Nishiki Ichiba (Nishiki-Markt) bietet fünf Reihen mit engen Gassen, flankiert von traditionellen Essensständen, Geschäften und Restaurants. Seit dem Jahr 1310 gibt es hier einen Großmarkt, der sich langsam in einen Lebensmittelmarkt mit starken kulturellen Verbindungen verwandelt hat. Als einer der ältesten Märkte in Kyoto, auf dem alle kulinarischen Wunder der Stadt präsentiert werden, gibt es Walfleisch, Schalentiere, Pickles oder Sashimi. Einige Verkäufer haben hier kleine Läden eingerichtet, während andere Geschäfte zwei Ebenen umfassen. Einige haben sogar Bars oder Mitnahmestellen angebracht, die es den Besuchern ermöglichen, die Lebensmittel vor dem Großeinkauf zu probieren. Stände mit japanischem Fleisch, Sushi, gekochten Meeresfrüchten und Desserts sind nur einige Beispiele, die dem Markt Farbe verleihen. Ob man Getreideprodukte und Gemüse oder eine Spezialsoße suchen, hier findet man alles. Traditioneller kann die Esskultur in der Tat nicht mehr werden!
This opulent, nine-story department store, located right in the center of the town, has all the features one would expect of a top-notch emporium. As one enters from the street, the elegant jewelry departments, including Tiffany's, attract the shopper. The store has a very good range of men's, women's and children's wear, the tie department having a particularly wide range. On the sixth floor, the art gallery is well worth a look for traditional ikebana(Japanese flower arranging) or Western art exhibitions.
Shijo-Dori can be found in the heart of the Japanese city of Kyoto. Shijo means fourth street, as it used to be in the ancient capital of Heian-kyō. The street runs from the Yasaka Shrine to the Matsunoo Shrine form east to the west. The area is extremely commercialized now, with several departmental stores, shopping areas and international fashion outlets like Louis Vuitton. If you know where to go, Shijo-Dori also has an area where one can find traditional wares.
Teramachi Street can be found in the Japanese metropolitan city, Kyoto. It is one of the busiest streets in the city and is also one of the best places to shop at. The sidewalk leads to a variety of small but classy stores that sell all kinds of things. Here you can find Buddhist goods, interesting books and several places to buy clothes. Teramachi can literally be translated to temple town and so a lot of what you find there will have religious connotations.
The Japanese tea ceremony is world famous, but if you have no chance to be involved in one of these, a visit to Ippodo is definitely worthwhile. Ippodo have been in business since 1846 and stepping into the shop gives one a good idea how the Japanese did their shopping back in the Edo Period. Japanese tea makes a great gift, too, considering its healthy qualities and portability.
With stores in most major cities across Japan, Mandarake has established itself as the leading comic-book and magazine warehouse in the country. This branch—Osaka's main branch— is like most others in major cities: enormous. There are literally dozens and dozens of rows of comic books—for men, women and children—magazines, posters and artwork. Serious collectors can also find some valuable pre-war items here as well, including antique toys. The staff are well informed and ready to help.
At this storefront, not only can you buy some cool throwing stars or an authentic Katana (sword), but you can also learn Ninja techniques from knowledgeable instructors. Ninja Dojo functions as both an ancient weapons shop and a place where visitors can learn about the history, techniques and methods from these silent, stealth warriors. It's perfect for the entire family, the lessons are in English and rates vary from individual to group instruction.
Japanese artwork is becoming increasingly popular in the West and Saiun-do is a great place to pick up the necessary supplies and utensils. Paints, brushes, inks, mixing bowls and paper. This shop is located in the center of the city in a traditional house, which is appropriate for a shop that sells traditional art supplies. English is spoken here so if you need advice on what to purchase, do not be afraid to ask.
Kikuo Shoten booksellers are an academic and antiquarian outlet on the west side of Kawaramachi. They stock a wide variety of Japanese and foreign books in both paperback and hardback. Kikuo also publishes a catalog of its foreign books as many of these volumes are stored in a separate stock room at the rear of the small, crammed shop. Kikuo has an interesting selection of old editions of books on Japan, which could be collectors' items but prices are higher than overseas, though the proprietors are open to a spot of haggling.
This shop specializes in ancient and traditional art repackaged as contemporary and new. LISN sells delicate Japanese incense in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and fragrances as well as modern-style incense holders. Prices range from around JPY20 to JPY400 per stick. Incense can relax, freshen up a room or waft you back to Kyoto long after you have left.
Here is a way to give your home the subtle aromas of Kyoto no matter where you live; you will enjoy browsing the fine incense on display at Kyukyodo. In business from the eighteenth century, Kyukyodo sells a variety of fragrances, including sandalwood, and a range of shapes and sizes, including stick incense and chips for tossing on a fire. This fine old shop also retails traditional stationary and Japanese ink brushes for calligraphy.
Housed in a large two-storied historic building on the corner of Imadegawa and Horikawa, Tsuruyayoshinobu is a bit of a mouthful in more ways than one as it serves and retails delicious and healthy traditional Japanese confectionery. On the second floor you can sample the sweets on sale on the first floor as you watch them being made before your very eyes in a beautiful old Japanese space complete with interior garden.