Cebu Pacific flies to Tokyo (Narita)
from Manila. Service begins March
30.
T H E S H O E S T R I N G D I A R I E S
90
BARGAIN-HUNTER PHOTO
ALFIE GOODRICH
KABUKI PHOTO
GETTY IMAGES
It’s easy to go “consumer mad” in Tokyo,
where shopping districts are about as
ubiquitous as vending machines (there’s
an estimated one for every 23 people!).
Finding bargains can be a challenge
but they’re out there. During our stroll
around Harajuku, the multi-level Daiso
outlet on Takeshita Dori became our
pasalubong
center. Beyond this chain of
100-yen shops, Nishizawa recommends
heading a few blocks over to the three-
story Oriental Bazaar in Omotesando
for typical Japanese souvenirs like
kimonos, dolls and samurai-themed
items and to Kiddy Land for children’s
toys and Hello Kitty-branded goods.
Washi
- (traditional Japanese paper)
and stationery-loving tourists should
wander around Ginza and stop by
centuries-old Kyukyodo and Ito-ya for
beautiful Japanese-paper products
and calligraphy supplies. And instead
of searching for souvenirs at upscale
department stores, check discount chain
store Don Quijote (“Donki” to the locals)
and the Asakusa Nakamise Shopping
Arcade near Sensoji Temple for all
manner of souvenirs.
Performances of
kabuki
, a formof
traditional Japanese theater, are
typically very expensive but, according
to Nishizawa, Kabukiza Theatre
in Ginza “offers single-act tickets
for those who want to experience
the traditional play but don’t want
to spend a lot of money and time.”
Tickets for full, four-hour kabuki
performances range from¥4,000
to ¥20,000 while the single-act
tickets, which are only available
on the day of the performance, sell
for around ¥1,000. For a hands-on
cultural experience, try a temple stay.
Overnight sessions can set you back
about ¥4,000, but in some temples, like
Rinsen-ji in Kohinata, two-hour Zen
sessions (zazen seatedmeditation)
are offered everyWednesday evening
for just ¥500. If nothing else, a bit of
meditationmight just add to the peace
of mind you’ve got fromnot burning a
hole in your pocket.
BARGAIN-
HUNTERS’ SPOTS
7
8
CULTURE AT A DISCOUNT
KAISEKI RYORI
MEAL
KABUKI
PERFORMANCES
¥10,000
¥1,000
Price
Price
