By Becky Waring

There's more to Japanese shopping than the Akihabara electronics mecca in Tokyo.

Serious souvenir hunters can choose from a rich array of ancient crafts: scroll paintings, lacquer boxes, cloisonne ware, china and pottery, metalwork, silk kimonos, costumed dolls, hand-made paper, kites, pearl and jade jewelry, and much more, all of which make great gifts. The decoration and design work can be simple or intricate, but it's always uniquely Japanese.

Quality can vary widely, however, so be sure to shop around to find the finest materials and makers. The best places to find work from top contemporary artisans are in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. These also happen to be the main business and tourist destinations, so you can easily combine your souvenir shopping with work and sightseeing. All three are also well-covered by iPass, offering more than 1,300 hotspots throughout the region, including the major airports and many subway stations.

Kyoto, the "city of 1,000 temples," is especially popular with artists. Be sure to visit the Gallery of Traditional Arts & Crafts, which represents more than 100 small studios in the area.

In Tokyo, try the Japan Traditional Art Center, which has a broad range of top quality items and the Oriental Bazaar, the largest souvenir shop in the city.

Lacquer Boxes & Screens—Called Urushi, after the tree whose sap yields the lacquer, true Japanese lacquerware is instantly recognizable for its colors (vermillion red, black and gold) and motifs. The earliest known examples date back to 2400BC. The real thing is applied to wood, metal, paper, and even stone, and is completely different from its cheap plastic imitations. It can take years to produce fine lacquerware, and the resin must be painstakingly hand-applied in layers, cured, sanded and decorated. Look for lacquered boxes, trays, tea screens, bowls and other small wooden tableware.

• Shop at Home: http://lacquer.tafejapan.com/tea-ceremony-goods.html

Pearl Jewelry—If you're in the market for pearls, Japan is the source. Whether Akoya, South Sea or freshwater, Japanese pearls are the cream of the crop. If you don't already know about pearls, start by educating yourself as to type, luster, surface, color, shape and size. All six factors affect the price and quality of the pearl. The simplest way to guarantee yourself top quality is to buy from a big-name jeweler like Mikimoto, which is highly sought after and commands high prices. The more budget-minded can try Canilli Pearl in Tokyo, which specializes in the best for less.

• Shop at Home: American Pearl, Pearl Paradise

Suitcase Stuffers—For smaller gifts you can tuck in your bag, try bottles of sake, chopsticks and chopstick holders (there's an entire store in Tokyo devoted to them!) or kitchen knives. Kyocera ceramic knives are especially renowned for their ability to maintain sharpness. You can even pick up all three in the airport on the way home!

If you're not among the lucky frequent travelers to Japan, you should secure a keepsake to remember your trip for years to come.