Page 146 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

144  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Gifts, Gizmos, and Toys gifts. Markets (see p139) and
even super markets have
In the first months after World War II, de-mobbed men and interesting and unfamiliar
displaced persons would spread a towel or newspaper on the food items as well, from sembei
incinerated wasteland around main stations, and display a (rice crackers) to traditional
saucepan or worn kimono in the hope of finding a customer. Japanese confections. The main
ingredient of Japanese sweets is
These were the tentative beginnings of the black markets. anko, red bean paste, which
Since then, consumers have long moved from desiring may be an acquired taste for
just basic necessities to acquiring gifts, gizmos, and the some Westerners. These
novelties that flood Tokyo’s markets. beautifully made confections
are called wagashi in Japanese,
and are often taken with green
Gift Shops
tea. Toraya is famous – it
The Japanese are not only supplies the imperial family. This
avid buyers of souvenirs when Akasaka institution changes its
they venture overseas, but sweet motifs to reflect the
excellent customers for the seasons. Branches of Akebono
interesting products of their selling exquisite sweets can be
own country. The result is found in the food basements
countless gift shops. of some of the best Tokyo
The traditional and modern department stores. The origins
stationery, origami paper, and of Iidabashi Mannendo in
calligraphy tools sold at Itoya in Iidabashi, date back to the 17th
Ginza, make light, affordable, century, when it began making
and portable gifts. The articles sweets based on recipes from
at Japan Sword, the oldest the old imperial city of Kyoto.
dealer in authentic Japanese Alcohol is freely available in
blades, are a little heavier and Tokyo. Individual sake shops
more expensive, not to mention and, once again, department
dangerous. Replicas of the An eye-catching chopsticks box, store basements have shelves
swords are also sold. The a traditional souvenir full of nihonshu (the word “sake”
shop and exhibition space can actually refer to all alcoholic
are located in the business to do one-stop shopping. Large drinks). The choice, though, can
district of Toranomon. railroad terminuses, especially be quite bewil dering, involving
Right in the heart of Shibuya, Tokyo Station, are crammed some knowledge of grades and
Do is the stylish Claska Hotel’s with souvenir and gift shops. provenance. For an initiation
gift shop. The hotel is known into the mysteries of the drink,
for its design, and the gift Sake Plaza in Shimbashi has
shop follows the same model. Food and Drink excellent displays. Entrance
Occasionally, it also shows Department store basements to the plaza is free, and for a
works by local artists. have the largest and most small fee visitors can enjoy a
Craft and gift sections of interesting single selections of five-cup sampling.
reputed department stores ready-to-go Japanese foods of
(see p139) are logical places the kind that make interesting
Gadgets and Gizmos
Tokyu Hands, a treasure trove
of inventive and original
household goods, is a good
place to start for general items
from fancy dress costumes to
trick store treats evoking a sense
of fun. The Don Quixote stores,
such as the popular one in
Shinjuku, are stuffed to the
ceilings with novelty, “character”
goods, costume wear, mixed
in with snacks, camping gear,
and ironing boards. For a
combination of electronics
and eccentricities, Akihabara
(see p47) is hard to beat. Labi
and Sofmap are two huge
Bewildering variety of sweets in a store on Nakamise-dori, Akihabara electronic department stores

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