HELLO KITTY KOUBOU - KYOTO

I have wanted to visit the Hello Kitty Koubou for some years now. I know I'm too old to  love Hello Kitty, but something about this shop really enticed me.  It is housed in what appears to be a traditional machiya - a lovely wooden building. All the products for sale are in a Kyoto or traditional Japanese style.

 The flooring is tatami mats, so I had to remove my shoes before entering. Everything was displayed attractively.

 Merchandise included: plushies in kimono, geisha style bags and furoshiki, make up cases, stationery and jewellery.

My main goal was to purchase a plushie, which I did along with a couple of laminated shopping bags, furoshiki and note pads.

If money was no object, I would have bought alot more. As you can see, it was all very desirable. Husband and son waited patiently for my daughter and I to make our purchases. It's only a small shop, but do give it a visit if you are going to Ginkaku-ji.

How to get there: as you are leaving Ginkaku-ju heading west along Ginkaku-Ji Michi, cross over Tetsugaku-no-Michi (Path of Philosophy) and it is on the second street on the left. You should be able to see it straight away. There is a stone statue of Hello Kitty out the front.  Hello Kitty fans will love this quaint and sweet little shop.

http://www.kyoto-hellokitty-koubou.com/