Page 111 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

SHOPPING IN T OK Y O  109

women) or happi (cotton
kimono-style short jackets) are
affordable alternatives.
Mainstream men’s and women’s
clothes tend to be conservative,
though immacu lately designed
and cut. Many international
designers have their own outlets
or are stocked by the major stores.
Designers, focusing on the
young, are doing very inven tive
things with bold colors and
unusual materials and cuts. Seibu
department store in Shibuya and
Ikebukuro is full of boutiques
The huge Yodobashi Camera store in Akihabara from new designers. Gaien-
Nishi-dori in Minami-Aoyama
Electronic Goods Jewelry and Accessories
(see p102) is packed with trendy
The best place to buy elec tronic Pearls are the only form of jewels boutiques, as is Omotesando
goods is Akihabara (see p77). native to Japan. Mikimoto (see p99) and its side streets.
Computers, video games, and perfected the process and Japan’s internationally famous
software fuel the economy here, marketing of cultured pearls designers have outlets around
but you can usually find just in 1893, and sells its jewelry the city. Issey Miyake has
about any thing. Prices in Japan in opulent surroundings. For boutiques in several department
are high, and even with the 10 the best range of jewelry at stores and a number of shops
percent or so discount here, the the lowest prices, go to in Minami-Aoyama. Comme
cost is unlikely to be cheaper than Okachimachi, one stop before des Garçons has three stores;
elsewhere, though the selec tion Ueno on the Yamanote train go to the main store for
is unmatched. Check that you line, where there are huge directions to the other two.
are buying equipment that is numbers of jewelry stores. Hanae Mori has boutiques
compatible with voltage and Japan’s traditional jewelry for at the Imperial Hotel, Hotel
systems back home (see p363). women was kanzashi, the Okura, and in Ginza’s 5-Chome.
In Akihabara, Laox is a big hairpins worn in traditional
favorite with tax-free shop pers, hairstyles (with tortoise-shell Textiles
selling English-language combs). Nakamise-dori at
computers and some English- Senso-ji Temple (see pp90–91) is Silk, cotton, linen, and hemp
language software. You will the place to find these. The depart- all feature in Japan’s long and
need to bring your passport for ment store Matsuzakaya in Ueno rich textile history. While some
the tax-free price. Labi and also sells kanzashi, plus traditional tech-
Sofmap are two more huge other jewelry. Ginkado niques are fading,
electronic department stores. sells kan zashi, costume most are alive and
Akky and Takarada are also swords, and fans. Next well. Department
duty free. door is Bun sendo, also stores are often the
selling fans. The last best places to find
maker of handmade a range of textiles.
Camera Equipment
wooden combs is Matsuzakaya (in
For the best choice of camera Jusanya in Ueno. Ueno) grew from
equip ment, try Yodobashi a Nagoya kimono
Camera on the west side of An obi sash merchant and
Shinjuku, or Bic Camera in Clothing on a kimono stocks bolts of kimono
Yurakucho, Shinjuku, Shibuya, A traditional Japanese cloth made in Kyoto,
or Ikebukuro. As two of the kimono can be incredibly and textured furoshiki (square
biggest camera stores, they expensive but makes a unique wrapping cloths). The Tokyo
each have several floors of and beautiful souvenir; one National Museum shop (see
every brand and every type supplier is Kodaimaru at the pp84–7) has a good selection
of equipment. Prices are Imperial Hotel. Used kimonos of furoshiki and scarves made
high, although the margin are usually a much more using traditional techniques.
is not as much as it once was. reasonable price and are Also good is Bengara (see
The language of cameras is often in excellent condition: “Traditional Arts and Crafts”).
universal, and staff can usually try the Oriental Bazaar, a Miyashita Obi on Nakamise-
help find anything. Ask for the complex of shops on Omote- dori at Senso-ji Temple (see
duty-free price; you can even try sando and Hayashi Kimono pp90–91) has wonderful obi
and bargain a little, parti cularly in Yurakucho. Yukata (cotton sashes, used to wrap the
if you are willing to pay cash. kimonos suitable for men and kimono at the waist.

108-109_EW_Japan.indd 109 08/08/16 2:53 pm