Daimaru

DAIMARU
We went back downtown in search of dinner. Instead of finding dinner, I stumbled upon Daimaru. I’d been looking for a Shu Uemura counter and found one here. It was Tuesday, April 12^th around 5:30pm.
I love Shu Uemura’s hard formula eyebrow pencil. Bad news is, there are no Shu Uemuras in the United States, so I can only get it sharpened when someone I know goes to Asia or elsewhere with Shu Uemura. This was the first time I was going to be in Asia and could get the pencil sharpened myself.
The lady at the counter was super sweet. Free sharpening is included in the purchase of the pencil, so she quickly sharpened it and gave it back to me. Super quick and easy. The only thing I wish she did was make the pencil end a little thicker. But it was hard communicating that as she didn’t speak much English. I just let it be.
Department stores in other countries are always fun to check out. It was fun browsing through Daimaru after I was done at the Shu Uemura counter. If you like shopping, I’d definitely swing by.

I visited for the basement food market. Of the three dept store markets in Kyoto that I visited, this one is the best.

A Japanese experience.
The sales people are soooooooo nice and courteous and gentile you are tempted to buy just to please them.
They have gorgeous things and on the top floor is their bargain basement.
And in the basement is the most amazing food market. Definitively browse thoroughly before committing as you will find countless things to buy and try.
Unique gifts to take home, even in the kitchen department.
Must experience once.

It is located near Shijyo of subway line or Karasuma of Hankyu line. Good accessibility and not sightseeing area but business area. So it is convenient for business workers to shop during lunch time or after work.
When I worked at a publishing company for one month as a temporary staff near Shijyo, I always walked on the underground path to Gion shijyo and stopped in here on my way. In the first place I am interested in basement food corners. I think major department stores deal in almost similar brands. But there is difference in what kinds of foods or confectioneries they provide. I’m glad that this department also sells Ajyarimochi or sticky confectionery with cinnamon and Ohagi of Sentaro or rice cake with sweet red beans and Kinako in the same way that other major department stores in Kyoto do. Ohagi of Sentaro is very large (probably one and half size of ordinary Ohagi) and special. If you have not had one yet, please try it!
In Daimaru there is Ufufu girl’s floor which targets for young women. I guess it is successful attempt, because the sound «Ufufu» (when a young woman giggle, she says Ufufu) is so cute! Very charming name!
Daimaru is now under reform. It is a little inconvenient for customers. But look forward to the renewal Daimaru!