Shopping in Japan

Take to the streets of chic shopping districts in the city or hunt for traditional wares in the country’s rural regions
Japan’s deep-rooted tradition of craftsmanship has earned Japanese products a reputation as some of the highest quality in the world
From lovingly brewed sake and prized porcelain crafted in the same way for centuries, to the very latest gadgets and the hippest fashion, you will find it near impossible to leave the country empty-handed. Discover where to shop and what to buy. And expect tax-free deals, limited edition lineups, and one-of-a-kind finds.

Japan is a shopping paradise with a wealth of stores selling everything from traditional souvenirs and local food to the latest electronics and hottest fashion brands. Both domestic and foreign brands are represented, as store for all budgets, from the 100 yen shopsĀ to high-end fashion boutiques andĀ department stores.

Large cities, such asĀ TokyoĀ andĀ Osaka, sport several shopping districts, each with its own unique character, usually grouped around major train stations. Shops are also found in shopping centers, along covered shopping arcades, and in extensive underground malls. Outside of the city centers, large big-box retailers, outlet malls, and suburban shopping malls compete for shoppers with lots of variety.

 

100 Yen Shop

100 yen shops (100å††ć‚·ćƒ§ćƒƒćƒ—, Hyaku En Shop or ē™¾å‡, Hyakkin) are a type of discount store that sell a wide range of products for 100 yen plus consumption tax. This corresponds roughly to one US dollar, making these shops a great source for travelers and residents on a budget.

Typically everything in the store costs 100 yen per item; however, they often sell smaller things, such as candy and snacks, in multiples of 2 or 3 for 100 yen. Some stores also sell selected items for more than 100 yen, which are usually priced in multiples of 100 yen. These items will be clearly marked, and, although more expensive, are usually still a good value for the price.

What do 100 yen shops sell
100 yen shops are able to offer an amazing range of products, many of which are their own store-branded goods, at a price that is sometimes below the products’ actual value. They do this mainly by purchasing products in huge quantities directly from manufacturers in countries with low production and labor costs.

Below is a selection of products typically found at 100 yen shops:

Tableware
Plates, rice and miso soup bowls, tea cups, sake sets, forks, etc.

 

 

 

 

Kitchenware
Kitchen knives, dippers, microwave containers, coffee filters, detergent, aluminum foil, etc.

 

 

Tools
Hammers, measuring tapes, pliers, screwdriver sets, cutter knives, etc.

 

 

Gardenware
Watering pots, mini rakes, containers, etc.

 

 

 

Stationery
Boxes, report pads, memo pads, pens, pins, calligraphy brushes, etc.

 

 

 

Household Goods
Sewing threads, towels, socks, slippers, etc.

 

 

 

Leisure Goods
Ping pong sets, swimming goggles, English-Japanese dictionaries, etc.

 

 

 

Department Stores

Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi
Department stores (ćƒ‡ćƒ‘ćƒ¼ćƒˆ, depāto) typically operate in buildings five to ten stories high. They provide for a one-stop shopping experience with a wide range of products available, mostly better-known brands and high-quality goods. Accordingly, prices are generally on the expensive side.

The first department stores in Japan were founded during the early 1900s. Their predecessors were kimono stores, which supplied various types of luxurious goods during the Edo and Meiji periods. Japanese department stores were largely successful for decades. However, they have been undergoing difficult times in recent years due to the economic slowdown since the 1990s, as well as increased competition from mass consumer retailers and online shops.


Interior of the Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi

Concept
At a department store, shopping is divided into levels. The food department is almost always in the basement and can be an attraction by itself due to the wide variety of Japanese delicacies, sweets, desserts and other consumables on display. At ground level is usually the cosmetics department, where many famous international and local brands of cosmetics are represented.

Moving up, the first few levels are often women’s fashion, while men’s fashion and the sports department tend to be on the next couple of levels. Located above are usually one or two levels dedicated to interior and lifestyle goods, stationery and toys. These days, it is not uncommon for department stores to allocate shop space to private tenants as part of their efforts to reinvent themselves.

The top level is usually the restaurant floor, where multiple restaurants serving different types of Japanese and international cuisine can be found at a reasonable price. Most establishments showcase their menu items as food replicas in their window displays. Some department stores also have rooftop gardens open to customers, that may be used as beer gardens in summer.


Food department

Shopping Experience
Japanese department stores are famous for their unparalleled customer service. The constant greeting by the staff is a distinguishable feature. If you visit a big department store just before it opens, you would usually see its employees lined up neatly, waiting to welcome customers. The moment the second hand of the clock hits the opening time, the doors will be punctually opened, and customers can make a grand entrance being flanked by bowing and greeting staff.

The elevator girls are another unique characteristic. They are female staff, neatly dressed in uniform with the task to tend to the elevators. They provide relevant information to customers as the elevator goes through the different levels and act according to requests by customers to alight at specific floors. Unfortunately, the number of elevator girls has decreased in recent times, but they can still be found at some of the bigger stores in Tokyo and Osaka.


Takashimaya Shinjuku, one of Japan’s largest department stores

Another element is the impeccable presentation of the goods, especially if they are bought as gifts. Products are usually already nicely packaged by the manufacturer in the first place. As gifts, they would be given an additional layer of packaging or some other decoration such as ribbons. They would then be placed in carriers bearing the name of the department store to demonstrates that the gifts have been obtained from a reputable source.

Opening hours are typically from ten in the morning to eight in the evening. The restaurants tend to open later at about eleven but also close later at night. Department stores are open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays as these are the most popular shopping days. Some stores are instead closed on one weekday per week or month. Many stores close on January 1.

At major department stores, foreign tourists are often able to get a refund on the consumption tax for purchases of over 5000 yen. Payment should first be made as usual, after which shoppers bring the receipts, purchased goods and their passport to a dedicated duty free counter in the store to receive their refund.


A Daimaru department store faces a Hanshin department store in front of Osaka Station

Where to find them
Every major city has one or more department stores. The stores are usually located in the city center or around large train stations, and many of them actually belong to the same parent company as the railway companies. Major department store chains that can be found across Japan include Isetan-Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya and Daimaru-Matsuzakaya. In addition, there are many chains that operate mainly within certain regions or cities.

Tokyo
The capital is a shopper’s paradise with many districts having multiple department stores: Ginza is Tokyo’s, and perhaps Japan’s, most famous upmarket shopping district; Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture; Shinjuku has a busy shopping area around the world’s busiest railway station; and Ikebukuro has several large department stores around its station. Local department store chains include Seibu, Tobu, Tokyu, Odakyu and Keio.

Osaka
Osaka is the economic center of western Japan. Many department stores can be found mostly around its two main city centers of Umeda and Namba. Besides the nationwide chains, shoppers in Osaka will also find local chains such as Kintetsu, Hankyu and Hanshin. Japan’s largest department store is located in Abeno Harukas, the country’s tallest skyscraper.

Kyoto
Shijo-dori Street is the main shopping district in Kyoto, featuring Takashimaya and Daimaru department stores. A large Isetan is located inside Kyoto Station.

 

Outlet Malls

Outlet malls are popular shopping venues in Japan. They carry both domestic and international brands, including fashion, electronics, food, sports, household and luxury goods. While prices at outlet malls are not ridiculously cheap, they tend to be better than at regular retail shops. Outlet malls often have sales at different times during the year when prices are further reduced. Many offer tax free shopping to foreign tourists.

Outlet malls tend to be built with an open-air design, incorporating open plazas and covered walkways that connect the shops. They also feature restaurants and/or a food court on the premises. Facilities and services such as ATMs, lockers, rental wheelchairs and rental baby strollers are commonly provided. Some outlet malls also have an event space for live music or entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere.

There are more than 30 outlet malls nationwide from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, although most are found in the Kanto and Kansai regions where they are usually built outside of the city centers near major airports and expressways. Aside from a few independent ones, most outlet malls in Japan are managed by two companies: Mitsui Outlet Parks and Premium Outlets. In general, though, most outlets malls tend to have similar brand stores. Below are some of Japan’s most popular outlet malls:

  • Gotemba Premium OutletsĀ 
  • Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
  • Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu
  • Rinku Premium Outlets
  • Rera Chitose Outlet Mall

 

Share on social networks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and get exlusive first minute offers straight into your inbox.

    Our Newsletter

    Subscribe to our newsletter and get exlusive first minute offers straight into your inbox.

      Visit us on Social Networks

      TourToJAPAN-logo-sakura-footer

      Visit us on Social Networks