Shopping · Tokyo · Japan
Shopping in Tokyo
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fotointheworld, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Tokyo is a shopping city at every level: department stores and luxury flagships in Ginza, youth fashion in Harajuku and Shibuya, electronics and anime in Akihabara, and specialist streets for kitchen knives, stationery and vintage clothes. Best souvenirs: Japanese knives, Stationery and Matcha and tea.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 5
- Markets
- 4
- Top souvenir
- Japanese knives
Where to shop
Ginza
Department stores, luxury flagships, a multi-storey Uniqlo and the Itoya stationery store.
Harajuku and Omotesando
Youth fashion on Takeshita Street and architect-designed flagships along Omotesando.
Shibuya
Department stores, Shibuya Parco's Nintendo and Pokémon stores and fashion malls such as Shibuya 109.
Akihabara and Nakano Broadway
Electronics, anime, manga and figures; Nakano Broadway's mall is crammed with collectors' shops.
Kappabashi Dougu Street
A kitchenware street near Asakusa for knives, ceramics and the plastic food models seen in restaurant windows.
Markets
Tsukiji Outer Market
Food stalls, knife shops and kitchenware around the site of the former fish market.
Ameyoko
A lively market street beside the tracks near Ueno Station, with snacks, dried goods and discount clothing.
Oedo Antique Market
A large outdoor antique market held on some Sundays at the Tokyo International Forum.
Setagaya Boro-ichi
A flea market dating back to the 16th century, held on fixed days in mid-December and mid-January.
What to buy
Japanese knives
Hand-forged kitchen knives from specialist shops on Kappabashi Dougu Street and at Tsukiji.
Stationery
Pens, notebooks and washi paper from stores such as Itoya in Ginza.
Matcha and tea
Matcha, sencha and hojicha from tea specialists, often vacuum-packed for travel.
Kit Kat flavours
Regional and seasonal Kit Kat flavours such as matcha, sold at stations and airports.
Character goods
Pokémon, Ghibli and Sanrio merchandise from official stores.
Tenugui
Printed cotton hand towels that make light, useful gifts.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Tsukiji
Tsukiji Outer Market
The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market's hundreds of shops and stalls still sell knives, tea, dried goods and street food: tamagoyaki omelette on a stick, grilled scallops and bowls of fresh sashimi on rice for breakfast.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Street · Harajuku
Harajuku and Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street is a narrow, packed lane of youth fashion, crêpe stands, rainbow sweets and character shops beside Harajuku Station.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
- Kids
Neighbourhood · Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara's electronics stores now share the streets with multi-storey shops for anime, manga, figures and retro video games, plus arcades full of crane games and themed cafés.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Kids
- After dark
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Ningyo-yaki, Onigiri and Matcha. Stalls along Nakamise-dori in Asakusa and shops in Ningyocho. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | $$$ | Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations |
| Shibuya | $$$$ | The famous crossing, youth fashion and rooftop views |
| Ginza and Marunouchi | $$$$ | Department stores, polished boulevards and Tokyo Station |
| Asakusa | $$ | Senso-ji temple, old-Tokyo streets and views of the Skytree |
| Ueno | $$ | Museums, a big park and a busy market street |
| Roppongi and Azabudai | $$$$ | Art museums, international dining and late-night clubs |
| Ebisu and Naka-Meguro | $$$ | Stylish residential streets, izakaya alleys and a cherry-blossom canal |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in JPY. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and is usually politely refused. Service charges appear only in some high-end restaurants and hotels.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February; the busiest months are April.
- February: Plum blossom festivals at Yushima Tenjin and other shrines (February to early March)
- July: Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (usually the last Saturday of July)
- July: Neighbourhood summer festivals and Bon dances (July–August)
- August: Koenji Awa Odori dance festival (usually late August)
- October: Tokyo International Film Festival (usually late October to early November)
- November: Tori-no-ichi fairs at Otori shrines (November)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, shopping and solo travellers
Shinjuku
Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Tokyo?
Japanese knives, Stationery, Matcha and tea and Kit Kat flavours.
+Where is the best shopping in Tokyo?
Ginza: Department stores, luxury flagships, a multi-storey Uniqlo and the Itoya stationery store.
+What are the best markets in Tokyo?
Tsukiji Outer Market, Ameyoko, Oedo Antique Market and Setagaya Boro-ichi.