu Factory
It's the wrapping-paper centre of the packaging-excess capital: Tsutsumu, which translates into 'wrapping', carries hundreds of kinds of gorgeous washi as well as other kinds of paper, numerous greeting cards, and boxes.
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Spiral Records
Located just inside the entrance of the Spiral building, Spiral Records is both a vendor and an experimental label. The listening stations feature avant-garde tunes both new and old. The staff spins records while you browse.
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Kinokuniya International Supermarket
Kinokuniya carries expat lifesavers such as Marmite and peanut butter, Belgian chocolate and herbal tea. Foreign imports such as cheese, salami and Finnish bread generally fetch high prices, much like the flawless produce.
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Manhattan Records
Rifle through the records in Manhattan for hip-hop and a look at the flyers for local club schedules. There's also a cluster of record shops down the alleys on either side of the Manhattan building, so shop around a bit.
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Condomania
Inside this tiny shop you'll find more condoms than you can poke a…stick at. For your love-hotel expeditions or footloose friends back home, Condomania's colourful shrine to planned parenthood offers up everything from enigmatic prophylactics like the 'Masturbator's Condom' to the more conservative glow-in-the-dark variety. Rubbers are available for all sizes…
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Morita Washi
Not far from Shijo-Karasuma, this wonderful shop sells a fabulous variety of handmade washi (Japanese paper) for reasonable prices. It could be our favourite shop in Kyoto.
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Recofan
With several branches around town, this arm of Recofan stocks a wide variety of music, including folk, soul, J-pop and reggae. Between this store and the Mandarake shop in the basement, you could lose several hours.
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