Azabu Juban is beloved by expatriates and Japanese alike. The district combines the best elements of a quiet neighbourhood with specialised stores without the crowds commonly associated with shopping spots such as Shibuya. Often referred to as 'the Juban', Spree-ers can source those quintessential gifts that should be purchased only in Japan: kimono accessories, handmade rice crackers, geta (Japanese flip-flops) and ceramics. Best of all, it is centrally located and has hundreds of good bars and restaurants. Roppongi Hills is within walking distance, where you can add chain stores and designer shopping to your itinerary. Just avoid Tuesdays, when many of the stores in Azabu Juban are closed.
Follow the main artery starting at Wendy's and on the left is Sunaga (pictured; 2-1-8 Azabu Juban, tel: 81 3 3457 0323), a family-run kimono arts store established in 1888. Purses, tissue-paper cases and handkerchiefs made from brightly coloured Japanese cloth are stocked alongside tabi (Japanese socks), cotton robes (yukata), folding fans and exquisite fabric. Jimbei, traditional summer wear, is available in children's and adult sizes, as are cotton hanten (jackets) and samue (a loose-fitting summer ensemble).
A little further on is Iriyama (2-1-8 Azabu Juban, tel: 81 3 3453 0561), a reasonably priced bottle shop. Enormous 1.8-litre bottles of sake range from 1,600 yen (HK$112) - it could double as paint-stripper - to one of Japan's finest tipples, Kubota Manju, at 13,860 yen.
Daikokuya (2-1-3 Azabu Juban, tel: 81 3 3451 0844) is a Japanese shoe store that also sells bags, tapestries, umbrellas and cute souvenirs, such as miniature lacquered sandals. Geta and zori are designed to be worn with kimonos or more casually by men in summer. Some designs are lined with tatami and priced from 1,155 to 2,000 yen, a steal if you can manage to balance on the chunky wooden blocks.
Iwatan Tea Shop (2-3-3 Azabu Juban, tel: 81 3 3451 1303) stocks a selection of healthy brews. One speciality is the seaweed and sun-dried salt-infused mineral soup with Japanese apricot. Delightful teapots in rich blues and ceramic tea cups are good buys, along with tea canisters
in original designs, including one inspired by the Louis Vuitton logo.