Tokyo is one of the best shopping cities in the world. The bustling, vibrant culture of Tokyo means that it has some amazing shopping areas.
You can find world-famous brands, local boutiques, and uniquely Japanese stores as well as some amazing atmosphere unlike any other shopping areas in the world.
Tokyo is a shopaholic’s dream! You just need to know where to go! So here are some of the best shopping areas/districts in Tokyo:
1. Ginza
Ginza is considered one of Tokyo’s most popular shopping districts. Located in central Tokyo, it is named after the organization that controlled the coinage at the time of the Edo shogunate.
Their offices and coin foundry were once found here, but now Ginza is a hot shopping spot in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Visit Ginza Six, the world’s largest commercial facility, and shop in the huge department stores found on Chuo Dori Street. There are numerous iaconic sights to see, including the art found in Ginza Six and the beautiful building of the Ginza Wako department store.
There are not only the world’s biggest brands to be found here, but plenty of uniquely Japanese stores and, equally delightful, restaurants. After you finish shopping, enjoy some culture at the Kabukiza Theater.
To get to Ginza, take a train from Tokyo Station to Ginza Station on The Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (Tokyo Subway), which is a 2-minute train ride. Alternatively, you can take JR Yamanote Line to reach Ginza, get off at Yurakucho Station.
2. Shinjuku
Shinjuku contains almost every brand you can think of, from bargains to luxuries. Shinjuku is near the busiest rail station in the world and is a huge, almost overwhelming shopping center.
This is a great choice if you are looking to fill your day with shopping or if you need a one-stopshop (so to speak) for all your souvenir buying.
The massive megastores offer almost anything you might want, as well as offering an interesting and surprisingly vibrant nightlife. You can find adorable boutiques scattered all around, as well.
For a perfect shopping time, visit Keio Department Store Shinjuku, Shinjuku Takashimaya, Don Quijote Kabukicho, ABC-Mart, Isetan Shinjuku Store, Shinjuku Subnade and BICQLO.
Visit ABC-MART Shinjuku Main Blanch and find your perfect pair of sneakers. This is one of the most popular sneaker stores in Tokyo and here you will find famous sneaker brands such as, Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Reebok and so on.
If you are not a fan of brands and looking for cheap fashionable clothes, still you can find many stores here that sell quality products and they are cheap!
Shinjuku is accessible by taking a train to Shinjuku Station, naturally. This station is very busy, so be prepared to deal with the crowd!
3. Akihabara
Also known as AKIBA, this shopping area is a highly popular tourist destination thanks to being known as the center of otaku (geek) culture in both Japan and the world.
If you want to buy unique and cute anime figures, this is where you need to come and explore tons of figure shops. No doubt, the area is packed with a lot of shops and surprises for anime and manga fans.
For those who want to see this unique culture and do some fun shopping, be sure to check out Akihabara Radio Kaikan, a tall building full of otaku shops.
There are many maid cafes in the area and Maidreamin is considered one of the best. It’s worth visiting! Please note maid cafe is a huge part of Japanese Otaku culture.
Besides geeky shops and more, Akihabara is also known as the leading “Electric Town” for its many electronics shops. You can find many unusual and high-end gadgets here.
You can even find high-quality refurbished products for some great prices such as, laptop (with English keyboard), unlocked cell phones and other electronics products at a relatively lower cost.
To get to Akihabara, take a train to JR Akihabara Station and head out the “Electric Town Exit”.
4. Shibuya
Shibuya is a major shopping district that caters especially to younger people. The neighborhood is iconic within Japanese culture.
Here you can find the famous statue of the dog Hachiko, well known for his loyalty to his owner. It is also a hub of the latest fashions and fads. Everywhere you look, you’ll find neon signs and video screens.
The area is always under development, with more high-rise buildings on the way. You can find Shibuya 109, the hallmark store of the area and of Japanese fashion, here, as well as many other glamorous, uniquely Japanese department stores and food shops.
Don Quijote Shibuya (Shibuya Mega Donki) is the largest Don Quijote Store in Japan. That’s obviously one of the reasons why you should go there. Tourists you can enjoy Tax Free Shopping on the third floor of the building.
If you want to buy some clothes such as jeans, winter jackets, shirts, pants and etc. make sure to visit UNIQLO Shibuya Dogenzaka. It has a wide range of clothing and prices seem very reasonable.
One thing you should discover alongside enjoying shopping is Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho. Here you will find many izakayas with a variety of regional foods and drinks from all over Japan.
You can find Shibuya Station at the heart of this shopping district. Expect it to be busy!
5. Harajuku
This trendy and lively shopping district is a trendy place that is the center of fashionable life for many Japanese teens.
You’ll find lots of souvenirs here that you can’t find anywhere else, as well as great food, by exploring the side streets for unique boutiques and cafés. “Cute” is the name of the game here, and if you are looking for a more normal shopping experience, just walk a short distance to Omotesando Street, where you’ll find outlets like Gucci.
Shopping at Daiso (100 yen shops) is always fun and affordable. In Harajuku, you can visit Daiso Harajuku, which is a 2-minute walk from Takeshita Exit of Harajuku station on JR Yamanote Line. In fact, DAISO Harajuku is located along Takeshita dori (Takeshita Street), one of the popular shopping streets in Tokyo.
The building has a 4 floors and each floor is packed with a variety of goods. If you want to buy small gifts for someone in your home country, explore each floor and choose the right ones to bring home.
If you need a bit of peace and quiet to break up your day, head to the gardens around Meiji-jingu Shrine.
Harajuku is a great place to eat, as you’ll find both trendy cafes and upscale gourmet restaurants all very close by, so something is sure to please you no matter your taste or mood.
Harajuku is next to Shibuya Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
6. Ikebukuro
Located in North Tokyo, this is one of the most important and busy shopping centers in the city. Ikebukuro contains numerous shops and places to eat.
The area has embraced otaku culture and you can find many anime, manga, gaming, and more stores here.
If your time is limited and not interested in exploring most of the shopping areas from A to Z, we highly recommend you to pay a visit to Seibu Ikebukuro. You will find everything there for everyday use.
Sunshine City is a huge complex, almost a city-within-a-city that contains not only stores and eateries, but also a museum, an aquarium, a theater, a planetarium, and even indoor theme parks.
For those interested in Pokémon or who are looking for a gift for someone who is, check out the Pokémon Centre Mega Tokyo, a huge store dedicated to all things Pokémon located inside Sunshine City.
Animate, the flagship store of one of Japan’s major manga and anime retailers, is also found in the area, as well as many other department stores dedicated to fashion, arts and crafts, and more.
You can visit Ikebukuro by taking a train to the heavily trafficked Ikebukuro Station.
7. Asakusa
This historical shopping area is popular with both locals and tourists alike. Known for the huge Sensoji Temple, Asakusa was originally Tokyo’s pleasure district, full of geisha culture and other entertainments.
The temple itself is one of the most famous places to visit in Tokyo. At night, the view of the temple is stunning and it’s peaceful to walk around the neighborhood.
The area has retained its historical look, as it escaped much of the bombing during WWII. Here you can find rickshaw transports, handcrafted souvenirs, and traditional food, as well as the vintage Hanayashiki amusement park.
There are also still practicing geisha found here, too. Most stores in the district are usually closed by 9 PM, so be sure to plan your trip for the daytime. The area is not big, so take your time to wander.
The most well-known shopping street is Nakamise. It is the famous shopping street in Asakusa that offers traditional souvenirs, snacks, sweets, crafts, home décor items, clothes and other accessories. You can also buy casual cotton kimonos including traditional sandals, hand fans, which are not pricier.
And on the east end of Asakusa, you can find the large shopping center of Ekimise, where you can find nine floors of shopping and dining of all sorts.
Asakusa Station is located inside Ekimise (station shops), making it an ideal starting point for a day of exploring the area!
8. Marunouchi
Marunouchi is a business district, but it also includes many shopping and dining options. When you are in Maruniouchi district for shopping, our advice to you is- you have to visit The Imperial Palace East Gardens as it is one of the most popular sightseeing attractions nearby Tokyo Station.
Take a stroll along the Marunouchi Naka Dori, the main street in the Marunouchi district is lined by restaurants, cafes, fashion boutiques, office buildings, large shopping complexes and luxury stores.
This street is very famous for its wintertime illuminations attracting hundreds of visitors. It takes place from late autumn until mid-February.
Two tall buildings, Marubiru and Shin Marubiru, contain many different restaurants and retailers, typically high-end ones.
In JP Tower, you can find over 100 stores and restaurants in KITTE as well as an amazing view of the city. This area has quite the nightlife, especially in the Tokyo Building TOKIA. With a good selection of restaurants, this building is a perfect spot for a satisfying dinner in Chiyoda Ward.
At the heart of Marunouchi is Tokyo Station, making it a central location for the start or end of any day.
