Aoyama Shopping Guide, Part 1
OK, it's time for another fun shopping tour of Tokyo. This one takes place in a posh district called Aoyama. Lots of tourists find their way to the main drags (Aoyama Street and Omotesando Street). I always stuck to those streets myself, but yesterday I ventured out of my familiar zone and found the most amazing shops. All of the stores listed here are great places to check for gifts. And all, but one or two, are pretty affordable. I managed to get most of my Christmas shopping done here without blowing a hole in my wallet.
Let's start with Good Day (open 11:00 to 20:00. closed Tuesday). Lots of girly accessories. Bobble fringe trim. Ribbons. Picture frames. Baby clothes. I saw a couple of very cool 1950s-ish pull toys that were pretty special. I bought a bunny here. It's a gift bunny. I figure by giving them as gifts I can get my bunny fix without crowding my apartment.
Next, was one of my favorites, Doux Dimanche (open 12:00 to 20:00. closed Monday). The bright colors, fun artwork, hanging vases, toys ... I wanted it all! I settled on a Moomin snow globe for my daughter's stocking, but I'm definitely coming back here. I found out that the store is also a publisher of my favorite Japanese decorating books, "Family Style." You can buy those books at the store.
Elephant (open 12:00 to 19:00. closed Tuesday). This shop looks like someone's apartment from the outside. I ventured inside and found some really cool 50s Swedish glass and ceramics. The shop owner was incredibly nice to walk me through the designs and explain it all. There was even an antique Danish wooden rabbit for sale. Let's just say, that if you have to ask the price ... well, I did ask the price and was reminded why antiques don't fill up my shelves.
La Droguerie (open 11:00 to 20:00). This is a great place to stop by if you're a sewer or DIYer. They have an impressive array of trimmings, buttons, ribbons and beads. They also have these little birds that would look so cute on a DIY birdcage chandelier. But no, no, no. No more bird decorations for me.
Kisara (open 11:00 to 21:00). This shop is located in Omotesando Hills shopping plaza on Omotesando Street. You'll probably want to check out the plaza itself. It's pretty cool. Kisara is on level B2 and it's my new favorite place for Japanese gifts. Natural linen tea towels. Cute candles in the shape of deer. Beautifully packaged candy. Those Japanese decorative tapes everyone seems to love. Wood accessories. It's all very tasteful and gorgeous.
That's all for today. Hope you stop by for the second half!
(My own map and photos)
Let's start with Good Day (open 11:00 to 20:00. closed Tuesday). Lots of girly accessories. Bobble fringe trim. Ribbons. Picture frames. Baby clothes. I saw a couple of very cool 1950s-ish pull toys that were pretty special. I bought a bunny here. It's a gift bunny. I figure by giving them as gifts I can get my bunny fix without crowding my apartment.
Next, was one of my favorites, Doux Dimanche (open 12:00 to 20:00. closed Monday). The bright colors, fun artwork, hanging vases, toys ... I wanted it all! I settled on a Moomin snow globe for my daughter's stocking, but I'm definitely coming back here. I found out that the store is also a publisher of my favorite Japanese decorating books, "Family Style." You can buy those books at the store.
Elephant (open 12:00 to 19:00. closed Tuesday). This shop looks like someone's apartment from the outside. I ventured inside and found some really cool 50s Swedish glass and ceramics. The shop owner was incredibly nice to walk me through the designs and explain it all. There was even an antique Danish wooden rabbit for sale. Let's just say, that if you have to ask the price ... well, I did ask the price and was reminded why antiques don't fill up my shelves.
La Droguerie (open 11:00 to 20:00). This is a great place to stop by if you're a sewer or DIYer. They have an impressive array of trimmings, buttons, ribbons and beads. They also have these little birds that would look so cute on a DIY birdcage chandelier. But no, no, no. No more bird decorations for me.
Kisara (open 11:00 to 21:00). This shop is located in Omotesando Hills shopping plaza on Omotesando Street. You'll probably want to check out the plaza itself. It's pretty cool. Kisara is on level B2 and it's my new favorite place for Japanese gifts. Natural linen tea towels. Cute candles in the shape of deer. Beautifully packaged candy. Those Japanese decorative tapes everyone seems to love. Wood accessories. It's all very tasteful and gorgeous.
That's all for today. Hope you stop by for the second half!
(My own map and photos)
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