Shopping in Tokyo
Hip designer labels sell out in Minami-Aoyama and Ginza. Brave shoppers head for bustling Shibuya for trendy clothes, gadgets and technology at Tokyu Hands. Tsukiji Fish Market is a shrine to fish, with fresh-off-the-boat tuna and mackerel. Antique-hunters look for kimonos and pottery at Oriental Bazaar on Omotesando, or up the hill at the Togo Shrine Market in Harajuku (first Sunday of the month). Most shops open from 10am to 8pm daily.
Mitsukoshi Department Store
Tokyo's flagship store
Legendary Mitsukoshi is the oldest department store in Japan. It started life
in 1673 as a kimono shop, known as Echigoya. The flagship store in
Nihonbashi houses restaurants, a food store where tastings take place and
plenty of Japanese goods.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-7pm
Address
1-4-1 Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8001
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 3241 3311
Tokyu Hands
Gadgets and gifts galore
A prime spot for picking up unusual gifts, Tokyu Hands in Shibuya-ku is
ostensibly a homewares store. In reality, though, it sells everything from
traditional pottery to quirky gadgets. Designs range from understated and
stylish, to cutesy and oddball.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-8.30pm
Address
12-18, Utagawa-machi, Tokyo 150-0042
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5489 5111
Loveless
Hip goodies in Minami-aoyama
Loveless sells funky coffee table books, cool handbags, jewellery, and rare
records. In its cavern-like underground location on Minami-aoyama's high
street, this hip store stocks labels like Viktor & Rolf and
Alexander Wang.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-8pm
Address
3-17-11 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 3401 2301
Transport
Omotesando metro
Marronnier Gate
Ginza shopping experience
Glass-fronted shopping centre Marronnier Gate lies in Ginza. It houses a
range of shops, including Hysteric Glamour and Tokyu Hands - five floors of
high-end gadgets and gifts. Tired shoppers stop for Thai dishes at Jim
Thompson's Table.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 11am-11pm
Address
2-2-14 Ginza, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5524 8830
Opaque
Quirky clothes and accessories
Opaque is a small department store selling trendy clothing, cosmetics and
funky accessories for women. The Ginza store stocks up-and-coming Japanese
and foreign labels such as aquagirl and MINIMUM MINIMUM in its chic,
chandelier-hung space.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-8pm
Address
3-5-8 Ginza, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5250 1184
Tsukiji Fish Market
Frenzied fish auctions
Tsukiji Fish Market in Tsukiji is Tokyo's wholesale fish larder. Visitors
arrive early to see 3,000 tons of 450 types of seafood being sold. Dodge the
giant tuna and dive into a local sushi bar before things slow down at
10am.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Tuna auction 5am-6.15am; visitors recommended to arrive after 9am
Address
5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0055
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 3542 1111
Togo Shrine Markets
Shrine-side souvenir shopping
The lively Togo Shrine Markets occur once a month in Jingumae. From dawn
onwards, locals browse through old plates, folk arts, traditional dolls, and
junk, with the shrine as a backdrop. There are great bargains amongst the
second-hand kimono racks.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
1st Sun of the month 5am-3pm
Address
1-5-3, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 3425 7965
Transport
Harajuku JR or Meiji-jingumae metro
Oriental Bazaar
Japanese treasure trove
Oriental Bazaar on Omotesando Dori is a mine of art and antiques, stretching
across four floors. Kimonos, Japanese furniture, Mokuhanga (woodblock
prints) and Buddhist sculpture have been sold here since 1954. Its grand
red-and-green exterior is a Tokyo landmark.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Wed & Fri-Sun 10am-7pm
Address
5-9-13, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 3400 3933
Transport
Omotesando and Meijingumae metro, or Harajuku JR
BIC Camera
Eight floors of technology
This eight-storey store in Yurakucho offers a huge range of electronics.
Cameras are on offer in all manner of varieties. Technology-lovers also
browse computers, MP3 players, watches and toys. Before buying, check that
the item is suitable for export.
E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-10pm
Address
1-11-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5221 1111
