Kōbe
This bayside complex has several malls (Umie and Mosaic), with branches of many mainstream shops. While they're otherwise uninspiring, some restaurants…
Must-see shopping in Japan
Hiroshima
Global Lounge (aka Outsider) has a big selection of secondhand English-language books (mostly paperbacks). You can grab a coffee and use the internet (…
Odaiba & Tokyo Bay
This shopping mall is designed to resemble an Italian streetscape, complete with fountains and ceilings that simulate the sky shifting from day to night…
Western Honshū
Follow the earthy aroma of roasting leaves to this specialist tea shop, where a machine in front churns out fresh hōjicha (roasted green tea) to be sold…
Harmonica-yokochō Morning Market
Tokyo
On the third Sunday of the month, vendors line the narrow lanes of Kichijōji's covered market, Harmonica-yokochō, selling handmade crafts, baked goods,…
Kanazawa
If a flowering tree made of candy excites you, head to Murakami. At this handsome wagashi (Japanese sweets) shop you'll also find fukusamochi (red-bean…
Kumamoto Prefectural Products Centre
Kumamoto
Operated by the prefecture, this shop offers an array of crafts and foods from across Kumamoto: shōchū (strong distilled alcohol), ceramics, plush toys…
Osaka
Village Vanguard bills itself as an 'exciting' bookstore, and it stocks fun, nontraditional, pop- and street-inspired mementos of your time in Japan…
Ebisu, Meguro & Around
Boutique hotel Claska's design shop sells contemporary takes on classic Japanese household goods and artisan wares from around Japan, including a good…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
This mash-up store brings two of Japan's favourite retailers – electronics outfitter Bic Camera and budget clothing chain Uniqlo – under one roof. So you…
Harajuku & Aoyama
The bookstore attached to the Watari-Um, carries a highly covetable selection of stationery items and accessories – sometimes in collaboration with the…
Northern Higashiyama
Next to the ROHM Theatre, Tsutaya has a small selection of books on Japan, somewhat pricey bike rental (3 hours ¥1500) and there's an attached Starbucks…
Arashiyama & Sagano
After you've strolled through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, head to this souvenir store on the main street to peruse the packed shelves of handcrafted…
Osaka
This Umeda department store has hip, youthful labels on the first six floors; fast-food restaurants, cafes and a virtual-reality game zone on the upper…
Osaka
This series of stylish shopping centres is linked by brick paths lined with trees; it's a popular place to hang out on weekends. In addition to men's and…
Asakusa & Sumida River
This small monthly artisan and farmer's produce market includes food trucks and live music. The location next to the Asahi Super Dry Hall provides views…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
A department store Shimo Kitazawa–style: this flea market–like space has dozens of vendors selling everything from handmade jewellery to vintage cowboy…
Tokyo
Specialising in foods made from tofu, this shop and restaurant also sells amazake (¥200), the sweet milky fermented (but nonalcoholic) rice drink, after…
Arashiyama & Sagano
Originally founded in the Nishijin textile district before moving the factory to Arashiyama, Platz is a delightful store selling beautiful handmade…
Downtown Kyoto
Located in the midst of Kyoto’s banking district, this shopping, dining and entertainment complex is always worth a look. The offerings range from books…
Harajuku & Aoyama
Chicago is crammed with all sorts of vintage clothing, but best of all is the extensive collection of used kimonos and yukata, priced from ¥2000, in the…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
On the 5th floor of the Yodobashi Camera building, this is one of Kyoto’s biggest outdoor goods shops. If you’re heading up to the Japan Alps to do some…
Aomori Prefecture
Hippies, hipsters, rockabillies, skaters and wannabes alike will appreciate this eclectic collection of new and used Western clothes, shoes and…
Downtown Kyoto
This shop sells noren (curtains that hang in the entry of Japanese restaurants) and a wide variety of other fabric goods, such as placemats, tenugui …
Osaka
This large bookshop has a great selection of English-language books (on the 3rd floor) and English travel guides (2nd floor). It's inside the Dōjima…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Find yourself strangely entranced by that temple smell? Nenjudō sells dozens of varieties of incense, including traditional scents such as sandalwood and…
Otaru
Local glassmaker Kitaichi is a hit with tourists, with numerous shops clustered east of the canal, including this, the biggest one. Pretty souvenirs…
Northern Higashiyama
This ‘handmade market’ is held at Chion-ji from dawn to dusk on the 15th of the month. Wares include food and handmade clothes. This is a good chance to…
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
This is a collector's plastic dream – heroic, sexy figurines from all walks of Japanese science fiction. Look for the statues of characters from the anime…
Imperial Palace & Around
The Nishijin Textile Center sells a variety of goods fashioned from the textiles for which this part of Kyoto is famous. Goods on offer range from…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
The first five floors of this glass skyscraper are filled with fashion and lifestyle boutiques from international and domestic brands. In the basement…
Popondetta Æon Mall Kyoto Shop
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
If you've got a child who likes trains, don't miss this excellent toy train shop. In addition to a wide range of toy trains, you'll find a great model…
Tokyo
Showcasing contemporary works mainly by students and faculty of Musashino Art University in Western Tokyo, this spacious basement gallery is one of…
Fukuoka
Occupying five floors of the Media Mall building, this bookshop sells a wide selection, including foreign paperbacks.
Kyūshū
About 20 vendors sell fish and related products in a market-like setting here. There are lots of free samples and interesting demos, such as katsuo-bushi …
Osaka
Named for the terraces and trees worked into the open-air layout, Namba Parks features six floors of fashion, accessories, homewares and more, plus…
Downtown Kyoto
Set over three floors on busy Kawaramachi-dōri, Angers is a concept lifestyle store packed with beautiful homewares, stationery, clothing and gifts with a…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
The Ikebukuro branch of the go-to store for all things manga and anime leans heavily on stuff that appeals to girl geeks – fitting, given its Otome Rd …
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Opposite the ferry terminal is this chic bakery and gift shop selling handmade jewellery and homewares, and delicious baked goodies, including hand-sized…
Downtown Kyoto
Check out this youth-oriented shopping centre for a variety of fashion boutiques and other hip shops. There's a small Daiso on the 7th floor for cheap…
