KYOTO -- Long a Mecca for fans of Japanese antiques, Kyoto is more enticing than ever these days. Unscathed by the bombs of World War II, old family storehouses continue to yield a small but steady stream of somewhat dusty delights, while a host of new shops plying the antiquity trade promises something to satisfy every taste.
Kyoto antiques fall into three basic categories: Buddhist artwork, tea ceremony utensils and items once used in everyday life. Unless you are a serious student of Japanese art or a devotee of cha no yu, the third category is the one most likely to appeal to your interests.
The city's main antique district has long been centered around Furumonzen and Shinmonzen, two streets running parallel to each other just southeast of Keihan Railway's Sanjo Station. While some of the shops here specialize in items from one of the above three categories, most offer a combination.