Kyoto Support » Forum: Shopping, Souvenirs and Kyoto Meibutsu

Kyoto Support » Forum: Shopping, Souvenirs and Kyoto Meibutsu - Recent Posts http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/forum/shopping-souvenirs-and-kyoto-meibutsu Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Thu, 23 May 2013 17:56:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php Evenie on "Chiyogami factory in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/chiyogami-factory-in-kyoto#post-264 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:25:34 +0000 Evenie 264@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello Mie, Thank you for your reply. I know quite well the Kakimoto papershop as it is where I go to buy japanese papers, and I met Kakimoto-san just yesterday. I will go back today and ask where their chiyogami come from. Karacho factory is also famous, since a TV show recently broadcasted a documentary on this workshop. So, for sure, I will go there and maybe experience some kyo karagami making (which is so beautiful!). Again, thank you for your help! Mie on "Chiyogami factory in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/chiyogami-factory-in-kyoto#post-263 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:10:31 +0000 Mie 263@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi Evenie, My name is Mie and I'm a tour guide. I think you might be interested in a woodblock-printed paper studio called Karacho established in 1624.The present owner is the 12th generation. <a href="http://www.designboom.com/history/karachokarakami.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.designboom.com/history/karachokarakami.html</a> Also, there is a paper shop called Kamiji-Kakimoto on the Teramachi street.Although it's not a paper factory, still you'll be able to find a wide viriety of hand-made paper with beautiful designs. I hope this would help you enjoy your stay in Kyoto. Thank you. Evenie on "Chiyogami factory in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/chiyogami-factory-in-kyoto#post-262 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:35:22 +0000 Evenie 262@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello everyone, I am new on this forum and I find it's very useful! especially the foddie part:) I'd love to support Kyoto, this is the most beautiful town in the world (better than Paris where I live). I am currently in Kyoto until the end of March, and I want to visit a factory that makes chiyogami 千代紙 or katazomegami 型染紙. I am fond of japanese papers and I've already visited some of the paper shops in Kyoto (included Rakushi kan, where I did some washi stuff last week). But I'd like to know if some of you knows a way to visit the paper factories. Thank you a lot for your help! Hope to meet you here in Kyoto :) marimu on "Garden tools and seeds" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/garden-tools-and-seeds#post-249 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:12:15 +0000 marimu 249@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I will visit Kyoto in october and want to buy some garden tools and seeds (flowers and vegetables). Where can I find them? Michael on "Kyoto Incense Stores: Shoyeido, Yamada Matsu, Kyukyodo, Lisn" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-incense-stores#post-248 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:41:44 +0000 Michael 248@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Here is a run down on the major incense stores in Kyoto. With the exception of Lisn, all are shinise (old, traditional stores). Japanese incense makes for excellent gifts and souvenirs to take home. Shoyeido (松栄堂) Shoyeido, also spelled Shoeido (and pronounced ‘shoeido’) started in 1705 and offers a huge variety of the highest quality traditional Japanese incense, incense burners and other related traditional tools and accoutrements used to burn and appreciate incense in Japan. Shoyeido is a purveyor to the head temples of all the major Japanese Buddhist sects. Shoyeido has two locations in Kyoto, several in Tokyo and one in Hokkaido. Shoyeido is where I buy my incense for burning at home, usually Horikawa and Genroku. In my experience, Shoyeido while the store has class, I always feel a haughty chill from the staff. I recall once walking out and saying to myself, I could have received the same service from a robot. Oh well, Kyoto is not a place known for its warmth. Kyoto Honten (main store) 松栄堂京都本店 tel: 075-212-5590 website: <a href="http://www.shoyeido.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.shoyeido.co.jp</a> address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Karasuma-dori, Nijo-agaru, Higashigawa(京都市中京区烏丸通二条上ル東側) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.015042,135.759982&spn=0.003524,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b8452ad6a539d5e3">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> The Kyoto Main Store is located on the east side of Karasuma Street 2 1/2 blocks south of the Karasuma-Marutamachi intersection. Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line is the closest station. Shoyeido is about a 5 minute walk to Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace to the north and to the Kyoto International Manga Museum to the south. Yamada Matsu (山田松香木店) Yamada Matsu began around 1790 and is a purveyor of very fine incense and implements used in the burning and appreciation of Japanese incense. My experience with Yamada Matsu much more limited than the other stores mentioned in this post. It seems to me that if you know something about Japanese incense you can find what you are looking for here. I never quite know what to buy here and have never been really impressed with the incense that I bought. The showroom is very nice. At friends' houses though, I have experienced Yamada Matsu incense that impressed me. (I will keep shopping there and update this with more insight, hopefully.) Yamada Matsu is located on Muromachi-dori street a short walk to the west from Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace. tel: 075-441-1123 website: <a href="http://www.yamadamatsu.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.yamadamatsu.co.jp</a> address: Kyoto-shi, Kamigyo-ku, Muromachi-dori Shimodachiuri-agaru, Kageyukoji-cho 164 (京都市上京区室町通下立売上ル勘解由小路町164) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.021667,135.757976&spn=0.003523,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b848bd7be153fc10">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> Kyukyodo (鳩居堂) Kyukyodo started in 1663 as an apothecary, the business soon expanded to incense and painted and calligraphic stationary. Kyukyodo is a one-stop shop for all manner of traditional tools and art objects related to calligraphy and painting, incense, tea ceremony, fans, washi paper and so on. Many beautiful and seasonal illustrated postcards, stationary sets, calendars and so on are also available. Kyukyodo is a great place to purchase some Kyoto-style souvenirs! There is also a store in Ginza, Tokyo. My favorite incense at Kyukyodo is not the variety that is burned but a kind of sachet, not at all 'girly'. They can be put in a wardrobe to give clothing a wonderful fragrance and under your pillow, for sublime dreams. tel: 075-231-0510 website: <a href="http://www.kyukyodo.co.jp‎" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyukyodo.co.jp‎</a> (Japanese only) address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Teramachi Anekoji-agaru, Shimohonnojimae-cho 520 (京都市中京区寺町姉小路上ル下本能寺前町520) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.011545,135.766382&spn=0.003524,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b84765d32ba4e9fb">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> Kyukyodo is located in the Teramachi Street Shopping Arcade at the north-west corner of Teramachi and Anekoji streets. It is about a 2 minute walk south from Oike Street. The closest station is Shiyakushomae (city hall), on the Tozai Subway Line. Lisn Lisn is a relatively new company started by Shoyeido whose tagline is "Sophisticated incense for listeners by Shoyeido Incense Co." Listeners? At first (some years ago) I thought that this brand was intended for people serious about music appreciation or something. But, to 'listen' to a fragrance is an expression for classical Japanese court life. I guess that if you have time to 'listen' to smells, life must be great! Lisn’s line on incense has never impressed me. It is all about presentation. I would guess that the scents are chemically created and not especially novel as compared to what is available in Western countries. Lisn does offer a plethora of scents to choose from, they have more than 200! The white, minimalist store is quite interesting. All the multicolored incense varieties are spread out on wavy glass sheets and you go make your way through the store with a self service tray that a staff member at the door has forced into your hands - whether or not you want to shop or just browse. (Not very Kyoto-style service.) Lisn also has stores in Tokyo and Helsinki. Hokey fragrance names include: Virginal, Hit My Soul, Since, Mother's Chest, Chuckling Wool, Visible. Did someone spend too much time flipping through a dictionary, and not enough time actually learning English? Prices are fairly reasonable, compared to Shoyeido. However, you only get 10 sticks rather than 20. The Kyoto store is located in the Cocon Karasuma shopping center located just south of the intersection of Shijo and Karasuma streets. A 1 minute walk from the Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Railway or Karasuma Subway Line. website: <a href="http://www2.lisn.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www2.lisn.co.jp</a> tel: 075-353-6466 address: Kyoto-shi, Shimogyo-ku, Karasuma-dori Shijo Sagaru Cocon (京都市下京区烏丸通四条下ル古今) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.004067,135.75965&spn=0.003524,0.003718&z=18&iwloc=00048b859da14bb235e40">OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map</a> Take Away: You might like Lisn, but the other incense companies mentioned above are have been loved by the people of Kyoto over the centuries and offer quality traditional fragrances that ought to be very difficult to find abroad. If you are a designer or marketer, the Lisn store, and all of Cocon ought to be of interest to you. JimR on "Natrual Hones/Whetstones/Waterstones?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/natrual-honeswhetstoneswaterstones#post-237 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:23:19 +0000 JimR 237@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello, I have a rather eccentric hobby, using and collecting traditional straight razors (both Western and Japanese) and as part of that I am very interested in Japanese natural whetstones/hones (天然砥石）, which are considered the best in the world for creating a superb edge on any kind of blade (think about how sharp those legendary swords have to be!). Kyoto has been the center of mining and distributing these stones for centuries, and I was wondering if anyone here had ideas about any shops dealing in them, or even better a museum dedicated to these stones? I'd love to learn more about them, and living in Yamaguchi-ken I have little chance to do so. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jim Michael on "Kyoto Furoshiki Store: Karakusaya, Kakefuda" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-furoshiki-stores#post-223 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:04:19 +0000 Michael 223@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ SouSou has a furoshiki shop now? I have to check that one out! archer_root on "Kyoto Furoshiki Store: Karakusaya, Kakefuda" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-furoshiki-stores#post-221 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:41:43 +0000 archer_root 221@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Sou Sou is a Kyoto clothier which draws upon Japanese fashion tradition for its own design. They have a furoshiki shop, as well as a shop for mens' fashion, womens' fashion, jikitabi, and bicycle fashion. All distinct shops in the same neighborhood. <a href="http://www.sousou.co.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sousou.co.jp/</a> Here's a map: <a href="http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=sou+sou&fb=1&gl=jp&hq=sou+sou&hnear=%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%BA%9C&cid=0,0,814891330499910548&ei=_UzpSvorkPbqA-yeuOYL&ved=0CBAQnwIwAA&ll=35.004796,135.767713&spn=0.010124,0.017874&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A" rel="nofollow">http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=sou+sou&fb=1&gl=jp&hq=sou+sou&hnear=%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%BA%9C&cid=0,0,814891330499910548&ei=_UzpSvorkPbqA-yeuOYL&ved=0CBAQnwIwAA&ll=35.004796,135.767713&spn=0.010124,0.017874&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A</a> miwa on "Porter bags in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/porter-bags-in-kyoto#post-206 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:20:03 +0000 miwa 206@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello! You should be able to find porter bags at many places. The biggest collection would be KURA CHIKA Kyoto shop, on the 2nd floor in Fujii Daimaru department store. It is where Teramachi st. and Shijo st. meet. <a href="http://www.frontstyle.com/shopsearch/shop_detail.php?shopid=S_001639" rel="nofollow">http://www.frontstyle.com/shopsearch/shop_detail.php?shopid=S_001639</a> I remember seeing their bags at Takashimaya department store, and at LOFT(shopping building). They are all close together, so you can easily go the three on foot. incognito on "Porter bags in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/porter-bags-in-kyoto#post-204 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:25:24 +0000 incognito 204@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, does anyone know where I can find Porter bags in Kyoto? And which store has the biggest collection of Porter bags? Thanks! adania on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-184 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:07:25 +0000 adania 184@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Wow! Those are very nice! I have never seen any with the dish together before. The one my mother has is like the normal 100yen ones (like i have!), but instead of being perfectly round, the outline is kaki-shaped, with a sort of stem + leaf bit on one side. Have you seen any nice ceramics shops selling these kind of goods? I don't need it to be a fancy shape, but I want to get her something nicer than 100yen! I looked around at the tezukuri-ichiba at Chionji today, but I didn't see anything... miwa on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-183 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:55:57 +0000 miwa 183@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ This one is very pretty. <a href="http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sara-cera/s0005660/" rel="nofollow">http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sara-cera/s0005660/</a> from rakuten online store...... miwa on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-182 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:51:31 +0000 miwa 182@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello! I don't quite understand what you mean by persimmon-shape. This is ceramic one of those conventional shape, that you can easily get at 100 yen stores. <a href="http://www.living-e.jp/?pid=14487361" rel="nofollow">http://www.living-e.jp/?pid=14487361</a> I found cute one, not sure if this is hand made, though. <a href="http://kosome.ocnk.net/product/317" rel="nofollow">http://kosome.ocnk.net/product/317</a> If this is what you are looking for, you could image search with おろし器.　（oroshi-ki) Or am I looking for wrong thing? adania on "Ceramic Ginger/Garlic graters" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ceramic-gingergarlic-graters#post-181 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:16:09 +0000 adania 181@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ A few years ago, when my mother visited Japan, she bought herself a very cute, persimmon-shaped ceramic grater for ginger and garlic. It's the kind that is just a flat disk of pottery, pricked many times before firing to leave raised sharp bumps across the surface to do the grating. It's very cute, and after using hers, i got myself a plain, white, 100yen shop one to use at home. Well, hers is finally wearing out, and she asked me to find her a new one, but i have no idea where she got hers (it may not have been in Kyoto...) I have looked around at Nishiki-koji, and in many ceramic shops here and there (including the streets around Kiyomizu), but i haven't found anything similar at all... Does anyone know where i could find one of these? Especially an attractive handmade one? Michael on "Kyoto Furoshiki Store: Karakusaya, Kakefuda" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-furoshiki-stores#post-174 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:46:46 +0000 Michael 174@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Did an article on OpenKyoto about these three stores. There are large photos of the storefronts and Google Maps. <a href="http://openkyoto.com/stores/buy-furoshiki-in-kyoto.html" title="Karakusaya and Kakefuda">Where to Buy Furoshiki in Kyoto: Karakusaya and Kakefuda</a> Funazushi on "Where to Purchase Condiments, Sauces and Spices in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/where-to-purchase-condiments-sauces-and-spices-in-kyoto#post-160 Fri, 22 May 2009 13:39:41 +0000 Funazushi 160@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Has anyone any idea where I can get seeds to grow sansho? Ideally I'm looking for a mail order seed company so that I can get them overseas (Canada). kyotogubbins on "Lacquerware Shop in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-159 Thu, 21 May 2009 10:11:59 +0000 kyotogubbins 159@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Thanks a lot both, looking forward to my next visit already. miwa on "Lacquerware Shop in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-155 Sat, 16 May 2009 14:10:31 +0000 miwa 155@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Oh, and I also like うるしの常三郎 (Urushi no Tsunezaburou) store. They have several stores in Kyoto. The most convenient one is on Ponto-cho street, on west side of the street, closer to Shijo-street end. They have reasonably priced lacquerware. miwa on "Lacquerware Shop in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-154 Sat, 16 May 2009 14:04:48 +0000 miwa 154@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello, I am sorry for not replying sooner. I think the lacquerware store you are talking about is Shikki no Asobe store.(漆器のアソベ). The store used to be facing Shijo street, but they have MOVED to Shijo Higashinotoin-sagaru, which is south from Shijo-street X Higashinotoin-street crossing. They are still doing business, of course; it is a really popular shinise store, that has started in 1807. 〒600-8091 京都市下京区東洞院通四条下ル元悪王子47-5 075-344-5333 10:00〜19:00 closed on Wednesdays miwa on "I need boots!" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/i-need-boots#post-138 Wed, 06 May 2009 01:18:36 +0000 miwa 138@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello bambootrance-san, I think it is easier to find large size on line stores. Some of rain shoes have size up to XL and 25. <a href="http://www.bath-ec.com/rain070612.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bath-ec.com/rain070612.html</a> and the below is the online store for large size clothing and accessories, Nissen <a href="http://www.nissen.co.jp/smileland/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nissen.co.jp/smileland/</a> I could not find rain boots, but they might be on sale soon. I will post when I find more websites. M Michael on "I need boots!" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/i-need-boots#post-137 Wed, 06 May 2009 00:43:59 +0000 Michael 137@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello there bambootrance So, you are looking for a store in Kyoto? If you want to keep you feet dry, does that mean that just utilitarian boots will do? Or, do you need some style? Do you want rubber boots? P bambootrance on "I need boots!" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/i-need-boots#post-136 Tue, 05 May 2009 23:27:29 +0000 bambootrance 136@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Rain is coming and I have big feet! Haha. Want to keep them dry but finding the shoe stores don't carry my sizes. I wear a size 9wide in U.S. Where can I find larger size shoes? Preferably feminine styles. Thank you. kyotogubbins on "Lacquerware Shop in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lacquerware-shop#post-134 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:29:35 +0000 kyotogubbins 134@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi all, Just back from a second visit to Kyoto. When I was there last year, there was a really nice lacquerware shop - lovely but pretty pricey - on Shijo Dori (?)near the Louis Vuitton shop. It seems to have closed down and been replaced by a cafe, any idea if it's gonew somewhere else? If not, any recommendations for nice lacquerware shops in Kyoto gratefully received. Looking for reasonably high end kaiseki kagu. miwa on "Kyoto Markets: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-markets-kitano-shrine-tenjin-san-toji-temple-kobo-san-and-tezukuri-ichi#post-107 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:04:38 +0000 miwa 107@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Yes, I like the Kamiyamo shrine one, too! adania on "Kyoto Markets: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-markets-kitano-shrine-tenjin-san-toji-temple-kobo-san-and-tezukuri-ichi#post-100 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:16:58 +0000 adania 100@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I also like the Tezukuri-ichi at Kamigamo shrine on the 4th Sunday of the month. Some of the vendors from Chion-ji show up there as well, and they are more spaciously arranged along the little stream on the grounds of the shrine. Michael on "Where to buy fine sake in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/where-to-buy-fine-sake-in-kyoto#post-97 Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:36:07 +0000 Michael 97@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ -- Added Osaki Shoten 大崎商店 info (above) today I stopped in at Osaki Shoten 大崎商店 in Fushimi yesterday and was very impressed with their selection. The owner is friendly and really into excellent sake. I doubt that they speak English though. They don't even have a website. The building is a large machiya and the store is packed with sake and shochu. If you are in the neighborhood, it is certainly worth a peek. Though this store is in Fushimi, they stock fine sake from all over Japan. miwa on "Kyoto Markets: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-markets-kitano-shrine-tenjin-san-toji-temple-kobo-san-and-tezukuri-ichi#post-93 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:04:35 +0000 miwa 93@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Top Three Markets in Kyoto: Kitano Shrine Tenjin-san, Toji Temple Kobo-san and Tezukuri-ichi Chionji Temple Tenjin-san and Kobo-san markets, with hundreds of years of history are the place to buy vintage Japanese cultural items such as kimono, wood carvings, scrolls, ceramic, books, various antiques and so on. The variety is nearly endless. There are also many food vendors. Going is always a lot of fun and some real treasure can be had often at a reasonable price. Unlike Japanese retail stores, you can feel free to negotiate a lower price. The tezukuri-ichi is devoted to handmade (new) items with a bit of a Japanese hippie vibe. 1. Tenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine 天神さん北野天満宮 This market is held on the 25th of every month on the grounds of historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in the Nishijin area of Kyoto. There are so many variety of products to buy. Especially kimonos and kimono fabric are very reasonably priced, they are good for displaying as interior or art decorations. There are also interesting antique Japanese ornaments, wood prints, and hand crafts, which is perfect for souvenir of Japan. when: 25th of every month time: 7am - 4pm how many: 1000 vendors where: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine 2. Kobo-san Market at Toji Temple 弘法さん東寺 This market is held on the 21st of every month on the grounds of historic Toji Temple in the south part of the city, near JR Kyoto Station. Like Tenjin-san, there are so many variety of products and many more stands for antique ornaments. Things such as Japanese carpentry tools, antique architectural related items such as sliding door handles, roof tiles, wooden carvings and so on may be a little more common at Kobo-san. However every time the vendors have different items for sale. when: 21st of every month time: 7am - 4pm how many: 1000 1300 vendors where: Toji Temple 3.Tezukuri-ichi Market 手作り市知恩寺 This market, tezukuri-ichi, literally, 'handmade market' is held on the 15th of every month on the grounds of Chionji Temple in the Hyakumanben and Demachiyanagi neighborhoods near Kyoto University. Everything sold at this market are handmade products, from food to clothing, to jewelry, to furniture -- and more. There are many young artists and craftsmen that participate. Not many traditional Japanese products are offered though, but this market is very enjoyable and the vendors are especially friendly. when: 15th of every month time: 8am - 4pm how many: 300 vendors where: Chionji Temple Weather: What if it rains? If it rains on the markets day, Tenjin-san at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Kobo-san at Toji temple will still be held, but at much smaller scale. Tezukuri-ichi at Chionji Temple will be held on the next day, instead. If 16th was also rainy day, it will be cancelled for the month. Getting the Best At all of these markets, prices are negotiable, especially if you go around closing time. However, if you would like to find quality products, it is recommended to go early. Michael on "Kyoto Souvenir: Original Handbag, Tote Bags, Purses, Wallets and Rucksack Makers" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-souvenir-original-handbag-tote-bags-purses-wallets-and-rucksack-makers#post-92 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:05:10 +0000 Michael 92@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Oh, I found some photos I snapped at a photoshoot several years ago of Cream's Italian Leather, Japanese Linen, Nishijin Weaving Bags. They are pretty awesome! (I haven't been over to Cream for a few years so I don't know if they are still making exactly the same bags. The few, tiny photos on their website look the same to me though.) <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-1.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-2.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-3.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-4.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-5.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-cream-bag-6.jpg" title="Kyoto Cream Bags" alt="Kyoto Cream Bags" /> Michael on "Kyoto Souvenir: Original Handbag, Tote Bags, Purses, Wallets and Rucksack Makers" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-souvenir-original-handbag-tote-bags-purses-wallets-and-rucksack-makers#post-90 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:40:48 +0000 Michael 90@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ High-quality, unique and fashionable bags make an excellent souvenir from Kyoto. There are several producers in the city that offer various styles to choose from. Here are two famous ones, an up-and-coming one and an undiscovered one. Ichizawa Hampu vs. Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hampu 'Hampu' means canvas in Japanese. The Bad Guy: Ichizawa Hampu 一澤帆布 The legendary bag from Kyoto is from Ichizawa Hampu. However, we recommend that you DO NOT patronize Ichizawa Hampu for the reasons below. <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-ichizawa-hampu-badge.gif" alt="Kyoto Ichizawa Hampu" /> Ichizawa Hampu started business in 1905 making very sturdy canvas bags for milk, sake, ice, and newspaper deliver companies in town. Many of the bags were used by ice making companies that supplied the drinking establishments in Gion, which explains why Ichizawa Hampu is located in Gion. These were very tough and durable and utilitarian bags and not sold to the general public. The story that I heard (that I have not confirmed) is that in the 1950's a major American newspaper, I think it was the New York Times did an article about Ichizawa Hampu bags, which they thought were really wonderful. A few other newspapers did and well and Western travelers to Kyoto sought out the company and purchased bags for souvenirs. Word spread to professors and others that could read English in Japan and when they came to Kyoto, they too sought out Ichizawa Hampu to emulate their Western colleagues. Then Japanese school children visiting Kyoto on school excursions got in on the action and a real brand was born. These apparently were the children of the professors. Ichizawa Hampu only sold their bags at their store, located across the street from the gate of Chion-in temple. If you wanted one, you have to come to Kyoto to buy it. Also, they were made after the customer paid and they were delivered via mail. The Problem: The eldest son of the Ichizawa family, Ichizawa Shintaro, who worked as a banker in Nagoya all his career is now the owner of Ichizawa Hampu. He gained control of the company by very dubious circumstances. The original staff of 65 craftsmen that made Ichizawa Hampu's bags for decades no longer work there and the company that supplied the canvas fabric for Ichizawa Hampu's signature bags also for decades will not deal with the company anymore. So, the bags that made Ichizawa Hampu what it was can no longer made there. The bags that are made by the company are replicas of the classic. The third generation owner of Ichizawa Hampu died in 2001 and his third son, Ichizawa Shinzaburo, who had worked in the company for 25 years, was the heir to the company. The third generation owner of the company wrote his will and left it in the care of his lawyer. Four months after the father died, the eldest son, the banker in Nagoya who had never worked in the company said that he had a will that stated that he would he would inherit the company. And that it was dates after the will left in the care of the lawyer. Four months! The second will was extremely suspicious. It was written in ball point pen and the inkon (personal seal) was not the father's hand-carved, official, registered seal but a plastic one available from any discount seal shop. The will in the possession of the lawyer was written with a brush and stamped with the father's registered seal. A lawsuit ensued and quite unbelievably the incompetence of the Japanese judicial system prevailed -- a system still without jury trials -- sided with the eldest brother and his ball point pen written, unofficial seal will! This lead to the end of Ichizawa Hampu and the creation of Shizaburo Hampu. Ichizawa Shinzaburo, the third brother who lost in court, started his own company and the entire stuff of craftsmen abandoned Ichizawa Hampu to follow Shinzaburo. Additionally, the canvas maker refused to supply canvas to Ichizawa Hampu, instead only dealing with Shinzaburo. So, the older brother got his company and prime location on Higashi-oji Street but had no staff, no products and no materials. Quite an entrepreneur! Ichizawa Hampu is still in business and managed to hire some new staff. The signature label and chain stitching is the same, but the heart and soul is definitely not there. Ichizawa Hampu is perpetually trying to hire skilled craftsmen willing to work there but apparently not having much luck. Doshisha Elementary School, a very famous school in Kyoto used to have the school bags of all their students made by Ichizawa Hampu, but they also switched to Shinzaburo Hampu. Ichizawa Hampu website: <a href="http://www.ichizawa-hanpu.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.ichizawa-hanpu.co.jp</a> The Good Guy: Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hampu 一澤信三郎帆布 Ichizawa Shinzaburo set-up shop in the same neighborhood, a few doors down and restarted the family business with his own new style but with the traditional canvas fabric and staff of craftsmen. <img src="http://www.openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/media/kyoto-shinzaburo-hampu.gif" alt="Kyoto Shinzaburo Hampu" /> Shinzaburo has added patterned prints to his line up and does collaborations with other artists. Perhaps his most famous collaborator is AstroBoy. If you are a fan of the manga you can score a really unique, handcrafted bag with Shinzaburo. Shinzaburo Hampu offers an interesting assortment of products in various color schemes and patterns, mostly bags but there are also hats, pencil cases, aprons and so on. Shinzaburo Hampu website: <a href="http://www.ichizawashinzaburohanpu.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.ichizawashinzaburohanpu.co.jp</a> (lots of great photos, Japanese language only) Different Canvas As the two retail stores are right next to each other, you can check out both. It is said that the canvas fabric of Shinzaburo is thick, hard and has the paraffin smell of canvas. The Ichizawa Hampu fabric is soft and thin and doesn't smell like canvas. A second court case was concluded several months ago and the high court reversed the ridiculous decision of the Kyoto court. A graphologist (handwriting analysis expert) testified that the second will was a fraud and not written by the father. However, it seems that Ichizawa Hampu will stay in the hands of the elder brother. Nearly 10 years have now passed, the damage has been done and Shinzaburo Hampu has the name recognition now. So it seems that Ichizwa Hampu will just continue to wither. The only people that seem to purchase Ichizawa Hampu bags these days are foreigners. The publishers of guide books haven't heard the news yet, it seems. Somehow the news hasn't filter overseas yet. One of our intentions with OpenKyoto is to improve the city and it's culture. Patronizing a fraud like Ichizwa Hampu is certainly not good for Kyoto or the world. Help spread the word abroad that Ichizawa Hampu is not the brand and products that it used to be. Up-and-Coming: Tanaka Hokyo 京都・田中豊享の帆布＆デニムバッグ Tanaka Hokyo is the third generation owner of this bag company in Kyoto. He born in 1944 and his father and grandfather were designers too. Tanaka Hokyo studied design under a famous designer and then struck out on his own. He worked as an creator with more than 200 stores of Japanese traditional wear, Western clothing stores, fashion goods, and so on. About 30 years ago he discovered the fabric that was used when filtering Japanese sake which, after years of use is extremely durable and has a texture and feel that is unlike anything else. It is impregnated with sake mash! With this fabric from used sake bags (sakabukuro), he produced about 30,000 bags over the years. But as sake production changed getting the sakabukuro bags became increasingly difficult. Tanaka Hokyo developed a 'new' sakabukuro fabric that has the 'lived-in' quality of the authentic bags but could be obtained easily. With this new fabric in hand, Tanaka Hokyo started their original brand of bags in 1996. Tanaka Hokyo bags have become quite famous for their original fabric, canvas and denim that they have developed in recent years. All the bag fabrication is done by hand. website: <a href="http://www.hokyo-bag.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.hokyo-bag.jp</a> (lots of great photos, Japanese language only) The Undiscovered:Cream Company (Harada Shoten) 原田商店 Cream is a small company in Kyoto that make some very unique and interesting bags. The owner of the company designs everything and really loves leather. Cream mainly sells their products wholesale, but they do have a little showroom on the second floor of their office. While not quite a store, it does have a show window and customers are welcome. The owner has always been very friendly with me, often travels abroad and speaks some English. My Favorite Leather Bags, Purses and Wallets in the World This series is made of Italian leather that has been woven in a Kyoto Nishijin weaving workshop with high quality Japanese linen into a mesh that the world has probably never seen before. The handles are made of Japanese cherry branches, with the bark still on, this material was common with traditional bags and crafts. Mesh Products <a href="http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_024.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_024.htm</a> Products <a href="http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_013.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cream-kyoto.com/cream_013.htm</a> Cream homepage (circa 1995 site and no English) <a href="http://www.cream-kyoto.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cream-kyoto.com/</a> You can probably email Cream in *simple* English if need be, email address is on the site. Michael on "Where to buy fine sake in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/where-to-buy-fine-sake-in-kyoto#post-88 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:09:21 +0000 Michael 88@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I just got back from a midnight run to Kunitaya, you just cannot argue with a place like that! Surely THE VERY BEST selection of sake in Kyoto AND open until 1 am.