even go to Kinkakuji. But maybe we will go there in April.

Mrwunrfl and Gard, thank you for the info!

Emd, thank you! I will try to attend to one craft workshop. Do you think I should reserve it when I just arrive to Tokyo?
How would you plan Kyoto in 2 days (or 1 day and a half)?
One more question, please: are the things that are being sold in Tokyo Nakamise street and Kyoto Teramae area similar?

Thanks,
Rose

Bonjour Rose,

>>are the things that are being sold in Tokyo Nakamise street and Kyoto Teramae area similar>>

I suppose you mean Kyoto Teramachi. It is a rather long covered street, housing much more diversity than Nakamise, and much less "touristy" shops (but there are extremely good and old shops in Nakamise, especially for textiles, papers, knives, fans, shoes, ...).

The whole area should appeal to your daughters, since it is where quite a number of Japanese teenagers do their fashion shopping and generally hang around. It connects to other arcades, among them Nishiki food street, and a whole area full of trendy shops, bookstores, antiques and traditional ware stores, department stores, etc.

You could easily spend days around there ...

And aside from all of that, there is a great 100 yen shop in Teramichi dori area on the covered street that runs perpendicular to the Nishiki food street. 100 yen stores are like dollar stores, but this one sold great wooden bowls a/carved decorations on them for serving udon, very nice sets of chopsticks and woven chopstick holders, etc. for 100 yen. I got lots of stocking stuffers and little gifts there.
I am staying in a hotel close to Teramichi dori shopping area on my next trip - that is how much we liked that area, esp. at night. The cool department stores are there also - your daughters will like it, go hand out in the basement food market at the department stores, see how much the clothes and purses cost there and what the fashions are like, etc. There is alot of hustle and bustle in that area in the evenings.

emd:
So that is the main reason for the Okura...lol
Aloha!

Thanks, Florence and Emd!

I will visit Teramachi area!
Can anyone suggest a budget hotel in that area?

And what about the prices in the little stores and department stores? Is there any difference between Tokyo and Kyoto?
I will be first in Tokyo. Should I save money and buy more things and gifts in Kyoto?

Thanks a lot!
Rose

Little stores may be cheaper than depato, but you won't find much difference between Tokyo and Kyoto prices. The 100 yen stores are a great place for little gifts and souvenirs, and the prices will be the same in Tokyo and Kyoto. ;;)

If we'er not staying in a ryokan, we like Kyoto Central Inn because it is right there at Teramachi Dori and across the street from Takashimaya. Stay in a Japan style room if you do. Last time we were there a double was about $120.