The following list shows you where you can go for shopping when you visit Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara.
(1) Kyoto: Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market, which is in Kyoto, is always crowded with local residents, domestic and international tourists seeking for authentic Japanese foods. Most shops in the market sell fresh fish and vegetable as well as delicious pickles. One of the reasons to recommend this shopping area is that you are most likely to find every sort of Kyoto food here; you don’t have to go to different places to make a purchase. Above all, chances are that you will be fond of energetic and dynamic atmosphere of the market. This is a must-visit place if you like shopping.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/othree/6612199125/in/photolist-b5ifrc-gkZc49-fTV1JU-faqaJn-faqaA8-b5igmZ-fTWeiJ-fSsgeC-b5ifSn-gkZ4gW-b5ihb2-azqukb-b5if3a-ovEK7m-ofwwSw-dQGN2o-amcUEZ-oxEgDj-h9KdSh-owKkge-oxqFyF-dtVSaZ-dF5gR7-5G52S4-nA2cNb-ovEhR5-ha17Ba-xr9Db-dFU8TM-faqavg-b5h2CB-qmSKfg-fSsoB4-a1NKBN-6fs17N-njw5m5-6fnNvV-6frZ3W-DREjyJ-6fs1Dj-q5BAYF-5nKiST-5nPyWf-6fs29S-6frYuf-d37sKC-KnEkJ-DHyGSC-6frXJJ-CWAb3Z
Information
Nishiki Ichiba (Nishiki Market)
Address: Shijo Agaru, Tominokoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
(2) Kyoto: Shijo Street
While in Nishiki Market you find traditional stuff, along the Shijo Street you see more modern merchants selling every kind of things. This street traverses central Kyoto from west to east. We could say this street looks in part similar to Champs-Elysées in Paris in that huge department stores as well as small and medium-sized boutiques are lined up along the street. Although the street is a little bit narrower than Champs-Elysées, its walkways are covered by a roof, meaning that you don’t need to care about rain while shopping.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/matsuyuki/1158264680
Information
Shijo Street (Shijo Dori)
Address: Shijo-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City
(3) Osaka: Namba Parks
About 50 kilometers south-west of Kyoto, Osaka is the second largest city after Tokyo. Without a doubt, retail is a big industry in this city. I’d like to introduce two major shopping areas, the first one being Namba Parks, which is directly connected to Namba station. This shopping mall contains over 200 shops where you can buy clothes, accessories and cosmetics, satisfy your stomach, and even see a movie. Another aspect which makes Namba Parks more interesting is the shape of its buildings; they are basically built by wood-like winding walls. That means this shopping mall is not just a place to do shopping but a photogenic spot.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hetgacom/4037379566/
Information
Namba Parks
Address: 2-10-70 Nambanaka Naniwa-ku Osaka
(4) Osaka: America Mura
Second reccomendation is the shopping district called America Mura. You might know Harajuku, fashionable district in Tokyo. America Mura can be compared to Harajuku; they share the same characteristics. Located in the center of Osaka, America Mura, a.k.a. Ame Mura, has over 2000 shops, many of which target young generations. This area has always been an epicenter of fashion with apparel stores, record shops and a variety of goods. The atmosphere of Ame Mura is “Osaka-ish” because the merchants there are small and medium-sized where customers and shopkeepers communicate in friendlier manner. What’s more, this district gathers young artists who dream their own goal at night, with which you may be able to get engaged in a deep discussion.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nozawana/59620453
(5) Nara: Acades in front of Nara station
If you happen to go to Nara, perhaps your destination is the Great Buddha of Nara (Daibutsu). From getting out of Nara station and on your way to the destination, you will possibly encounter several shopping streets that are covered by an arcade. The picture below is one of them. You can expect everything on sale that you need during your stay, from drugstores, convenience stores, various restaurants, local food shops to souvenir shops. If you forget something or forget buying souvenirs near Daibutsu, these shopping streets might be a good place.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mshades/312807920/
So far I’ve showed you two shopping spots in Kyoto, two in Osaka and one in Nara. It’s interesting to see how different each shopping district is. Some look traditional and others look modern. When you enjoy shopping in Japan, use this list to sense the dual dynamism of Japanese commerce and find your favorite food and/or merchandises.
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