oh.

My husband bought some ultra-cool stylish headphones with AMAZING sound for about $100 in Akihabara, which everyone in the family still fights over. That was three years ago and there is probably an even superior selection now. Just go into one of the electronics shops and see what everyone else is buying. We also got some yukatas (cotton kimonos worn in spas), much appreciated by male friends and relatives, and very easy to pack.

My husband also bought a Toto toilet, but that's another story.

Mr. Crosscheck just reminded me that he was back in Tokyo last year and he seconded the headphone recommendation. he said that there are now LOTS of stores that exclusively sell headphones, but you could also pick them up at the airport. He also recommended getting a cool flash drive.

emd3, the sale at Toji Temple (called Kobo-san) happens on the 21st of each month. But how among the 100s of sellers there would one ever find your particular one?
mrwunrfl, I'd love to share a cup of sake with you. The interesting thing is that the local liquor store in our small Canadian city carries the same kinds of sake one can buy in Japan, and at about the same price. I used to buy a duty-free gift bottle of Crown Royal as a gift for Japanese friends only to find that it was cheaper at the corner supermarket in Japan.
(Mrs) Crosscheck's mention of a yukata or summer kimono of the onsen-style reminds me that that's a gift we've brought back sometimes. They're similar to what hotels provide as sleepwear (properly called nemaki) and sell for about $30 at dept stores, or at Co-op grocery stores. They come in great blue and white patterns and in LL sizes too.

WillJame, thank you for the correction; I was thinking of the Kitano temple market that is on the 25th of each month. Toji is indeed on the 21st.

It is not hard to make your way around to all of the booths at Toji market. And this man is the only one selling handmade wooden kitchen items (the friend I sent to Toji market recently told me that that is still the case).

Good luck, RJames. Let us know what you end up getting.

WillJame, good point about sake being available at the local liquor store.

That sake bottle will need to be in checked baggage. Some airlines (like United) require that the bottle be in an approved shipping container inside the luggage. These boxes can be purchased online (probably like all the gift suggestions and can hold one or multiple bottles of wine.

I learned this when I decided on bringing back a bottle of wine from Argentina as a gift for my physical therapist (knee). After learning a bit about Argentine wine and transporting in on a flight I decided not to do it. I didn't want to have the shipping container taking up all that space for the whole trip.

i brought a spa robe for my husband's boss. He loved it. Can be used as bathrobe or over bathing suit.

Seconding the Tokyu Hands suggestion. Take the south exit out of Shinjuku and bam, there it is, it's a huge department store with lots of quirky little "Only In Japan" things.

I recommend the knives. If you refer to my trip report, you will find a great place for engraved knives. They are high quality and if engraved properly will never forget you.

Just fyi, a tip for anyone who likes the Japanese knives: There is also a man at Toji market who sells wonderful knife sharpening stones. They are nice enough to be used as decorative items. He carves his family's name into the lower right hand corner of the stones. They vary from about $25 to $100. I bought from him a few yrs ago and my friend who went to Toji market recently said yes, he is still selling there. He is not hard to find. He is the only one selling sharpening stones and has a large table.

emd-the knife store I mentioned sells sharpening stones and tutors you in the proper sharpening method so as not to destroy the blade. Be aware that some blades need to be dry befor you sharpen.

Cool - I think I will visit that knife store on my next trip, thanks for the info.

I also vote for Tokyu Hands. As they say, if you can't find it anywhere, you'll find it at Tokyu Hands.
Also, the office accessories in other fine department stores, or Itoya stationery have the neatest desk accesssories. One of the gifts I gave a gentleman back in the USA was a pen, pencil & highlighter set in a nifty case from Mitsukoshi. It might sound like a mundane gift but the set was very neat looking and handy. He loved it and wanted to get more.

If anyone else is interested in the knife store citiboy50 mentioned in his trip report, here is the info, in Kyoto:

"...Aritsugu Co. to buy a knife. We took the subway 2 stops from Kyoto Station. There was a great selection. My wife bought a vegetable knife engraved at no extra charge..."

And here is a site I found with some reviews of handmade knife stores in Kyoto:

http://openkyoto.com/stores/real-kyo...gu-knives.html