Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [283]
Traditional Dance, Theatre & Music
Gion Corner (Map; 561-1119; Gion-Hanamikōji-dōri; admission ¥2800; performances nightly at 7.40pm & 8.40pm 1 Mar-29 Nov, closed 16 Aug) The shows presented here are a sort of crash course in Japanese traditional arts. You get a chance to see snippets of the tea ceremony, koto music, ikebana, gagaku (court music), kyōgen (ancient comic plays), Kyōmai (Kyoto-style dance) and bunraku (puppet plays).
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SHOPPING
The heart of Kyoto’s shopping district is around the intersection of Shijō-dōri and Kawaramachi-dōri. The blocks to the north and west of here are packed with stores selling both traditional and modern goods. Kyoto’s largest department stores (Hankyū, Takashimaya, Daimaru and Fujii Daimaru) are grouped together in this area.
Some of the best shopping and people-watching can be had along Kyoto’s three downtown shopping arcades: Shinkyōgoku shopping arcade, Teramachi shopping arcade and Nishiki Market (right). Teramachi and Shinkyōgoku run parallel to each other in the heart of downtown. The former has a mix of tasteful and tacky shops; the latter specialises in tacky stuff for the hoards of schoolkids who visit Kyoto every year. Nishiki branches off Shinkyōgoku to the west, about 100m north of Shijō-dōri.
Antiques
The place to look for antiques in Kyoto is Shinmonzen-dōri, in Gion (Map). The street is lined with great old shops, many of them specialising in one thing or another (furniture, pottery, scrolls, prints etc). You can easily spend an afternoon strolling from shop to shop here, but be warned: if something strikes your fancy you’re going to have to break out the credit card – prices here are steep!
Camping & Outdoor Equipment
Kōjitsu Sansō (Map; 257-7050; B1 Kyoto Asahi Kaikan, 427 Ebisu-chō, Sanjō agaru, Kawaramachi-dōri, Nakagyō-ku; 10.30am-8pm) If you plan to do some hiking or camping while in Japan, you can stock up on equipment at this excellent little shop on Kawaramachi.
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MARKETS
If you’re in town when one of the following markets is on, by all means go! Markets are the best places to find antiques and bric-a-brac at reasonable prices and are the only places in Japan where you can actually bargain for a better price.
On the 21st of each month, Kōbō-san Market is held at Tō-ji (Map) to commemorate the death of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), who in 823 was appointed abbot of the temple.
Another major market, Tenjin-san Market, is held on the 25th of each month at Kitano Tenman-gū (Map), marking the day of the birth (and, coincidentally, the death) of the Heian-era statesman Sugawara Michizane (845–903).
If you’re not in Kyoto on the 21st, there’s also a regular antiques fair at Tō-ji on the first Sunday of each month. In addition, the Antique Grand Fair is a major event, with over 100 dealers selling a wide range of Japanese and foreign curios. It is held thrice-yearly at Pulse Plaza (Map) in Fushimi (southern Kyoto). Ask at the TIC for more details as times vary each year.
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Clothing
Teramachi Shōten (Map; 213-3131; B1 Teramachi Shōtengai Takoyakushi agaru, Nakagyō-ku; 11am-8pm) A T-shirt with your name written in kanji, katakana or hiragana across the chest is a memorable souvenir, and this place can make them in just a few minutes. If you don’t fancy your own name on the shirt, you can also get the name of your country or choose from a variety of Japanese words and slogans. Look for the T-shirts displayed outside.
Electronics & Cameras
Bic Camera (Map; 353-1111; 927 Higashi Shiokōji-chō, Shimogyō-ku; 10am-9pm) This vast new electronics/camera shop is directly connected to Kyoto Station via the Nishinotōin gate; otherwise, it’s accessed by leaving the north (Karasuma) gate and walking west.