Japan / Hong Kong Shopping

[adn]

hihi
im pretty new here and ive been looking through a bunch of posts about shopping in HK since i'll be spending about 3 weeks there, and ive found some stores that i should go visit, such as Milan Station and the Joyce Outlet. does anyone know of any other places i should visit? any particular markets for jewelry and such? thankssssss a bunch!

 

[vintage_princess]

If you are looking for markets in HK, try the Jade Market in Kowloon because they sell jewelry there. Theres also the Ladies Market that sell loads of cute bits and pieces. Well have fun anyway the stuff is gonna be so cheap and cheerful so bring an extra suitcase!!

 

[hugryhippo]

You might be interested in the "I.T." sale shop on Canton Road which is located in Tsimshatsui on Kowloon side. They carry alot of international brands with discounts up to 90% off but most average 50%-70% off. Its in the silvercord building 3/F.

If you are going to the Joyce outlet, stop by the Lane Crawford warehouse which is in the same building but a dif floor. I must with a huge selection and price range from Stella McCartney to Sass & Bide.
LAne Crawford in the IFC building in Central is fab with a fantastic selection of brands.
HAve fun!

 

[posterchild]

adn-thx for making this thread! I'll be in HK for 3-4 weeks starting May 14! Maybe we can meet up! Ok I was also in Hong Kong last year (My parents were born there) but I wasn't much of a "brand name" girl back then as I am now so I stuck basically to Mong Kwok and bought alot of teen clothing in the various little malls in Mong Kwok... Also if you are going to Central, go to queen street and lan kwai fong for the night life, clubbing and eating and such. In causeway bay you should check out the big department store sogo it's fun and very japanese also Jardine street, times square I love I.T there also Pacific center, festive walk, in Mong Kwok there's women's street and garden street, there's also a nice little mall in that area outside of Prince Edward station exit B. Oh gosh I can go on forever, n walk along nathan road

 

[charlottesometimes]

Japan/Hongkong shopping

I'm off to Hong Kong and then Japan in a few weeks. I will have a week of free time in Hong Kong and only a few days in Kyoto (squeezed in with a conference). Has anyone got any tips for some good shopping in either/both of these places? I'm not really into labels, I love a good bargain, but most of all, I love to find something unique to bring home. Thanks!

PS. Couldn't find any similar threads. Perhaps I missed it....

 

[purexelegance]

KYOTO!! yaay!

im from japan so im going to give you some tips.

you should definitely look into some cheap stores that sell andy warhol t-shirts currently. i just visited japan a couple weeks ago so they should still have it.

i'll give you the site: http://www.uniqlo.com/

it's in japanese so it's tough to navigate. maybe you could get the google translation. i don't know.

it's a nationwide chain that sells very cool stuff for cheap like i got an andy warhol shirt for 400 yen which is 4 dollars in american.

some destinations:

- THE CUBE (in Kyoto Station Building) is a nice place to get souvenirs, etc.
- major department stores like Takashimaya and Kintetsu

websites:

http://www.kippo.or.jp/column_e/04.html
http://www.kyotoguide.com/e-past-issue/08sea.html (this site gives an overview of cultural festivals/activities and nightlife/shopping info)
http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/en/visitingjapan/introduction/kyoto.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/TD/shopping.html
http://www.kippo.or.jp/KansaiWindowhtml/Collection/English/CategoryCode/CategoryCode_004.html
(for this site, you should only click the ones that say kyoto not the osaka or anything else.)

oh and i HIGHLY suggest you get a japan rail pass that gives you free access to ALL the trains including the VERY expensive bullet trains that usually run you around 200 dollars a ride. so here's the website for that: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en01.html

It's very useful. TRUST ME.

have a nice time in japan. make sure you bring a guide book and know some useful japanese words, because to be honest many people in japan don't know very good english. it's unfortunate.

and if you have any questions, hit me up on a Private Message.

 

[charlottesometimes]

Wow! Thank you so much for such great info purexelegance.

I will be making a bee-line to uniqlo. It looks fabulous and so inexpensive. The links you posted are great. I'm really looking forward to going now. I was a little nervous, hearing all sorts of stories about how expensive it is, how crowded it is etc etc. I wish I was staying longer now.

 

[Melisande]

Hi Charlottesometimes! I love your name, it's from the song isn't it?

You will LOVE Kyoto...it's one of my favorite cities in the world. I 'm in Tokyo but feel something is missing without an annual trip to Kyoto. Just walking around the streets and temples is like a beautiful meditation.

And hi, Purexelegance, thank you for giving her all the good info! Uniqlo is definitely a fun and inexpensive place to get souvenirs.

I posted a photo and wrote a bit about this Geisha cosmetic store on Ponto-cho in this thread:

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27870&page=2&highlight=Geisha

They carry lovely facial blotting paper (people say it's the best in Japan) and these absolutely gorgeous lip rouges used by the Geisha. They come in gilded and painted clam shells and the pigment is made of safflower and gold. They are not expensive at all, though, and the area is worth a stroll just to catch a glimpse of the Maiko, the lovely apprentice Geisha.

The Japan rail pass is definitely useful if you will do any traveling within Japan, but if you only have three days in Kyoto you may not have the chance.

Have a wonderful trip! Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[charlottesometimes]

Hi Melisande! Yes my name is from the old Cure song. I love them!

What a wonderful tip you have given me. I will definitely be checking out the store, and going for a wander around the area. What an amazing gift to take home.

I fear that I will be spending most of my time sneaking out of the work conference and investigating the city. Oh dear....

 

[Melisande]

You're absolutely welcome! Like I said, feel free to PM me with any other questions.

You made me miss the Cure ...I just grabbed my dusty Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me from the shelf...mmm..."You, soft and only, You, lost and lonely..."

Good luck with the conference!

 

[purexelegance]

They carry lovely facial blotting paper (people say it's the best in Japan) and these absolutely gorgeous lip rouges used by the Geisha.

yeah the blotting paper is ABSOLUTELY divvine. it's amazing.
my sister and my mom uses it all the time. it's not expensive but definitely nice.
and yes! go see the maiko just as melisande said.
they'll take pictures with you and you can also visit the numerous japanese castles in kyoto.

(see links i gave you for more info on the castles and their locations)

have fun! and can't wait to see pictures!

and just as melisande said, the japan rail pass is good for going to different areas of japan (like tokyo) but if you're only staying there for a couple of days, then maybe it's not worth the buy.

i used mine for 2 weeks but it's up to you.

it's a bit expensive but the thing is that you can use it anywhere going on the JR lines not the kintetsu or other lines.

and even if you make a mistake like 1320184039285 times, you can use your pass for unlimited times so you don't have to waste money and buy another ticket. buying the tickets can be a little hard in japan...

but im pretty sure they have english translations on the bottom. not 100 percent about it.

do you know melisande?

oh and japan isn't as expensive as everyone says it is. now since japan's economy isn't doing as well as before, they're reducing prices SIGNIFICANTLY. it's not as much as china or america, but it's getting there.

and uniqlo, 100 yen shops and even expensive stores like Takashimaya has sale items. so don't worry about that.

 

[Melisande]

Oooh, I don't know about the tickets, Purexelegance, I'm sorry!

And that's great advice, when my friends come to Japan they go crazy at the 100 yen stores since you can find all sorts of traditional Japanese items and fun things for only 100 yen (less than a dollar).

My favorite path in Kyoto is going from the Silver Pavilion down the Philosopher's Path to Nanzenji Temple (and stopping for some fresh tofu), and then down to Heian shrine. The Silver Pavilion and Heian Shrine have breathtaking gardens...

You know, considering our conversation on the vingage thread, it would be worth asking a local where you can buy antique or second-hand kimonos and obis. They are so beautiful, and very reasonably priced. You can get a gorgeous old silk obi or kimono for 20, 30 dollars.

You can also walk in any one of the numerous regular kimono shops Kyoto is famous for and find beautiful little bags made of basket and fabric, as well as obi-ribbons (obi-dome) and gorgeous silk "shibori" (textured tie-dye) fabric you can use as scarves. All of these items are available for as little as 30 dollars.

 

[charlottesometimes]

Melisande and purexelegance, I can't thank you enough! I'm so excited about my trip now.

Melisande, I had been thinking about looking for second-hand kimonos or even fabric as I love sewing and could incorporate even small pieces into the design or use as trim. I will definitely be looking for a cotton kimono (yukata?) for myself. If I could find a reasonably priced antique kimono......mmm....I would be in heaven.

purexelegance the 100 yen shops sound perfect for picking up gifts for everyone at home. I didn't realize that they also stocked traditional items. I always like to take home with me little momentos of places I that visit.

I will definitely look into visiting some castles. How amazing!

 

[Melisande]

Melisande, I had been thinking about looking for second-hand kimonos or even fabric as I love sewing and could incorporate even small pieces into the design or use as trim.

That's exactly what my mom, sister and I love to do! Antique under- kimonos are pure silk, and have beautiful vivid designs on them. (Don't wear them as dresses though, it's a huge etiquette no-no! ) A friend's father is a traditional fabric-dying artisan in Kyoto (a very revered traditional art), and even the scraps she sometimes gives me are breathtaking.
Oh, I wish you were coming to Tokyo, I could help you out so much more!

 

[purexelegance]

they definitely sell kimono fabrics at big stores like takashimaya. if you ask the information desk, they will help you as much as possible.

they know minimal english but they try really hard to help you out.

and you can get a cheap yukata if you'r planning on going to a matsuri (festival) at uniqlo.

my sister got a yukata at uniqlo and they have the complete set there... they have the obi (the ribbon like thing that you wrap around your waist), the yukata itself and i believe you can get the geta (shoes) with it... but im not 100 percent about that.

but i'm sure they sell it separately if they don't

 

[Tabasamu]

And that's great advice, when my friends come to Japan they go crazy at the 100 yen stores since you can find all sorts of traditional Japanese items and fun things for only 100 yen (less than a dollar).

Yes they are called Hyaku yen shopes if I remember correctly.Just one piece of advice while shopping in Japan, don't buy any long sleeves tops as they won't reach to your wrists or trousers as they won't reach your ankles. They may be your size, but trust me, you have to try them on first.Have fun.

 

[charlottesometimes]

Thanks again purexelegance and Melisande for more great tips. Tabasamu great advice...I'm quite tall so will have to be careful about that.

I'm quite nervous about the language barrier so perhaps I should ask a Japanese speaking person to help me out before I leave by writing down a few questions for me in Japanese....just in case. Does that sound crazy?

I will definitely learn a few greetings before I go.

 

[purexelegance]

well im japanese!!!!!!

so hit me up!

 

[Melisande]

I'm quite nervous about the language barrier so perhaps I should ask a Japanese speaking person to help me out before I leave by writing down a few questions for me in Japanese....just in case. Does that sound crazy?

I will definitely learn a few greetings before I go.

Ask away!

Oh, it is sooo true about sleeves and trousers, unfortunately. And forget shoes...

Many ladies from abroad love buying men's haoris (kimono jackets) or yukatas or getas (Japanese sandals) for this reason, and it looks great.

 

[charlottesometimes]

Thanks for your offer of help purexelegance and Melisande.


I'll check it out on Babel fish and perhaps send you a PM to confirm that I have it right and I'm not asking something embarrassing.