There is no shortage of shopping in Japan. It is a shopper’s paradise with so many different products and types of shopping. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs, electronics, or clothing; you will find a variety of stores to explore.
10 Types of Shopping in Japan
1. Department Stores
Visiting a department store, such as Mitsukoshi or Takashimaya, is quite an experience. Department stores offer a luxurious shopping experience with a high level of customer service. Every morning at 10:00 am, there is a formal opening ceremony. The doors all open at the exact same time while the staff stands at the entrance welcoming and bowing to the customers.
The basement of a department store features grocery shopping, Japanese sweets, bread shops, flower shops, prepared meals, and bento boxes. The other floors offer clothing, household goods, and premium restaurants.
2. Specialty Stores
Japan has some interesting specialty stores, including Loft and Tokyu Hands. These stores offer a variety of goods, such as cosmetics, clothing, western items, costumes, household goods, stationary, and sporting goods.
Uniqlo is a Japanese clothing store with simple designs at reasonable prices. Muji is another store with clothing as well as stationary, cosmetics, and household goods.
Photo by Jun560 / CC BY-NC-ND
3. Electronics Stores
There are several massive electronics stores in Japan, such as Bic Camera, Yamada Denki, and Yodobashi Camera. You can find all the latest cameras, cell phones, computers, and video games at these stores. Famous areas for electronics shopping are Akihabara in Tokyo and Den Den Town in Osaka.
4. Shopping Malls
Shopping malls are popping up all over Japan. These large shopping centers, such as Aeon Mall, offer clothing stores, household goods, a food court, high-end restaurants, a grocery store, and a movie theater.
5. Outlet Shopping
Japan has several areas for outlet shopping with the most popular at Shizuoka’s Gotemba Outlet. You can find Japanese and western brands at discount prices.
6. Shopping Arcades
Japan shopping arcades are covered shopping streets with small retail stores and restaurants. There are also underground shopping arcades usually around train and subway stations that offer a vast network of stores and restaurants.
7. Markets
Every city has fresh markets selling fish, fruits and vegetables, and household goods. One notable market is the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo.
There are also markets near shrines and temples. These are a great place to buy souvenirs and Japanese sweets.
8. Convenience Stores
Japan has an amazing amount of convenience stores. Found on every corner, you are never far from food and drinks and ATMs.
9. 100 Yen Shops
100 yen shops offer everything under the sun, all at the low price of 100 yen plus tax (consumption tax is currently 10%). Sometimes you can find really great souvenirs at some of the larger 100 yen shops.
10. Airport Shopping
Surprisingly, you can find high-quality souvenirs at reasonable prices at the airport. Expect to find t-shirts, key chains, yukatas, dolls, pottery, sweets, and other Japanese goods in the shopping areas before going through immigration.
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Becki and Shawn
Japan Travel Specialists
Hi, we’re Becki and Shawn! We love Japan and are truly passionate about Japan and Japan travel.
We’ve lived, worked, and traveled in Japan for 20+ years, so we know where to go, what to see, and how to get there. Join us in Japan for an adventure of a lifetime!
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