omiyage - good place to shop?

[Dadu]

Hi All,

I'm looking for recommendations on good places to shop for gifts that non-Japanese would like to take back to their countries which they might feel represent a part of Japan. Where you might be able to get traditional style goods.

I know this is a broad question, but I'm wondering if you can think of and recommend any specific stores (name, location, address, etc) that you feel would be a prime spot for such shopping?

It can be in the Tokyo or Osaka/kyoto areas.....

Would greatly appreciate responses.

Dadu..

[trip_hop]

Oriental bazaar, Omotesando dori, Harajuku, Tokyo

[swordfishtrombone]

i always find the nakamise road of shops leading up to kaminari temple in asakusa to be a great place to bring travelers looking for japanese trinkets, or as a one-stop shop to bring such stuff home for people. mostly touristy stuff, but in the surrounding shopping areas are some 'real' japanese crafts/kimono/shitamachi stuff. and generally much cheaper than other parts of town.

[liamoko]

I did all my Christmas shopping there yesterday, got some great deals. Yummy foods too!

[Dadu]

That's good info. Thank you for the assistance.

Any idea of such places in the kansai area?

[tara]

In Kobe I used to go to a store in the Motomachi Shotengai(arcade) which starts right near Daimaru and runs for quite a disctance down to Kobe JR Station. If you go down this arcade (quite a distance) say about 100-200 metres on your right is this shop that sells all sorts of Japanese crockery, I used to pick up small dishes for 200yen and they are really cute and went down well as gifts..
Not sure if it is still there but worth a try.

Tara