Best souvenir shopping...Kanto or Kansai?

[kuro_kitty]

I need some souvenirs for friends and family...you know, the typical kimono, yukata, samurai sword stuff. Anyways, I'll be in both cities in March...I've had a brief look around Asakusa/Ueno in Tokyo, but am yet to see what's available in the Kansai area.

Should I wait til I come to Osaka to get a sh@tload of souvenirs...or am I better off getting stuff in Tokyo/Narita?

kuro_kitty

[kuro_kitty]

I guess not much advice out there for a topic like this....anyways....


What kind of souvenirs have y'all bought your family/friends?

What kind of souvenir has been the most appreciated or the most unappreciated?

Where is the best place in Tokyo to find things like swords/kimonos etc?

Has anyone had any problems taking a samurai sword souvenir (obviously not the antique ones) back on the plane?

[kuro_kitty]

Thanks

all great suggestions...I like the cake mix idea!

[Gaijin de Moscu]

Matcha-machi in Osaka is good for souvenirs.

I bought a good pair of Real Samurai Swords used in Samurai Sagas for hassen yen there.