Harajuku & Aoyama
Laforet has been a beacon of Harajuku fashion for decades, where young brands cut their teeth and established ones hold court. Check out the avant-garde…
Must-see shopping in Japan
Central Honshū
This high-end maker of wagasa (oiled-paper parasols/umbrellas) is a 10-minute walk from JR Gifu Station. Turn left from the south exit, then right at the…
Karatsu Ware Federation Exhibition Hall
Kyūshū
Just outside Karatsu Station, this exhibition hall displays and sells local potters' work, with prices ranging from ¥500 to eye-watering. Potters have a…
Fukuoka
Modern, multistorey mall with some 70 shops for fashion, homewares and design, plus restaurants and cafes. The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum is on the top…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Spacious branch of famed Ginza gourmet shop Akomeya, and convenient for picking up last-minute gifts and souvenirs before catching the train to the…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
This emporium of homewares, stationery, gadgets and accessories specialises in all that is cute and covetable. The 1st floor, which stocks seasonal stuff…
Hakone
In the village of Hatajuku, halfway between Moto-Hakone and Hakone-Yumoto, this showroom presents the craft of marquetry practised in the area. It's a two…
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
One of several shops in Kagurazaka specialising in traditional craftwork. Here it’s hand-dyed textiles (such as scarves and tea towels), many with…
Ueno & Yanesen
Ueno's main department store, in business since 1907, stocks pretty much all you could want. If you can't find it here, it's likely to be in the connected…
Osaka
Lose hours browsing four floors of retro Japanese toys (Astroboy!), collectible figurines, manga (Japanese comics), DVDs, art and counterculture books,…
Takayama
Stalls here are primarily produce-centric, with seasonal fruit (don't miss the apples in autumn), vegetables and traditional snacks. Permanent storefronts…
Ueno & Yanesen
Dating back to 1864, this venerable stationery shop specialises in chiyogami – gorgeous, colourful paper made using woodblocks – as well as papier-mâché…
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
A changing selection of homewares made by local artisans fills two floors of this old house turned shop. It has a picture window at the front, with a…
Matsumoto
A pun on 'classic' in English, 'kura (storehouses)' in Japanese and 'chic' in French, Nakamachi Kura-chic-kan showcases locally produced arts and crafts…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Music chain Disc Union is doubling down on its commitment to analogue with the opening of this new record shop, with crates full of new and used,…
Fukuoka
The Fukuoka branch of Mandarake is Kyūshū's largest manga store, with two large floors of galleries of games, comic books, DVDs, costumes and merch – lots…
Hokkaidō
This one-stop shop for made-in-Furano food and drink is stocked with local wines, cheeses, cured meats, yoghurts and puddings. There's also a produce…
Tokyo
Outbound stocks beautiful homewares and objets d'art for your bohemian dream house. Works are earthy, made by contemporary artisans and displayed in…
Matsumoto
Temari (embroidered balls) and dolls are found here, about 500m east of the station. Doll styles include Tanabata and oshie-bina (dressed in fine cloth).
Downtown Kyoto
This small shop on the east side of the Museum of Kyoto is a great place to buy washi (Japanese handmade paper) and interesting cards and paper craft…
Osaka
This small record store in the Maru Building packs in a great selection of vinyl and has a friendly and knowledgeable owner.
Kagoshima
At JR Kagoshima-Chūō Station, Amu Plaza has dozens of options for fashion and lifestyle, plus restaurants, a multiplex cinema and a Ferris wheel on the…
Takayama
In front of Takayama-jinya, this market has stalls selling everything from farm-fresh produce to local arts and crafts.
Tokyo
This colourful crafts shop on Amazake Yokochō is a good spot to pick up souvenirs, including dolls and items decorated with patterned kimono cloth.
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Part-gallery and part-boutique, Savoir Vivre carries a small but beautiful selection of ceramics, glassware and textiles from contemporary artists.
Otaru
This tiny cluttered shop has all sorts of fascinating stuff, from expensive ornamental hairpins to kitschy lamps to 100-year-old sake cups.
Hiroshima
This department store is packed with homewares, must-have gadgets, travel accessories, stationery and gifts, all with a designer slant.
Nagoya
The Nagoya branch of one of Japan's coolest department stores has a definite design bent. You can't miss the yellow-and-black livery.
Ginza & Tsukiji
Tokyo chefs and cooks seek out Hitachiya for hand-forged knives, sturdy bamboo baskets and other great kitchen and cooking tools.
Downtown Kyoto
Daimaru has fantastic service, a brilliant selection of goods and a basement food floor that will make you want to move to Kyoto.
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
The ever-changing selection at this compact shop includes clothes and accessories handmade in Tokyo and elsewhere around Japan.
Nara
Good-quality tea towels, homewares and totes with cute Nara motifs (lots of deer) from a centuries-old local linen producer.
Naha
In Chatan, 15km north of Naha, you'll find this gargantuan shopping mall, Okinawa's largest.
Ishikawa Local Products Center
Kanazawa
An overview of Kanazawa crafts, on the kitschy side, under one roof.
