Travel and Tea in Tokyo and Kyoto

[edkrueger]

Travel and Tea in Tokyo and Kyoto

by edkrueger » May 22nd, '09, 21:43

Can any one suggest some tea related and possibly not tea related things –things that won't be in the guide books– to do in Tokyo or Kyoto/Uji/Nara?

Thanks!

[TokyoB]

by TokyoB » May 23rd, '09, 21:24

Ed - I always enjoy going to the basement level of large department stores where there is a large selection of individual shops selling food. The variety is incredible and typically there are some things there that you probably haven't seen before. That is also typically where tea is sold. There are usually one or two teashops. Sometimes, like during shincha season, they give out samples. I also like to go to the housewares section to check out teapots and other Japanese pottery/dishes/etc. There are several large department stores in the Ginza and Shinjuku sections of Tokyo. You can go to Takashimaya, Isetan, Mitsukoshi, etc.

I also like to find places that sell Japanese sweets, both mochi type things and iced desserts that contain matcha.

Enjoy!

[edkrueger]

by edkrueger » May 24th, '09, 19:36

Thanks! I'll try that out.