Shopping in Japan is a shopper’s paradise, offering an impressive array of stores selling domestic and foreign brands. In the larger cities of Tokyo and Osaka, shoppers can find unique shopping districts grouped around major train stations, shopping centers, covered arcades, and underground malls. 

Those preferring a more suburban shopping experience can visit the big box retailers, outlet malls, and suburban shopping malls, which provide plenty of variety for all budgets, ranging from 100 yen shops to high-end fashion boutiques and department stores.

1. Shopping in Japan: Tokyo

Tokyo offers a diverse range of shopping experiences. From cutting-edge electronics to traditional crafts, vibrant anime goods, fashionable clothing, and well-known brands, there is something for everyone. However, the price range may be more than expected.

Each sightseeing district doubles up as a shopping district, each with its unique atmosphere and selection of products. Here is a brief overview of what to expect when shopping in Tokyo.

 

shopping in japan tokyo


Shinjuku

Shinjuku Station is a major transportation hub and the busiest train station in the world. It is the center of the Shinjuku District in Tokyo, Japan. The district has half a dozen major department stores, including several flagship stores. It also houses outlets of Japan’s largest electronics retailers. In addition, many other shops and boutiques are along its streets and underground shopping arcades.


Shibuya

Shibuya is a major shopping district in Japan, renowned for its youth fashion trends. Home to the iconic Shibuya 109, the area is overflowing with trend setting clothing stores. As well as the larger stores, plenty of small boutiques sell high fashion and designer brands. For a more soothing atmosphere, visitors can venture to Aoyama and Daikanyama, which are quieter in comparison to the bustling Shibuya. 


Harajuku

Harajuku is known for its split personality, as it is home to two parallel shopping streets that attract a variety of shoppers. Omotesando, dubbed “Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees,” is a tree-lined avenue full of upscale boutiques, cafes, and designer shops. Its sophisticated atmosphere is popular amongst the more affluent shoppers.

In contrast, Takeshita Dori is a center of youth fashion and counterculture. This narrow street is filled with shops and cafes targeting the younger teenage crowd. It is a vibrant and energetic place where visitors can find the latest trends in youth fashion.


Ginza

Ginza is a bustling shopping district in Tokyo, Japan. It is renowned for its top-end department stores, boutiques, and designer brand stores. Here, one can find almost any leading Japanese or international fashion brand and major electronics brands like Sony and Apple. The shopping district extends beyond Ginza, reaching into the nearby Yurakucho area. Here, too, one can find department stores, boutiques, and electronic retailers.


Roppongi

Roppongi district in Tokyo underwent a major transformation when the Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown complexes opened. This brought hundreds of new upscale shopping and dining options to the area. These establishments specialize in fashion, accessories, household goods, and interior design, making it the perfect place to shop for luxury items.


Nihonbashi

The Nihonbashi district was one of the leading centers of trade and commerce during the Edo Period. It served the capital with its many small shops with centuries-long histories and the flagship branch of Mitsukoshi, Japan’s first department store. Buyers can still experience Nihonbashi’s traditional products and regional foods thanks to the recent tasteful redevelopment. This redevelopment has built upon the district’s history and enriched the experience for visitors.


Marunouchi

The Marunouchi district is located on the west side of Tokyo Station and is a bustling business district. Many of the city’s largest companies have their headquarters here. Along central Nakadori Avenue, the lower floors of many of the office buildings contain a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops. Tokyo Station has a few department stores and an underground mall for those looking for additional shopping opportunities.


Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is a popular shopping district located around Ikebukuro Station, one of Japan’s busiest train stations. It is an area where large department store groups, such as Sunshine City, compete against each other. Tokyo’s first city within a city, Sunshine City, is a major attraction. Furthermore, Ikebukuro competes with Akihabara as an electronics center due to the presence of big electronics retailers.


Akihabara

Akihabara is a district of Tokyo renowned for its electronics retailers. The area is home to many large stores such as Yodobashi Camera, Yamada Denki, Laox, Sofmap, and hundreds of smaller shops, all packed together on the streets and alleys of the district. 

Additionally, Akihabara is the epicenter of Japan’s flourishing otaku culture, with a multitude of shops dedicated to anime, manga, collectibles, and games.

 

2. Shopping in Japan: Kyoto

Kyoto offers a unique shopping experience with modern and traditional stores. The largest shopping district in the city is located along Shijo Street in central Kyoto. Here, shoppers can find a variety of high-end fashion shops as well as stores with centuries of history selling traditional Kyoto crafts and specialty foods.

 

shopping in japan kyoto

 

Shijo Street

The shopping area along Shijo Street is centered around the intersection of Shijo and Kawaramachi Streets. Here, visitors can find the Takashimaya department store, a Daimaru department store, and high-end fashion brands like Louis Vuitton. If you continue along Shijo Street across the Kamo River toward Yasaka Shrine, the large stores give way to smaller shops selling fashion and Kyoto specialty foods and crafts.

Branching off Shijo Street around the Kawaramachi intersection are the Teramachi and Shin Kyogoku shopping arcades. This two parallel-running, covered pedestrian streets are full of shops and restaurants catering to a younger crowd than the more upscale stores along Shijo Street. Also in the area is Nishiki Market, a colorful narrow food market street known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” It runs about a block off parallel to Shijo Street.

 

JR Kyoto Station

Kyoto’s second largest shopping area is located around JR Kyoto Station. The station building houses a large Isetan department store and “The Cube” shopping center with various souvenir shops, boutiques, and restaurants. The area includes the extensive Porta underground shopping mall, a massive Aeon shopping mall south of the station, and big retailers such as the Bic Camera electronics store.

For a more traditional, old Kyoto atmosphere, visitors should head to the streets of the eastern Higashiyama District around Kiyomizudera. This area is known for its wide range of souvenirs, specialty foods, and handicrafts, including the famous Kiyomizu-yaki pottery. The shops and restaurants in this district have been serving travelers and pilgrims for centuries, and it maintains its traditional feel with its narrow lanes, stone-paved streets, and wooden buildings.

 

Kyoto Handicraft Center 

The Kyoto Handicraft Center is the perfect place for one-stop souvenir shopping. Located just north of Heian Shrine, it offers more expensive items on the first floor, such as lacquerware, folding fans, damascene jewelry, armor, and swords, to more affordable souvenirs on the upper floors. Here, visitors can find kokeshi dolls, yukata, and woodblock prints.

 

3. Shopping in Japan: Osaka

Osaka is a great destination for shopping enthusiasts. It has several world-class shopping districts, such as Umeda in the north and Namba in the south. Major train stations serve both areas, and they offer a variety of shopping options. Department stores, shopping arcades, and underground malls are all conveniently located in these areas.

Osaka also boasts miles of shopping streets and a wide selection of thrift shops and discount chains. Here, you can find designer goods, brand-name items, and inexpensive items that are perfect for bargain hunters.

shopping in japan osaka

Shinsaibashi-suji

Shinsaibashi-suji is one of Osaka’s oldest and busiest shopping destinations between Umeda and Namba. It runs approximately 600 meters in length and is a covered shopping arcade. This shopping precinct is popular with almost every type of shopper due to its range of brand-name shops, chain stores, independent boutiques, and restaurants. After Shinsaibashi-suji, the shopping arcade turns into Ebisubashi-suji. However, the same shopping atmosphere remains.

 

Amerikamura

Osaka is well-known for its unique shopping districts. Amerikamura, the city’s most prominent youth fashion center, is a popular destination for hundreds of small, affordable boutiques. In contrast, the nearby Horie and Minami-senba districts attract slightly more mature and affluent shoppers with higher price tags.

 

Rinku Town

Rinku Town is situated outside the city, near Kansai International Airport. It is a shopping mecca, totally devoted to shoppers. The town has three main shopping destinations: the Rinku Premium Outlet Mall, the Seacle shopping mall, and an Aeon shopping mall. These three provide many shops and services, allowing visitors to find whatever they need.

 

4. Shopping in Japan: Matsuyama 

shopping in japan matsuyama

Matsuyama-shi Station marks the beginning of the Gintengai Shopping Street, a sheltered arcade stretching for about half a kilometer eastwards before turning northwards and leading 600 meters towards the Okaido tram stop. Along this shopping route, visitors will find a range of establishments, including independent fashion boutiques, chain stores, cosmetic retailers, jewelry dealers, accessory shops, patisseries, pachinko parlors, cafes, restaurants, and more.

Continuing northwards from the Okaido tram stop, the street leading towards the ropeway’s lower station to Matsuyama Castle is lined with trendy shops selling local products from Matsuyama and Ehime Prefecture. Further northeast in the Dogo Onsen area, the sheltered shopping arcade connecting the Dogo Onsen tram station with the Dogo Onsen Honkan bath house is filled with stores selling local specialties, gifts, snacks, and designer desserts. These establishments typically open at night, and the shopping street remains lively with strolling visitors and ryokan guests in their yukata.

The opening hours and closing days of shops and restaurants in Matsuyama vary. Stores along the Gintengai and Okaido shopping streets open from around 10:00 to 20:00, while restaurants open longer into the evening. The Dogo Onsen shopping street stores typically open from around 9:00 to 22:00. Most shops are open every day, while others close on one day per month or week, typically Tuesday or Wednesday.