Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world to go shopping, period!
Boutiques and shopping malls aplenty, and whole areas that specialise in one particular category.
Whether it's Akihabara (also dubbed "Electric Town") with it's supersize electronic shops,
Shibuya/Harajuku that caters to the latest in funky youth fashion, or Ginza which is home to many
high-class brands, there will be no trouble finding what you are looking for in Tokyo.
Shibuya 109
Category: Female Youth Fashion
Location: Shibuya
Price: ¥ - ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥
Opening Times: 10:00 - 21:00
This shopping mall near the Shibuya Scramble is the best
place to go for unique and girly Japanese fashion. Shoes, clothes, costumes, beauty
products, accessories, and food are all on offer.
Said to be one of the biggest electronic stores in the
world, and you'll soon see why once you enter this behemoth! We don't need to
explain what they sell, if its electronic, its there!
Whether you're looking for household products or cheap
souvenirs, you're sure to find what you need at this three-floor ¥100 shop, a
prominent landmark on Harajuku's Takeshita-dori shopping street. Daiso makes life
easier for international shoppers by offering floor guides in English as well as
Japanese, while some of the staff can also speak English.
Pile ’em high, sell ’em cheap gets taken to the extreme at
the Shinjuku branch of Don Quijote. The aisles and shelves are cluttered,
disorganised and disorientating, but you’ll find everything from snacks to washing
machines – if you look hard enough, at least. Stays open 24 hours a day.
Mitsukoshi is Japan's oldest surviving department store
chain, dating back to 1673, and this vast edifice is its flagship store. If you need
assistance in English, head to the 2nd floor of Mitsukoshi's Annex building and look
for the Foreign Customer Service Counter. They provide interpretation and shopping
assistance in English and Chinese; have a foreign exchange machine; and can offer
advice on tax refunds, delivery of your purchases to certain hotels, free Wi-Fi
spots and how to take advantage of discounts using a guest card.