Takayama
Helmed by the one-time head of the local ittobori (woodcarving) association, this studio and shop sells find figurines from ¥750 to how much?
Must-see shopping in Japan
Osaka
In the hip Minami-Horie district, this street is lined with fashionable streetwear boutiques. There's more on the side streets (along with plenty of cafes…
Osaka
This vast store sells everything related to cameras, electronics and computers at competitive prices. It's a good spot to pick up a travel SIM card, too.
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
There's a selection of over 100,000 titles here including comics, illustrated books, pop-cultural-idol books and cosplay (costume play) titles.
Hiroshima
A large department store in central Hiroshima, with mostly designer fashion but also homewares, food and big brands such as Muji and Tower Records.
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Connected to Shinjuku Station (enter from the east exit), this Lumine (there are several) stocks trendy and youthful fashion and cosmetics brands.
Kagoshima
Shop here for local specialities: ceramics, wood crafts, tea, accessories, and lots of shōchū (distilled liquor). It's near Tenmonkan.
Kumamoto
A landmark department store near the intersection of the Kamitōri and Shimotōri Arcades. It has a special service desk for foreign visitors.
Nagasaki
Some 700 businesses, from department stores to speciality boutiques and electronics outlets, populate these covered streets near Shianbashi.
Naha
Love it or loathe it, Okinawa's most popular duty-free department-store extravaganza is a hotbed of activity in this consumer-driven city.
Kumamoto
This newly rebuilt multistorey shopping complex is filled with fashion and lifestyle boutiques and has an outlet of Muji on the 4th floor.
Hiroshima
Classy Mitsukoshi stocks designer labels and homewares, and has a small basement-floor gourmet food hall and upmarket supermarket.
Southern Higashiyama
This fine specialist store stocks a wide selection of bamboo crafts, such as baskets, bamboo vases, decorations and knick-knacks.
Osaka
Six floors of tech, gadgets and gizmos, plus fashion and restaurant floors. You can pick up prepaid travel SIM cards here, too.
Downtown Kyoto
This large vintage clothing store in the Teramachi covered arcade sells a good range of secondhand kimono on the second floor.
Odaiba & Tokyo Bay
Ding the ship's bell to gain access to this antiques and curios store, stocking items for those with adult or macabre tastes.
Osaka
If you need a new backpack or any other kind of outdoor gear, head to this excellent shop in the Grand Front complex.
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Three floors of soothing, contemporary design (both Japanese and international) from cushions to candle holders.
Downtown Kyoto
Gourmet supermarket on Sanjō-dōri with a good selection of imported food and an excellent selection of wine.
Kagoshima
A higher-end department store and shopping centre. Look for it behind the distinctive neo-baroque facade.
Osaka
A big selection of stylish Japanese and international brands, on the northern side of JR Osaka Station.
Fukuoka
Maruzen has a huge selection of over 600,000 Japanese- and English-language books, magazines and DVDs.
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
Seven whole floors of anime, J-pop culture and hobby items, including the company's signature dolls.
Fukuoka
Popular, 10-storey department store (eight floors above ground, two below) across two buildings.
Ehime Prefecture
This Matsuyama branch of the department-store chain marks the northern end of Ōkaidō arcade.
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
Kyōsen-dō sells a colourful variety of paper fans starting at reasonable prices.
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Ōtsuchi's 'Recovery Market' has developed into a full commercial zone with assorted shops, restaurants and services. It rewards a little time and money…
Kagoshima
This ivy-covered shopping centre in Tenmonkan is many storeys of fashion, lifestyle goods (at Loft), books (at Junkudō, including some periodicals and…
Harajuku & Aoyama
Daiso is a chain of 100 shops and the handy outlet on Takeshita-dōri carries lots of useful sundries (like towels and slippers) and snacks.
Osaka
Daimaru's Shinsaibashi flagship store is this neo-Gothic building from 1922. It's under reconstruction through 2019, but the newer north and south wings…
Beppu
This popular shopping centre at the crossroads of downtown Beppu offers a Muji branch, a decent basement food floor and, should you need it, a Starbucks.
