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Shopping
in Japan
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.
pin 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)
Recommened shop 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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