I’m not going to deny it – shopping is a big reason why we visited Tokyo this year. Coupled with Japan’s tax refund, you can really save a lot! We had done hours of research before our trip to help us navigate the shopping scene in Tokyo, and now is the time to share that knowledge with you. Check out this comprehensive Tokyo shopping guide for the best shopping areas in Tokyo and the best place to shop based on what you’re looking for!
1. Ginza
Ginza is Tokyo’s centre of luxury, equivalent to the Fifth Avenue in New York City. You can expect to find designer boutiques and luxury brand outlets here at Tokyo’s most high-end shopping district.
Ginza shopping is centered around Chuo-Dori – the main street stretching approximately 1 km long. This buzzing shopping street is home to luxury stores such as Bvlgari, Chanel, and Prada. Between them are massive department stores including Ginza SIX, Ginza Mitsukoshi, Matsuya Ginza, Ginza Wako, Tokyu Plaza Ginza, Barneys New York, and Marronnier Gate Ginza where you can shop for fashionable items.
Even if you’re not into luxury, Ginza holds flagships stores for many affordable brands like Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M—often with tax-free counters. In Ginza, the true pleasure of shopping can be found at specialty shops like Sanrioworld, Itoya (stationery store), Atmos (shoe store), and Hakuhinkan (toy park)!
2. Odaiba
An artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba is a popular shopping destination for local and foreign tourists. Shopping in Odaiba is an experience like no other in Tokyo. While it is true that Odaiba is full of numerous shopping centers, each one has a theme, offering you a complex shopping atmosphere.
For example, the Odaiba shopping center, Venus Fort in Palette Town. The 3-level shopping center is distinguished from other Tokyo shopping centers by imitating a medieval European city.
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, designed according to the concept of “the theatrical space of the city”, is a popular place for fans of manga and anime. Home to a Gundam-themed store (known as Gundam Base Tokyo) and a life-size Unicorn Gundam statue, DiverCity has become a place for many to unleash their inner geek.
While you’re in Odaiba, don’t miss other notable spots such as DECKS Tokyo Beach (a ship-themed mall) and Aqua City Odaiba (built on the theme of a Tokyo seaside island and equipped with a ramen theme park on the 5th floor!).
3. Omotesando
The main street, Omotesando-Dori (aka Omotesando Avenue), is lined with luxury fashion brands like Tod’s, Dior and Miu Miu. Serious shoppers would stop by upscale malls such as Omotesando Hills and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku for trendy fashion and lifestyle items.
It is true that shopping in Omotesando is very luxury oriented like in Ginza. But what makes Omotesando attractive are the eye-catching contemporary buildings designed by prominent architects, many of whom are winners of the prestigious Pritzker Prize! Meet at the entrance to the kaleidoscope-shaped escalator at Tokyu Plaza or the bubble glass building at Prada, and you will understand what we mean! What we liked most about Omotesando was shopping for household goods. Awesome Store, Flying Tiger Copenhagen and Sostrene Grenes are filled with great items and cute lifestyle trinkets that will give your bedroom some personality!
4. Harajuku
The Harajuku district of Tokyo is always at the forefront of the next big fashion trend. If you’re interested in Japanese street fashion, or anything trendy in kawaii, Harajuku is the place to be!
Takeshita-Dori, aka Takeshita Street, is Harajuku’s main commercial artery and the busiest shopping street in Tokyo. This popular street in Harajuku is full of clothing stores, boutiques, and malls – all for fashion-conscious teenagers and quirky subcultures. Vintage and second-hand shops are tucked away in small alleys – perfect for shoppers on a budget! Look for Cat Street in Tokyo, a hipster paradise connecting Harajuku to Shibuya. Not only are there vintage stores, you can also find local designer boutiques and outdoor clothing stores in this trendy neighborhood. Even if you can’t find anything that meets your needs, it’s a nice place to walk around and shop in Harajuku.
5. Shibuya
The shopping district of Shibuya is a fashion paradise for young adults, with a multitude of shops for men and women of the 20s and 30s. Yes, he can be a little overwhelmed by this hectic atmosphere and crazy crowds. But there are so many fun things to do in Shibuya. He is still alive and full of energy. I mean, where else can you find 24 hour stores ?!
Start your visit at Shibuya Crossing – the iconic intersection of Shibuya, Tokyo. This one-way pedestrian crossing has appeared in countless films and is a must-see in Tokyo! From here, you will come across many Shibuya shopping centers, including Shibuya Mark City, Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya Marui and Shibuya 109.
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6. Akihabara
Let your obsession go wild in the fanatics of Akihabara, anime and manga! It’s your little piece of paradise to buy everything related to animation and video games, and a gateway to all kinds of strange things in Tokyo.
Akihabara is the privileged district of Tokyo to get a glimpse of the otaku culture (i.e. obsessive nerds with an interest in anime, manga, cosplay or games). It goes without saying that shopping in Akihabara focuses on animation and play products. Therefore, you will find countless electronics stores, themed restaurants, costume shops and even housekeeping cafes in Akihabara!
Start at Chuo Dori (the main avenue) to soak up the ambiance of this geek paradise. As you walk down the street, you will come across hundreds of electronic stores. They sell everything from computers, electronics, televisions, cameras, and appliances. The stores to watch are Yodobashi (a 9-storey electronic store), Labi, Sofmap, Akky Duty Free (with multilingual support), Ishimaru Denki and Laox. For manga and anime products, the best place to shop in Akihabara is Mandarake. This 8-story complex is a great place to find collectable manga, works of art, figurines, characters, video games, card games and many collectibles.
7. Shinjuku
My first impression of Shinjuku was that it is so confusing to navigate. It is impossible not to feel it since Shinjuku station is the busiest station in the world.
But like Shibuya, Shinjuku will spoil you for shopping choices. Tokyo’s main shopping centers come together here, above and below ground, creating a dense retail network. Whether you’re looking to buy fashion items, cosmetics, or electronic gadgets, Shinjuku has everything you need. Our only advice is to prepare yourself to get lost in this shopping jungle of Shinjuku!
8. Jiyugaoka
This shopping district at the southern end of Meguro is just 10 minutes from Shibuya and has a wonderful selection of fashion boutiques and home goods stores. Unlike the other Tokyo shopping districts we mentioned above, Jiyugaoka is more peaceful and has a chic European feel.
The main shopping streets here are Marie Claire Street and Green Street, made up of trendy boutiques, lounges, galleries and cafes. We loved walking around the neighborhood because it’s pretty easy to find stylish Japanese brands.
Our favorite stores include Popeye Camera, pual ce cin, Hotch Potch, Today’s Special, Koe House and La Vita. Trainchi is a shopping center worth a visit – we bought some cute kitchen utensils and accessories here!
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9. Daikanyama
Daikanyama, one of Tokyo’s wealthiest neighborhoods, is home to high-end boutiques. If you want to escape the madness of Tokyo, the discreet and trendy atmosphere of Daikanyama is a great alternative.
Shopping in Daikanyama is concentrated on three main streets: Hachiman-Dori, Kyu-Yamate-Dori and Komazawa-Dori. You will find a myriad of local designer boutiques, quaint cafes and vintage boutiques.
10. Nakameguro
Located right next to Daikanyama, Nakameguro has a similar laid-back vibe, except with a more boho-chic lifestyle. This charming little town is full of clothing boutiques, specialty shops, cool cafes and fine restaurants to explore.
Shops dot the two sides of the Meguro river near Nakameguro station. We recommend that you visit the 85 / Hachigo, Migratory and Brick and Mortar lifestyle stores, as well as the Japanese craft store SML and the Traveler’s Factory stationery store. For clothing, 1LDK, seller, Telepathy Route and Saturdays Surf NYC.
