Originally Posted by phred
... That uphill road leading to the temple in Kyoto (of course I'm blanking on the name) is one long string of tourist traps; same with the temple (Asakusa?) in Tokyo.
1. Sannenzaka (Potter Slope) leading to Kiyomizu-dera. Not all "tourist traps." There are some exquisite small galleries scattered among the souvenir shops. You just have to look for them
In Kyoto, a good, quick place to pick up souvenirs in the all-under-one-roof Kyoto Handicraft Center, just north of Heian Jingu Shrine. English-speaking clerks, several different companies, money exchange, international credit card acceptance and international shipping.
2. Senso-ji in Asakusa. The Nakamise covered arcade leading up to it.
JR