Where can I find good souvenirs in Tokyo?

Question

All the places you know! Im goin there later in the month and I sorta wanna plan one or two things to do in Tokyo

Answer 1

It's been many years and my spelling may be faulty.

Shibuya - major shopping department store area
Akihibara - Electronic goodies galore
Ginza - Pachinko parlors, entertainment
I forget the name of the Sumo arena, but go if you can.

Ride a train outside of downtown for an hour and get off anywhere and just poke around. You will be amazed. Be sure to have a language and phrase book. Buy a map. If you are not sure of where you are, just stand on a corner and look lost and someone will stop and help you get to where you want to go. The best eating places do not usually have english subtitles, but will usually have amazing plastic models of the dishes on display from the street. This is where your phrase book will come in handy to translate the name of the dish and the price. Even though it was years ago I was stationed in Yokosuka for 2 6 month tours in the Navy, I have very fond memories of my experiences. Be sure to arrange for a traditional bath, somewhere outside of the major metro area. Remember, in most traditional places, shoes come off at the door. Be prepared for this. Learn how to use chopsticks. Japanese chopsticks, the better ones anyway, are laquered bamboo and pointed and not as easy as the round Chinese style common here. If you are good, you can pick up a single grain of rice from a bowl. Slurping noodles is just fine, you'll see. Never, ever poke your chopsticks into a bowl and leave them there. Always lay them across the lip if there is no "rest." A "rest" is a little ceramic thingie on the table where you rest the pointy ends to keep them off the table. Stabbing a bowl is considered bad form. Be prepared to squat to use bathroom facilities. Some traditional facilities do not have western style fixtures and have a porcelin bowl arrangement between footpads in the floor. It will flush just like the western style in some manner. Ride the Bullet Train. It goes really, really FAST. See the Emperor's Palace. It is an impressive structure. Go to Kyoto (?) and visit the Budda and light a handful of joss sticks. It is the one on all the postcards. Watch out for places which are "Japanese Only." Mostly, these are social clubs. Sometimes the sign is very small and hard to see. It is bad form to enter a "Japanese Only" establishment if you are not. I was invited into one by a friend acting as my guide. As a guest, it was frowned on, but acceptable for me to be there. I never spent so much in one place on so little. Whatever you do, do NOT be the typical loud tourist. Manners and respect are key ingredients. Be polite, always. Apologize even if it wasn't your fault. "Domo arigato" (thank you very much) will become your most used phrase. Just "domo" is a shorthand for a familiar form of thanks. I forget the rest I used to know. After all,it has been many years. Ah, yes... fond memories indeed. I think the traditional bath was the most pleasant thing I've ever done. One last thing, some of the baths in small town outlyiing areas are co-ed, family style. I discovered this the hard way. My guide took me to an inn on the old Tokaido Road somewhere about 100 miles from Tokyo. No one spoke English. My friend instructed me on how to use the washing area to wash with soap and then rinse off with water (from a natural hot spring) and after getting fully clean, actually entering the bath area, like a very big hottub, almost swimming pool size. At first, we were the only two in the bath and then a family of 4, father, mother, son, daughter entered and proceeded to wash, rinse and join us, all of us totally naked as the day we were born. It did take me a few minutes to get used to the idea. The next 30 minutes or so was my friend translating for me to ask and answer questions, especially from the kids. A great experience, which I highly recommend.

Answer 2

I second the recommendations for stationary. Pens, paper, stickers, etc are all way-cool. Another cheap, beautiful, and lightweight souvenir is hashi (chopsticks). You can get them at the 100 yen store, or find a large selection in any dept store w a wide variation in price ($3-$20 a pair).
My fave place in Tokyo was the Meiji shrine, but that's just me. If you go to Harajuku, which you probably will, the Meiji shrine is just across the bridge. The entrance of the shrine (park) is where all the interesting characters hang out on the weekends. You can take lots of photos of Goths, Lolitas, etc etc. They go there to be seen, so most of them like having their pictures taken.
The shrine itself is so huge, gorgeous, and peaceful. I love any temple or shrine, but this one took the cake. You might see a wedding party. The day I was there I saw 3 or 4 different wedding parties w Japanese bride in white kimono, headress, and wig. So cool.
Another souvenir that I personally like is omamori (charms). These are always sold in shrines, they are printed w the name of the shrine and there are different kinds--ones for safe driving, passing a test, having a healthy baby, good health, good luck, finding love and making money. They can be a little expensive, usually $5-10 each, so I just get them for myself.
Have a good trip, I am soooo jealous!!!!

Answer 3

100-yen stores are the best. The biggest chains are called Daiso and Can-do. There's a big Daiso store on Takeshita-dori in Harajuku, which is a can't-miss spot anyway. Go to the 100-yen stores before you buy anywhere else, or you'll be kicking yourself for paying 1000 yen (10 bucks) for things you could've gotten so much cheaper. 100-yen is "hyaku-en" in Japanese, and there's one in almost every neighborhood.

If you're prepared to spend money, on the other hand, there's tons of department store and boutique shopping almost anywhere, especially in Shibuya and Shinjuku. Check out Tokyu Hands for interesting things from around the world. There's one in both those areas.

In my opinion what Japan does better than anywhere else is stationery (pens, notebooks, etc.) . Ask for a "bunbohgu-ya".

Answer 4

My favorite stationary store "Bunbougu-ya" is called "ITOYA".
Their shop in Ginza is helpful because the staff speak English.

MUJI also supply good stationaries as well as all the other goods you may need in daily life. Their shop in Yurakucho is good. Easy access from Yuraku-cho station, located next to a big electoric appliance store, Yamada Denki.

My favorite towns for shopping are... Marunouchi, Harajuku,Shimokitazawa.
For souvenirs, I recommend japanese traditional crafts like patterened paper, towel, fu-rin, table ware.
It may be good to get chopstick rests for your silver stand.

Have fun!

Answer 5

I am so jealous that you are going to Tokyo. I think Shibuya is the major shopping district in Tokyo.I am sorry I can't really help you with your problem! Have fun in Japan!!

Answer 6

they have "yen" stores that have all sorts of goodies for a yen.
sort of like our dollar stores. one guy I worked with does this a couple times a year, bring back some interesting things and doesn't cost a fotune either. BTW I think, 1dollar US = 117.5 Yen current friday exchange rate!

Answer 7

Shibuya is a good area to get some good sovenirs

Answer 8

some of the best ones we got were in the airport. there are also some great shops in the ginza.

Answer 9

Hmmmmm.. not sure ... it's been a long time...

don't buy any carved ivory if you are from the USA.. you can't bring it back.