If its knives and kitchenware she wants the Dotombori in Osaka is good and especially Kappabashi Dori in Tokyo right around the block from Sensoji Temple in Asakusa are the places for you.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3020.html

Aloha!

Citiboy, I would contact your local Customs office and check on the regulations for importing bladed implements. I know that in Australia that the importation of knives without a permit is illegal. On the other hand it sounds like you have done this before.

Ack, I mean to say that the importation of knives without a permit is prohibited, not illegal.

My wife is Puerto Rican. Knives to Puerto Ricans are like Candy canes to kids on Christmas eve.LOL. So happy we are spending 3 nts in Osaka. It looks like we will be shopping and eating a lot in Dotombori. We can always send the knives. Since we have such small suitcases, what is the best way to ship to Miami? We have a FEDEX acct. Is that econocically feasable or do you think we should go in a different direction? Thanks Sydney 2000 and Hawaiian traveler.

Want to catch the USA, Brasil and Japan opening world cup matches. Are the dates in Japan the date after the EST schedule? I will tell you where I will be and ask for suggestions where to watch it.I guess the matches will be in the early morning. Correct?Thanks.

Japan is 7 hours ahead of S Africa.

The USA opening match (vs England) is June 12 at 8.30pm local time, which would be June 13 at 3.30am in Japan.

Brazil's opener is June 15 at 8.30pm, so June 16 at 3.30 in Japan.

Japan opens on June 14 at 4.00pm, which is 11.00pm in Japan on the 14th.

Full schedule of opening round matches is at http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html.

I am struggling to remember, but there are Kinkos all over the place- you may be able to send your knives from there (filling out the appropriate Customs paperwork.) Remember though that English language proficiency may be limited. Failing that, any of the big post offices should do- the one near JR Osaka should do, and they should have English-seaking staff.

Oh, and don't forget that South Africa is in the southren hemisphere, so you will need to turn your TV upside down to be able to watch the matches.

:D

I was just planning to stand on my head . Thank you.And I fly out from Miami Friday morning.

Have a nice trip citiboy!!!

Aloha!

Oh and most places that sell the knives will have the ability to ship worldwide for you. You might have to fill out the US address for them though, good luck!

Have a good trip! I'm looking forward to hearing about it - I'm heading to Japan in September.

I am back from Japan and just coming back to earth from an incredible trip. I have a question. Does my secy have to type directly into the website or can we download our trip report?How do we download? Please advise. Thanks again for all of your help.
Rick

I brought back two great knives w other things.

How do we download? - copy and paste. Looking forward to reading it...