Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Shimo-Kitazawa's best vintage shop, H&A – not H&M – provides all the props and costumes you'd need to re-enact almost any theatrical number, from the…
Must-see shopping in Tokyo
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Tokyo
Specialising in foods made from tofu, this shop and restaurant also sells amazake (¥200), the sweet milky fermented (but nonalcoholic) rice drink, after…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Tokyo
Showcasing contemporary works mainly by students and faculty of Musashino Art University in Western Tokyo, this spacious basement gallery is one of…
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 …
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.
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.
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.
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Three floors of soothing, contemporary design (both Japanese and international) from cushions to candle holders.
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
Seven whole floors of anime, J-pop culture and hobby items, including the company's signature dolls.
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.
Harajuku & Aoyama
Tucked away on a Harajuku backstreet, with a much larger selection of condoms than you'll find in the drugstore – plus cheeky gifts.
