Is shopping in Japan actually really expensive?

I'm going there for the summer with a school group, and am generally travel savvy, and have the obvious down pat [i.e. airports are way overpriced] but would like to do quite a bit of shopping. I'm not only talking 100 Yen shops though. I know about those - if I really wanted to go to one, I'd go to a dollar store here in the US.
So is Japan more expensive in comparison to the US? I'm mostly interested in buying clothes/fashion & local crafts and stuff. Is it worth it to buy clothes overseas? Some of the places we'll be going are Kyoto & Harajuku.

Oh one more: I'm bringing a digital camera. Should I buy batteries in the US or in Japan? Thanks!

Depends on where you shop at in the US. Generally speaking, things are more expensive in Japan, clothes especially but when I was there, the only place that would have clothes that fit me was the GAP! But I am 6' 1" and 200lbs which is larger than the average Japanese person so shopping for clothes was rough over there. Oh, my size 12 shoes were impossible to find and I had my family in the states send me shoes.

Ok, back to your question- You'll be able to pick up tourist type things but local crafts are hard to find, Japan is a modernized, industrial nation so don't expect to see old ladies weaving baskets or stuff like that in Harajuku. There are plenty of little gifts and things you can pick up at local supermarkets, you'll see for yourself. Fashion, in Harajuku there are plenty of little shops that sell local fashion by local designers and stuff, expect to pay $50 to $200 for these clothes.

For your camera, bring your own batteries if they are a rare and expensive type but if they are 3A or 2A or something common like that, they are not much more expensive than in the US. I'd say bring your own just to be prepared... Have fun on your trip!

i think japan is kinda expensive. we r doing a project on it as well. i think its cheap.

by batteries in the U.S. Yes!! everything in Japan is expensive, even bottled water. Try going to the side shops in Kyoto, although it's still a tourist destination, so expect prices to be high. suggestion: buy things in the duty free of the airport- their stores are varied and fabulous plus you will end up paying around 20% less than outside of the airport.

Buying things in japan can be expensive. Usually they are the same price as if you were to buy things in america. Buying local crafts can be pricey as they are all handmade just like if you were to buys omething from a carnival.
I would say just buy anything you wouldn't see in america. Its not worth buying something that you can find in america.
The 100 yen stores in japan are totally different from the one dollar stores in america. The quality things are a lot nicer!
You might as well bring your own batteries i think its cheaper here in america. If you run out, just run to a drug store or in some electronic store and they sell them there.

You want to visit a Don Quioxte, or 銉夈兂銈儧銉? It is a major mess of a discount store. There is one in Shinjuku and Shibuya, but not in Harajuku.