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| In a country that manufactures a large
percentage of entries world's consumer goods, and that structures its
entire national existence around the marketplace, it is no surprise that
shopping takes up a goodly propotion of most visitors' time. The Japanese
themselves love shopping, and look upon a visit to the big department
stores in major cities as recreation. The stores encourage this by offering
child-care service, giving away free food samples in their grocery markets
and delicatessens, holding art show and demonstrating native and forien
crafts. Among the valued items sought as souvenirs are cameras, VCRs, portable cassette players, watchs, kimonos, pearls, ceramics, bamboo ware, dolls, damascene , cloisonné, lacquer ware, woodblock prints and curios, all of which are availble in specialty shops andthe department stores of Tokyo and Osaka.
Recommened shoppin areas in Tokyo include the Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya, while the electronics didtrict of Akihabara is world-famous for its incredible array of electronic and eletrical devices and appliances of all kinds. Visitting Flea Markets(Nomi-no-ichi)  Known
as "nomi-no-ichi", flea markets are held in various parts
of Japan. Taking place mostly in the grounds of temples and shrines, flea
markets are usually open from early morning to late afternoon. Items on
sale range widely both in varieties and prices -from extremely expensive
antiques to inexpensive souvenir items. Dealing in old tableware, cloths,
furniture and sundry goods, these markets also attract many foreigners.
Just looking is fun. Get up a bit earlier in the morning and visit one.
Famous flea markets are listed below: "Togo-no-Mori Nomi-no-ichi" at Togo Shrine in Tokyo (3 min. walk from JR Harajuku Sta.); 1 st, 4th and 5th Sundays (5th Sunday in December excluded) "Aoyama Oval Plaza Aozora Kotto-ichi" at Aoyama Oval Plaza in Tokyo (1 min. walk from subway Omote-sando Sta.); 3rd saturday every month "Kitano Temmangu Nomi-no-ichi" at Kitano Temmangu Shrine in Kyoto (30 min. by bus from JR Kyoto Sta.); on the 25th day of each month "Kyoto Toji Garakuta-ichi & Kobo-ichi" at the South Gate of Toji Temple in Kyoto (10 min. walk from Toji Sta. on Kintetsu Line); 1st Sunday of every month (Garakuta-ichi) and the 21 st day of each month (Kobo-ichi) Tax-free Shopping As long as they have their passport with them, tourists (short-stay visitors) who spend more than ¥10,000 in one day at licensed duty-free shops, such as those at major department stores in large cities, do not have to pay the 5% consumption tax. However, this does not include purchases of consumables such as cosmetics, foodstuffs, alcohol, cigarettes, medicines, film and batteries. Major department stores generally have special duty-free counters with staff who speak English. |
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