Kyoto's main shopping district is focused around the junction of Shijo-dori and Kawaramachi-dori , and spreads north of Shijo along the Teramachi and Shinkyogoku arcades. Here you'll find the big-name department stores , notably Takashimaya, Hankyu and Daimaru, as well as all manner of souvenir shops, smart boutiques and even a few traditional craft shops, especially on Sanjo-dori just west of the river. The station area has improved enormously with the opening of the huge Isetan department store and a revamped underground shopping mall, Porta, under the northern bus terminal.
East Kyoto is best known for its wealth of shops around Kiyomizu-dera selling the local pottery, while nearby Sannen-zaka is a lovely parade of traditional craft shops. Further north, Gion's Shinmonzen-dori specializes in antiques. The prices are predictably high, but it's a good area to browse. Below we suggest some of the more interesting shops to aim for, but anyone in Kyoto for more than a few days should invest in a copy of Diane Durston's labour of love, Old Kyoto .