Must visit pearly places in Japan?

[Lily1895]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently planning my honeymoon to Japan and I was wondering if there were any special places or shops that would be worth a visit while I'm there. I'll be mainly basing myself in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with the chance to day trip around. However, I was wondering, other than Mikimoto, is there anywhere else worth visiting for a potential special pearl purchase?

 

[Lovinggems]

Someone mentioned Gellner in Kobe? Kobe isn't very far from Kyoto via the fast train.

 

[NacreLover]

This is just me and I like to see things in person. I would ask to arrange a trip to Lake Kasumi-ga-Ura and see the pearl farms there if that could be arranged.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

This is just me and I like to see things in person. I would ask to arrange a trip to Lake Kasumi-ga-Ura and see the pearl farms there if that could be arranged.

That would be really cool!

 

[NacreLover]

Sarah at Kojima Pearl Company would know if they do tours.

 

[ennui]

A tour of a pearl farm in Japan would be cool. Sort of where it all began.

 

[katbadness]

I don't know how far this place is from the large cities you mentioned.

But I thought I'd throw this into the mix.. How about the Mikimoto's Pearl Museum? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikimoto_Pearl_Island

 

[NacreLover]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Kasumigaura
60 km N.E. of Tokyo.

 

[Siameseroo]

I'm also heading to Japan later this year! Lily please update us when you get back. I'd love to hear about your experience buying pearls/visiting pearly places in Japan.

 

[SapphireStyle]

I love the Mikimoto Pearl Museum on the top floor of the Mikimoto store in Ginza. I visit it every time I am in Tokyo.

I have viewed pearl farming off of the island of Kyushu - but no tours.

 

[lambskin]

We lived in Japan for nearly 2 years in 1990. I searched for pearl deals and could not find any. Even though the dollar to yen was favorable, they were really pricey. My work gave a beautiful triple strand to a retiring office administrator. They apologized the pearls were not Mikimoto but were still of the highest quality. The pearls were gorgeous. So you may want to access some Japanese expat forums that may have tips as to pearl shopping. Good luck.

 

[SapphireStyle]

I am in Tokyo every couple of years and I agree, pearls (and everything else) are really pricey there. I just go to Mikimoto to ogle the beautiful pearls. If I buy, it is usually Hong Kong or the US.