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Kyoto's Best Souvenirs And Places To Buy Them

Kyoto's Best Souvenirs And Places To Buy Them

Kyoto 2016.10.17 Bookmark

Kyoto is the ideal place to find unique Japanese souvenirs. In this article we introduce some of the shopping spots worth checking out, as well as what kind of souvenirs can be purchased there. Keep your memories of Kyoto with these great souvenirs!

Translated by Takuya Erik Watanabe

Written by Seika Yamashiro

Kyoto is a popular sightseeing destination among visitors from Japan and from around the world. Today we'll be introducing some recommended places and shopping spots for Kyoto-exclusive souvenirs and experiences.

Recommended Shopping Spots in Kyoto

Kyoto is known for its many World Heritage Sites and a unique atmosphere. But there are also many places in this wonderful city where visitors can enjoy shopping.

1. Shinkyogoku and Teramachi Street

This is a shopping street right by the Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi station or the Tozai Subway Line Shiyakushomae station. Shops that sell washi (Japanese paper) and sensu (fans) line the street. It's a great spot to search for Kyoto-exclusive items.

Kyosensu - Elegant Fans from Kyoto

From A Gentle Breeze from “Sensu” to Cool Late Summer Heat

Kyosensu are Kyoto-style fans. They are made only in a few places in Kyoto and Shiga. Each is carefully crafted by skilled craftsmen. Hakuchikudo is a sensu specialty store, where you can find various traditional Kyoto sensu fans.

Hidariuma - A Go-To For Geisha

Kyoto's Souvenirs And Experiences - 3 Great Places To Visit

Hidariuma is a long-established cosmetics store founded in 1897. The store offers many cosmetics items such as oil blotting paper. It is said that many of Kyoto's geisha visit the store regulary.

Kyukyodo - A Long-Established Washi Specialty Store

From You Can Find a Great Gift at “Kyukyo-do” in Kyoto

Kyukyodo is a long-established washi, or Japanese paper specialty store. Other than letter paper made from washi, also known as binsen, they also sell brushes and other stationery. They have various items with traditional Japanese patterns and designs available. How about using some of the traditional Japanese stationery to express your thoughts of gratitude toward someone special?

Nishiki Street - Loved By Locals and Visitor Alike

Kyoto's Best Spots For Souvenirs And Traditional Arts Arts And Crafts

From Kyoto's Kitchen Nishiki Market - Top 10 Things To Try And Where To Go

Nishiki street is a popular spot among visitors to Kyoto, but at the same time it is a shopping street loved by the local people as well. The street stretches about 390 meters and is known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", as you will be able to find various typical Kyoto snacks and ingredients there.

Sawawa - Matcha Warabimochi

From Kyoto's Kitchen Nishiki Market - Top 10 Things To Try And Where To Go

Besides groceries and snack, you will also find some rather unique items such as matcha warabimochi. These warabimochi (glutinous rice sweets) are made from fresh matcha prepared at the store. Most normal warabimochi are covered in a light kinako (roasted soybean)powder. These matcha warabimochi offer a great combination of a traditional snack and the "Taste of Kyoto".

Kyotos Best Snacks and Souvenirs

From Kyoto's Kitchen Nishiki Market - Top 10 Things To Try And Where To Go

You will also be able to find numerous variations of edible souvenirs. Items such as individually wrapped snacks, Kyoto pickles and sake can be found and purchased at reasonable prices.

From Kyoto's Kitchen Nishiki Market - Top 10 Things To Try And Where To Go

Nishiki Market also offers a big variety of Kyoto ceramic and glassware as well as many unique and peculiar souvenirs related to Kyoto.

Where to Find the Aromatic Tea of Kyoto?

Tea is one of Kyoto's most popular souvenirs. But where is the best place to experience and buy it?

Ippodo - The Long Established Specialty Store

There are many shops specializing in Japanese tea in Kyoto, but by far the most famous is Ippodo. We highly recommend stopping by to those who want to try the genuine taste of Japanese tea.

Wazukacha Cafe - Matcha Art and High-Quality Green Tea

From Enjoy Matcha Art In Wazuka, The Town Of Tea

If just drinking delicious matcha is not enough, then please head here! Wazukacha Cafe is located in Wazuka, Kyoto. Wazuka is Japan's number one producer of tencha, which is the name of the tea leaves that will become matcha.

Visitors can learn how to enjoy matcha, or even how to create some matcha art. It is a great place to enjoy matcha to the fullest and buy some fresh tea as well.

Gion Tsujiri - Matcha Flavored Souveniers and Parfait

Matcha is delicious as it is but some might think its taste is a little too bitter. For the latter category, we recommend enjoying it with some sweets.

Gion Tsujiri is an Uji Matcha specialty store established in 1860. They offer not only matcha tea but various Japanese-style sweets as a different way to enjoy the tea leaves. You will be craving more once you've experienced the unique balance between sweet and bitter.

Best Places for Japanese Arts and Crafts

Now we'll introduce some stores that offer lovely small accessories, such as tabi socks and sensu fans.

Miyawaki Baisenan - Pioneer of Kyosensu Fans

Miyawaki Baisenan is said to be a shop that exemplifies Kyoto's history and style. If you want to bring home a genuine and unique Kyosensu fan, this is your first stop.

Kungyokudo - Incense Items

Kungyokudo is an incense specialty store established in 1594. The incenses available here are created mainly from vegetable perfume, and are very popular among Japanese people as well as tourists from other countries.

Echigoya - 70-Year-Old Used Kimono Shop

If you wish to purchase a kimono in Kyoto, you might want to consider a reasonably priced antique kimono. Echigoya is a kimono recycle shop where visitors can find beautiful kimonos at very good prices. Owning a real kimono you bought in Kyoto would probably make your trip even more memorable.

Sou・Sou - Sneaker-Like Tabi Socks?

From SOU・SOU in Kyoto– Japanese Clothing for Modern-Day Japan

Sou・Sou is a Japanese clothing store with the concept of "creating a new Japanese culture". Here you will be able to find appealing items with new modern designs that have been inspired by Japanese traditions and patterns.