18 Japanese Products to Bring Home from Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

The old capital of Japan, the city of Kyoto has once again been the talk of the world lately, thanks to the bestselling "Memoirs of a Geisha" book and the namesake Hollywood blockbuster movie. Renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship, Japan has so much to amaze a foreign eye with. Many of these things originated in Kyoto, the showroom of the old-time Japan as it was. Listed here are some of the most prominent Kyoto-made items well worth checking out as a memorable gift from the Land of the Rising Sun.

The pottery/porcelain made in Kyoto is called Kyo Yaki and Kyomizu Yaki. The origins of Kyoto pottery can be traced to the 5th century in the area around Kyomizu-dera temple in the Higashiyama hills in the eastern part of Kyoto. In the Muromachi Period (the 14th century) a new technology was imported from China and colors were added to the pottery. A few years later, overglazing techniques were introduced. In the late Edo Period, potters shifted from earthenware to Chinese-style porcelain.

Nowadays, Kyoto pottery can be found in a wide variety of tableware, tea utensils, and ornamental objects that come in elegant shapes, graceful design, and pure, intense colors. A good place to buy Kyo Yaki and Kyomizu Yaki is the Kyoto Handicraft Center located in 21 Entomi-cho Shogo-in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. All kinds of traditional handicrafts can be found here and more, everything you buy there is duty-free. The Center is open from 11:00 to 18:00. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).