4 Best Places to Shop in Downtown Kobe, The Kansai Region

This darling and inexpensive antiques shop in Kitano-cho has a large collection of high-quality yukata (lightweight summer kimonos) that you can try on. There's also a good selection of ceramics and lacquerware. Nanae, the owner, enjoys explaining the history behind the pieces.

Established in 1938, this small boutique offers unique designs and quality service. Although the shop offers many classic designs, it has a range of more modern pearl jewelry as well.

This store sells traditional Japanese dolls, from kimekomi (animals representing the zodiac calendar) to the samurai and kimono-clad ladies. There are also good examples of oshie (three-dimensional pictures made of silk). The tiny shop is packed with cloth for doll making, cupboards for hiding doll-making supplies, and, of course, dolls.

Santica Town is an underground shopping mall with 120 shops and 30 restaurants. It extends for several blocks beneath Flower Road south from San-no-miya Station. It's closed the third Wednesday of the month.