Shopping
Takashimaya / Daimaru - Downtown Kyoto - Department stores
Takashimaya and Daimaru are the main department stores. Great way to browse a wide variety of japanese brands in one place. Go to the basement and get lost in the huge food market!
Edion / Bic Camera / Yodobashi Camera - Downtown / Kyoto Station area - Electronics
Edion/Bic Camera/Yodobashi are the big electronics stores, cool to browse and handy if you need something in a pinch.
Don Quijote - Downtown Kyoto - Misc.
Don Quijote is a freakshow of a store. It's like a dollar store on crack and also too much cold medicine. Great place to buy cheap/dumb/weird knickknacks to bring back for people.
Sou Sou - Downtown Kyoto - Kimono
Sou Sou is a chic Kyoto clothing/kimono boutique. They have a cluster of stores in a hip shopping area. Close to one of the better shopping streets, Teramachi-dori.