"Kamisoe Papermaker Papermaker Ko Kado exemplifies Kyoto’s commitment to time-honored traditional crafts with his elegant handmade karakami , decorative paper printed withwoodblock patterns. The one-man shop and studio in Kyoto’s Nishijin ward is a mecca to paper pilgrims stocking up on his unique designs. Every piece in his studio-shop is an original, ranging from subtle stationery, postcards, and envelopes to textured wallpaper and translucent paper forthesliding screen doors known as fusuma."

"When you've overloaded on visiting Shinto and Buddhist temples, head to thissanctuary ofspirits, the ultimate pilgrimage forwhiskey aficionados. The Yamazaki Distillery, established in 1923, is Japan’s first and oldest maker of whiskey.Located just 12 miles outside Kyoto’s city centeron grounds shadedby maples and pines, the distillery is accessible via bus, taxi, or train. Free audio tours are conducted in English and include samples of its smooth range of expressions, which are arguably some of the world’s finest. Many of the spirits here are aged in mizunara (Japanese oak), offering a unique note not found in single malts from Scotland."

"D&Department, a youthful shop housed in a 13th-century Bukkoji temple, focuses on designer housewares, kitchen goods, and foods. Conceivedby Kenmei Nagaoka, a professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design, and his students, the store sells products such assturdy tea mugs and glass tokkuri (Japanese sake sets), and highlights specialty, small-batch food producers whom they’ve met in person. The result is a special range of sesame seed oils, additive-free pickles, and heirloom misos and soys. D&Departmentwill occasionally include imported products that adhere to the founders'ethos, such asdurable Freitag bags from Switzerland, which are made from recycled truck tarps."

"Aritsugu Knife Shop There’s a lot of tourists Instagram-browsing inKyoto’s famed Nishiki Market shops, which hawksalt-pickledcherry blossoms, barrels of other pickled vegetables, and takoyaki (fried octopus balls). But step off the bustling main drag and into this legendary knife shop to discover a rarefied world of chefs deliberating over blue steel boning knives with magnolia handles, or 12-inch Japanese alloy with rosewood and water buffalo horn. The tiny shop is chockful of handmade blades and cutting utensils gleaming like evidence behind glass cases. But Aritsugu isprincipally known for its custom-made knives, especially popular with lefties. The shop will also engrave your name or initials on your blade for free via the revolving whetstone behind the counter."

"Every visitor ends up at the Kyoto Handicraft Center at some point. It’s one-stop souvenir shopping. Actually somewhat short on genuine handicrafts, the place leans toward the mass-produced, but it’s an excellent selection, spread out over three floors, with everything from jewelry to yukata, summer robes that can be habit-forming."

"Kyoto’s Nishiki Market Nishiki is Kyoto 's main food market and it is a delight for foodies. I spent a week in Kyoto and visited every day (sometimes more than once)! Inside the market is a temple, and before refrigeration, the temple was the source of cold water. Merchants and city residents visited to collect water for their stores and their homes. The modern market has plumbing, but many merchants still bring their containers to collect water as it is a source of good luck. Kyoto's water is well known which is why they are known for their agricultural products including special Kyoto vegetable. There are ancient shops, modern shops, sake shops, as well as the famous Aritsugu knife shop. Green tea matcha everything, dumplings, noodles, fresh fish and vegetables, spices and treats. Try everything!"

"Textiles and a Kimono Fashion Show While Kyoto is rooted in tradition, there is so much innovation here too. The Nishijin Textile Center is located in the Nishijin District, which is best known for it's old architecture and weaving factories. It's also much more quiet than other neighborhoods. Plan your visit to the district to allow you to attend a free kimono fashion show so you can see the different colors and styles used in each kimono and to watch something so traditional in such a modern space. Upstairs you can shop for kimonos and other items. In the back some weaving machines are set up so that you can witness this ancient craft in its modern applications. By Megan Eileen McDonough"