Sandra's Tips for a Trip to Japan...
For all things "traditional souvenirs", the Asakusa district in Tokyo is perfect: second-hand kimonos, traditional sake sets (Japanese tableware in general).
For all things "traditional souvenirs", the Asakusa district in Tokyo is perfect: second-hand kimonos, traditional sake sets (Japanese tableware in general).
For example, I bought a "Yukata" kimono (a summer kimono and relatively simple, handmade, around €40) but they come in all price ranges and sizes. Just keep in mind that Japanese people tend to be smaller and slighter in build.
We brought back a traditional men's ensemble for a friend (the jacket plus the pants—I'm not sure of the precise terms, somewhat like traditional shopkeepers or fishermen in manga), and it fits him as cropped pants, even shorts.
Otherwise, there's the temple route in Kyoto, extremely touristy as well and you can see it reflected in the shops—products may be "made in Japan", but everything is pricey and not necessarily very traditional, though there are some cute (or kawaii) things.
If you're interested in animation and manga, you need to head to the tech districts (they're often linked).
The Akihabara district in Tokyo is famous for its massive Gundam billboards, otaku culture, and cosplay in the streets, but there's a district like that in every major city. Just ask—Japanese people are very helpful.
The catch at that level is that they're not very strong in English, so it's better to ask young people who study it at school, hotel staff, or have a few notions of Japanese (also useful in the metro to read maps properly and know where to get off when it's not written in romaji).
To get from one city to another, the train is of course the most appropriate option, so you should look into getting a JR Pass created for tourists but financially worthwhile only after a certain number of trips (note that it's not valid in Hokkaido—this Japanese island doesn't consider itself entirely part of Japan).
Otherwise, for driving you need a Japanese driving license. You'll need to order it from the consulate (or embassy) several months in advance.
Frequently asked questions
The Asakusa district in Tokyo is ideal for traditional souvenirs: you'll find second-hand kimonos (including the yukata, a summer kimono, starting at around €40), sake sets, Japanese tableware, and many handcrafted items at all price points.
The JR Pass is a train travel package for foreign tourists, allowing you to use most JR network trains throughout Japan. It becomes financially worthwhile after a certain number of long-distance trips. Be aware: it's not valid on some local networks. Remember to get it before your departure from France.
If you're a manga and animation fan, the Akihabara district in Tokyo is a must: giant Gundam billboards, specialty shops, cosplay in the streets, and otaku culture. Note that every major Japanese city has a similar district. Japanese people are very helpful—don't hesitate to ask for directions, preferably from young people who often speak some English.
To drive in Japan, an international driving permit in Japanese is required. You must order it from the Japanese consulate or embassy several months before your departure. Without this document, you won't be able to rent a vehicle locally.
Generally speaking, Japanese people are not very comfortable with English. To make yourself understood, it's advisable to speak with young people, who study it at school, or hotel staff. A few notions of Japanese and the ability to read romaji characters (transcription in Latin alphabet) will be very useful, especially for navigating the metro.
