Tokyo Shopping Guide

Shinjuku
From cutting edge electronics to colorful anime goods, traditional crafts, trendy fashion and branded
goods, Tokyo has a shop for practically anything one could ever want to buy - although not necessarily in
your desired price range.

Tokyo's varied sightseeing districts double as shopping districts, many of them with their own character and
specialties. The following is a general rundown of what to expect on the shopping scene of each district so
you can familiarize and prepare yourself for a shopping spree in the big city.

Shibuya

Shinjuku - One of Tokyo's largest shopping and entertainment districts

Centered around Shinjuku Station, a major transportation hub and the busiest train station in the world, this
district is home to half a dozen major department stores, including several companies' flagship stores; as
well as outlets of Japan's largest electronics retailers combined with a host of other shops and boutiques
along its streets and underground shopping arcades.

Shibuya - Center of youth fashion

Around Shibuya Station is another large shopping district that is the birthplace of many of Japan's youth
fashion trends. It is home to some well known, trend setting clothing stores such as Shibuya 109, as well as
dozens of small fashion stores along its streets. Small boutiques, including high fashion and designer brands,
continue to be found through to Aoyama and Daikanyama where the atmosphere is more subdued compared
to the electric brightness of Shibuya.

Takeshita Dori in Harajuku

Harajuku - High fashion vs youth trends and counter culture

Harajuku has a split personality with two parallel shopping streets that cater to very different shoppers.
Omotesando, known as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees, is a tree lined avenue with upscale boutiques, cafes and
several leading designer brand shops. Takeshita Dori, on the other hand, is a center of youth fashion and
counter culture found along a narrow street crammed with shops and cafes targeting the younger, teenage
crowd.

Ginza - Tokyo's premier upmarket shopping district

The Ginza features high end department stores, boutiques, art galleries and designer brand stores. Nearly
every leading Japanese and international brand name fashion and cosmetics company has a presence here, as
well as major electronics brands such as Sony and Apple. The shopping extends into the nearby Yurakucho
area with more department stores, boutiques and electronic retailers.

Ginza

Nihonbashi - historic merchant district featuring traditional goods and local foods
The Nihonbashi district served the capital as one of the leading centers of trade and commerce during
the Edo Period. It is the site of the flagship branch of Mitsukoshi, Japan's first department store and many
smaller shops with centuries-long histories. Thanks to tasteful, recent redevelopment that built on the
district's history, Nihonbashi will delight shoppers with an interest in traditional products and regional foods.

Marunouchi - Upscale shopping next to Tokyo Station

The Marunouchi district, on the west side of Tokyo Station, is a newly renovated business district that is
headquarter to many of Japan's largest companies. The lower floors of several of the office buildings along
the central Nakadori avenue contain cafes, restaurants and an abundance of shops. Additional department
stores and an underground mall can be found at nearby Tokyo Station.

Ikebukuro - Large department stores and electronics chains

Ikebukuro is another large shopping district centered around Ikebukuro Station, Japan's second busiest train
station. Ikebukuro is a battleground between large department store groups includingSunshine City, Tokyo's
first city within a city. Ikebukuro also competes with Akihabara as an electronics center, with big electronics
retailers aggressively expanding in the area.

Nihonbashi

Odaiba - Shopping malls on a man made island

Odaiba is a popular shopping and entertainment district built on a man made island in Tokyo Bay. The
island is a trendy date spot, and its Aquacity, Decks and Diver City shopping malls cater to this crowd by
mixing shopping with entertainment. Odaiba also has the Palette Town shopping complex with the Venice
themed Venus Fort shopping mall aimed at young women.

Tokyo Solamachi - Shopping at the base of the Tokyo Skytree

Opened in May 2012 at the base of the Tokyo Skytree, the Tokyo Solamachi is an exciting shopping and
entertainment complex with over 300 shops and restaurants, including shops related to local Tokyo
specialties and many unique souvenir shops.
 Tokyo Solamachi

Roppongi - Upscale shopping in the middle of the city

The Roppongi district has had a recent facelift with the opening of the Roppongi Hills and Tokyo
Midtown complexes which brought in hundreds of new upscale shopping and dining choices. Most shops
specialize in fashion, accessories, household good and interior design.

Sugamo - The Old Ladies' Harajuku

The shops along Sugamo's popular 800 meter long Jizo Dori shopping street cater to an elderly clientele.
The street is named after a beloved statue of the Jizo Bodhisattva that stands on the grounds of the local
temple and is believed to have healing powers. The district is particularly lively on the 4th, 14th and 24th of
every month when the temple holds a small festival.

Akihabara

In addition to the major shopping districts that carry a little of everything, Tokyo has several specialized
shopping districts that focus on just one type of good such as electronics, books or Buddhist altars:

Akihabara - Electronics mecca and center of Otaku culture

Akihabara is home to many electronics retailers such as Yodobashi Camera, Yamada Denki, Laox and
Sofmap as well as hundreds of small discount electronics shops that are jammed along the district's streets
and back alleys. Akihabara is also the center of Japan's burgeoning otaku culture with dozens of shops
devoted to anime, manga, collectibles and games.

Kappabashi - Restaurant supply and everything related to cooking (except food)

Kappabashi is a specialty district that caters to restaurants. Found around Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza
Subway line, not far from Asakusa, the district's shops sell everything a restaurant needs (except for fresh
food) including cookware, ceramic, earthenware, knives, furniture, and even the plastic and wax food
samples found in restaurant displays.

Other specialized shopping districts found around Tokyo include Jimbocho, located north of theImperial
Palace, which is known for a high concentration of book publishers and book stores; and Ochanomizu (one
stop from Akihabara Station on the JR Sobu Line) which is a haven for shoppers looking for musical
instruments and sports equipment.
 Kappabashi

Popular souvenir items such as yukata, kokeshi dolls and woodblock prints may be difficult to find in
shopping areas geared toward Japanese shoppers, although large department stores usually carry a variety of
traditional Japanese goods, typically at high quality and price levels.

More variety and lower prices are offered by souvenir shops found in districts popular among foreign
tourists, such as Asakusa, Akihabara and the Tokyo Skytree. Nakamise Dori, the shopping street along the
approach to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa offers a particularly wide selection of souvenirs. Another favorite
among tourists is the Oriental Bazaar along Omotesando in Harajuku.

Finally, 100 yen shops sell lots of everyday items that make popular souvenirs such as chopsticks,sake cups,
stationery, home decorations and other items, at an affordable 108 yen per item (100 yen plus 8
yen tax). 100 yen shops can be found all over Tokyo with one of the largest located onTakeshita
Dori in Harajuku.

Nakamise Dori in Asakusa

Those interested in food markets should head to the Tsukiji Fish Market, which is also one of Tokyo's
highest rated tourist attractions. The pre-dawn tuna auctions are extremely popular, however those who
prefer to arrive later in the morning can check out lively stalls that pack the narrow lanes of Tsukiji's outer
market or the fishmongers in the wholesale market instead.

Flea markets specializing in second hand goods are also held throughout Tokyo at
some temples,shrines and other public venues. They are usually held on Sundays, either every week or every
other week, and usually have vendors selling second hand goods such as clothes, tools and antiques.