Economically Japan is continuing to tighten its belt, but Tokyo is still riding high as the world’s ultimate shopping nirvana. And with impeccable service and a superb selection of goods, it is very easy to be bitten by the shopping bug. The bubble era days are thankfully past, but with brands still reigning supreme, the glittering international stores sell products at eyebrow raising prices.
The main shopping areas in Tokyo are: stylish Ginza, with its ritzy department stores, designer boutiques and chic galleries; young, trendy Shibuya for clothes, CDs and accessories; the ‘youth
Mecca’ of Harajuku for teenage fashions and kitsch; Akihabara for a vast selection of cut-price electronic goods and computers; and vibrant Shinjuku, known for its camera shops, both new and second hand.
Odaiba Mall is situated on the Tokyo Rainbow Town development in Tokyo Bay, also known as Odaiba (see
Key Attractions).
When buying electrical goods, visitors should remember that Japan runs on 100 volts AC, so an adaptor and transformer will be required unless the items have a dual-voltage switch. In addition, many instruction books are available only in Japanese.
Laox, 1-15-3- Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, has English speaking staff on hand to assist.
Antique/flea markets are held every Sunday - on the first and fourth Sundays of the month at Harajuku’s
Togo Shrine, on the second Sunday of the month at
Nogi Shrine in Nogizaka and most Sundays at
Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku. Starting before dawn, many stalls pack up by early afternoon. These markets are great places for browsing and good buys include old silk kimonos, Japanese dolls, ceramics and lacquer. A smile and a polite request will often yield a discount.
For guaranteed low price Japanese gifts to pack in your suitcase,
Oriental Bazaar, 5-9-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, is the perfect Omotesando store. From china to
yukatas (a simple Japanese robe worn by both men and women), there is something for every budget. Kitsch is big business here, and if you are after something cute and cuddly,
Kiddyland, 6-19-19 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, will keep you happy. For more gift ideas under one roof
Tokyu Hands stores (website:
www.tokyu-hands.co.jp) and
Three Minutes Happiness, 3-5 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, are both unique Japanese institutions where homeware and quirky Japanese gadgets are piled high and sold cheap. But the best spot for a guaranteed bargain are the ¥100 shops scattered far and wide throughout Tokyo. With every single item costing ¥100 visitors never leave empty handed.
A visit to the basement food hall of a major department store is a must, if only to marvel at the exquisite presentation of the extraordinary selection of foodstuffs. Bakeries are currently the hottest food shops in the city, with delicious smells wafting from classy patisseries all over the Ginza, Marunouchi and Omotesando areas. At the other end of the commercial spectrum, lively
Ameyoko Market, located under the railway tracks just south of Ueno Park, retains echoes of its origins as Tokyo’s post-war black market, with raucous vendors, cheap prices and crowds of shoppers. The market is open during standard shopping hours.
Shops are mostly open seven days a week, 1000-1900/2000, with department stores closed one weekday a week. A consumption tax of 5% is added to the price of all goods. Credit cards are slowly becoming more widely accepted, but most transactions are still done in cash, so ensure you carry enough not to get caught out.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Japan Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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