Destination: Japan
Shop
Japan
Kyoto - Antiques
Tokyo - Antiques
Ceramics - Ceramics
Imbe (Okayama) - Ceramics
Kyoto - Ceramics
Kyushu - Ceramics
Mashiko (near Tokyo) - Ceramics
Tokyo - Cloisonné
Kyoto - Crafts
Tokyo - Crafts
Tokyo - Dolls
Tokyo - Fans
Tokyo - Teaware
Kyoto - Woodblock Prints
Tokyo - Woodblock Prints
Tokyo - Books & Music
Tokyo - Department Stores
Osaka - Electronics & Cameras
Tokyo - Electronics & Cameras
Tokyo - Kimonos
Kyoto - Paper
Tokyo - Paper
Ise Peninsula - Pearls
Tokyo - Pearls
Tokyo - Sake
Tokyo - Toys
Souvenirs

Shopping in Japan can be an alarmingly expensive business but there will always be something colourful and intriguing to buy that is cheap - elaborate chopsticks, paper coasters, or wooden games and toys for example. An unusual and cheap gift, if you can find it, would be sake in a can which heats itself automatically when the can is opened.

Art Less

Don't be deterred from going into expensive art and antique shops. Many items might be impossibly expensive but there are bargains to be had, particularly in the art world - signed prints by eminent Japanese artists are often reasonably priced.

Sale Time

Look for big discounts during the sale seasons. The summer sales usually take place from mid-July to the end of August, whilst the winter sales last from after the New Year holiday to the middle of February.

Love Tokens

On St Valentine's Day (14 February) in Japan it is traditional for women to give gifts to men. To restore the balance a White Day, which takes place a month after, has been created to encourage men to give chocolates or something similar to their girlfriends.

Warm Hands

The Japanese are adept at finding ways to cope with life's inconveniences. For children with frozen hands in the winter, you can buy tsukaisute kairo, packs which when rubbed become warm and can be kept in the pocket.


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