Tokyo
Shopping
Tokyo
is a shopper's paradise with some
of the choicest shopping in the
world. From flea markets to designer
boutiques, from underground markets
to elegant department stores – Tokyo
shopping has something to offer
everyone. Following are some of
the major shopping areas and stores
of Tokyo. Most stores are open every
day from 10 am to 8 pm. Department
stores usually close at 7 pm, with
different stores closing one day
on different weekdays, so at least
some are open on all days.
•
Major
Shopping Areas:
Akihabara
Considered
to be the world's largest single
place in the world to buy electronics,
Akihabara is the perfect place to
buy such things. Everything from
computers,
laptops, mobile phones, digital
cameras, televisions, music systems,
CD and DVD players ,
to second
hand items, electronic parts, tools
and wires can be bought here.
Aoyama/Omotesando
This
shopping area, especially the broad
tree-lined Omotesando Avenue, is
the epicenter of high fashion. All
the big names of designer wear have
their boutiques here. Besides the
Japanese brands of Yohji
Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons,
Issey Miyake, Tsumori Chisato and
Frapbois, such names as Prada, Tod's,
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint
Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana
can also be found here.
Ginza
Ginza
is regarded as Tokyo's traditional
shopping center.
The main thoroughfare of Ginza is
Chuo Street
, which has a large number
of high end stores that sell everything
from high fashion to traditional
Japanese wares. Some of the lavish
stores here, which are attractions
unto themselves, are flagships of
Hermès,
Dior, and Chanel. Tokyo's four largest
department stores – Mitsukoshi,
Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, and Waco -
are also located here. Harumi
Street , which crosses
Chuo Street, also has several brand
name stores. The best known here
is the 7-floor Sony Building that
features all
of Sony's electronic gadgets and
gizmos. The small and side streets
leading from the main roads have
distinctive shops of their own.
Here you can find everything from
paintings and graphics to traditional
trinkets and souvenirs. This popular
shopping destination's streets are
closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays.
Jimbocho
Jimbocho
is Tokyo's bookshop district. There
are well over a hundred bookstores
in the area. Though most of the
books sold are in Japanese, you
can find English titles in Sanseido,
Tuttle, Kitazawa, Matsumura, and
Issei Do.
Ochanomizu
Ochanomizu
is known for its musical shops,
which sell almost every musical
instrument; and for its high concentration
of sports shops with goods and equipment
of almost all sports.
Shibuya
Shibuya
is another major shopping area of
Tokyo. It is mainly known for its
trendy fashion shops and boutiques.
Some of the main big department
stores – Tokyu, Tokyu Hands, Seibu,
Shibuya 109, Parco, and Loft - are
also located here.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku
is a bustling shopping area of Tokyo
which is always crowded with shoppers.
The nerve center is Shinjuku Station
with several massive department
stores – Lumine Est, Lumine 1, Lumine
2, Odakyu, Odakyu Mylord, Odakyu
Ace, Keio, Metro Promenade, and
Shinjuku Subnade – located within
the station. The area surrounding
the station is filled with shopping
complexes. The most prominent of
these are Takashimaya
Times Square and Flags on the east
side, and the many large camera
and electronic stores on the west
side.
•
Major
Department Stores
Isetan
Isetan
specializes in fashions and its
prices range from mid to high. Its
largest branch is located near Shinjuku
Station.
Keio
Keio
is owned by the Keio Railway Company.
With prices ranging from mid to
high, it stocks a large variety
of goods. The largest branch is
located near Shinjuku Station, with
two floors of food and four floors
of fashion, besides stationery,
home-ware, and other goods.
Matsuya
Located
on Chuo Street, Matsuya is one of
the more popular department stores.
Besides designer wear and accessories
in which Matsuya specializes, there
is also a good selection of Japanese
folk crafts items, kitchenware,
kimono, and household goods.
Mitsukoshi
Considered
to be the oldest department store
in Japan, Mitsukoshi was established
as a kimono store in 1673 and became
a department store in 1904. Mitsukoshi
specializes in fashions and carries
many European brands. Its main store
is located in Nihombashi. The Ginza
branch is best known for its basement
food hall which covers two floors
and has an atmosphere of a street
market.
Odakyu
Owned
by the Odakyu Railway Company, Odakyu
has a large array of goods but is
best known for its large variety
of foods. Its prices range from
mid to high. Odakyu's largest branch
is located at Shinjuku Station.
Seibu
Owned
by the Seibu Railway Company, this
very popular department store is
divided into specialty sections
– Parco, contemporary labels for
the youth; Loft, lifestyle goods;
and Wave, a music store. The Ikebukero
branch of Seibu is
one of the largest department stores
in the world. Prices are reasonable.
Takashimaya
One
of the better known stores of Tokyo,
Takashimaya specializes in women's
clothing. Although the main branch
is located in Nihombashi, the most
modern branch is the Takashimaya
Times Square near Shinjuku Station.
This classy store also includes
an Imax theater, an amusement park,
and three restaurant floors.
•
Souvenirs,
Arts & Crafts
Beishu
Beishu
specializes in traditional Japanese
dolls, an important part of Japanese
culture. Location: Near Asakusabashi
Station.
Beniya
The
four floors of Beniya have a broad
range of folk and handi-crafts from
all over Japan. Location: Near Shibuya
Station.
Bingoya
Bingoya
has a large and fine selection of
traditional handicrafts from all
over Japan. Location: Near subway
Wakamatsu-Kawada Station.
Fujii-Torii
Fujii-Torii
specializes in arts, crafts, and
antiques. Location: Near Meiji-jingumae
Station.
International
Arcade
This
shopping arcade specializes in Japanese
souvenirs. Location: A short walk
from Hibiya and Ginza Stations.
Japan
Traditional Craft Center
The
Craft Center has a large selection
of traditional crafts from all over
Japan. Location: Direct access from
Ikebukuro Station.
Mikimoto
Mikimoto
is the oldest and most famous pearl
shop in Japan. Here you can find
pearls of all qualities in a variety
of styles. Location: Ginza.
Nakamise
Nakamise
is a pedestrian street stretching
between the Red Lantern at Kaminarimon
and Sensoji Temple. The street is
lined on both sides with colorful
shops selling souvenirs at very
reasonable prices. Location: Near
Asakusa Station.
Oriental
Bazaar
Oriental
Bazaar is a popular one-stop souvenir
emporium with a large selection
of traditional Japanese handicrafts.
Prices are reasonable. Location:
Near Omotesando Station.
Tasaki
Pearl Gallery
In
this Gallery, owned by a Kobe-based
company engaged in the cultivation,
processing and sale of pearls, you
can see how pearls are produced
and buy them as well. Location:
Ginza.
‘100
Yen' Shops
Found
around train stations and some shopping
centers, the ‘100 Yen' shops sell
everything from chopsticks,
tableware, and fans, to kites, origami
paper, and calligraphy – all for
100 Yens each. These shops are good
places to buy cheap souvenirs.
•
Flea
Markets
Flea
markets are a tradition in Japan.
They are mainly held on the grounds
of shrines and temples, and in the
many parks of Tokyo. You can find
almost everything here at great
bargain prices. They are a good
place to buy souvenirs.
Arai
Yakushi
When:
First Sunday of every month.
Location:
Grounds of Arai Yakushi Shrine,
near JR Nakano Station.
Araike
Jumbo Flea Market
When:
Once a month, date varies.
Location:
Near Yurikamome
monorail Ariake Station.
Asakusa
Sumida Park
When:
Once a month, date varies.
Location:
By the river n ear
Gosai Bashi Bridge at Asakusa Sumida
Park. Near Asakusa Station.
Fuda
Tenjin
When:
25 th of every month.
Location:
Grounds of Fuda Temple near Chofu
Station.
Hanazono
Shrine Antique Market
When:
Every Sunday
Location:
Grounds of Hanazono Shrine near
Shinjuku Station.
Harajuku
Yoyogi Koen
When:
Second Sunday of every month.
Location:
NHK Hall across from Yoyogi Park.
Near Meiji-jingumae Station.
Heiwajima
Antique Festival
When:
May
3-5; June 30, July 1, 2; Sept 15-17;
Dec 22-24.
Location:
Ryutsu Center near Heiwajima Station.
Koenji
Flea Market
When:
Second Sunday of every month.
Location:
Grounds of Myohoji
Temple near Higashi Koenji Station.
Meiji
Park
When:
Twice a month, date varies.
Location:
Meiji Park near Sendagaya Station.
Odaiba
Flea Market
When:
Every month, date varies.
Location:
Fuji
TV's Grand Stairwell. Near Yurikamome
monorail Daiba Station.
Shinjuku
Nomura Bldg.
When:
Once or twice a month, date varies.
Location:
Along
Ome-kaido, before Shinjuku police
station. Near Shinjuku Station.
Takahata
Fudo
When:
Third Sunday of every month.
Location:
Takahata Fudo temple grounds near
Takahata Station.
Togo
Antique Market
When:
Every
first, fourth and fifth Sunday of
every month.
Location:
Grounds of Togo Shrine near Meiji-jingumae
Station.
