There are a few things that everyone will do when they visit foreign countries on vacation. They will eat food exclusive to the region, enjoy the country’s culture, and shop for local or national products to take home as souvenirs. There are many choices for anyone going to Japan, and each area will have its own specialties and items to choose from. You will have no trouble finding things to bring home to your families, but some shopping areas are better than the others. We will look at what most people would consider the top 5 places to do your shopping in Japan. These may not be the best for everyone, and you are encouraged to look for other places on your own, but these will be the most popular options you will have available to you.
1. Harajuku
Harajuku is one of the most well-known shopping districts in the world and is in Tokyo. It is always crowded and draws people from all walks of life. It is famous for having a strong connection to the cosplay community and has many shops that specialize in making clothing and accessories for those who dabble in the trade.
The best place to go and see this is Takeshita Dori, which is a street lined with vendors selling the popular crepes and specialty items. You will have no problem finding some unique gifts to bring home to your loved ones.
You can also take a short walk to Omotesando, which has some of the more high-end stores and Western Brands. You will be able to find almost everything in the area near the station. Remember that this shopping area is very popular and will have people crammed together in the main street, so be prepared to be shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone there.
2. Sunshine City
This shopping center located in Ikebukuro has many stores and other attractions that everyone can enjoy. There is the famous Pokemon Center to get all of your Japan-exclusive toys, shirts, and accessories of your favorite monsters. The Ghibli store holds many items that you can only get there, as well as a Disney store with more Japan-exclusive merchandise. There is a slew of small shops that carry everything from souvenirs to traditional Japanese goods. There are a hotel and an aquarium for people to enjoy. There is one of Japan’s largest theme parks there as well, and it contains over 20 attractions that the family can enjoy together. You can enjoy one of the famous crepes at their crepe stores located in the shopping center too.
3. Shinsaibashi-Suji
Located in the city of Osaka, this district is the main shopping center in the city. It has existed for over 380 years and is a symbol of the area. It is an open market with a roof that stretches along the entire street. You will find almost any kind of shop that will fit your needs. They have shops that make custom kimonos, sell area-specific souvenirs and stores that cater to all kinds of hobbies. It is a short walk from the nearby stations and is a sight that anyone who is visiting Osaka should see.
4. Odaiba
Odaiba is one of the more popular places in Japan. It is seen as a dating area, but it has some of the best shopping in Tokyo. There are multiple malls to visit, and each has shops that offer a variety of souvenirs and other items that you can find only in Japan. The bigger places to shop are in Palette Town and Diver’s City. Palette town is an indoor mall that has many specialty and chain stores to shop for anything you want, and Diver’s City that has the iconic Gundam standing outside of the front doors. There are museums and observatories for people to enjoy as well.
5. Minami-Machida Grandberry Mall
Having been recently remodeled, the Grandberry Mall has become a popular shopping area in Tokyo. The new renovations have revitalized the area and brought in more shops for customers to enjoy. There is a large shopping area that contains stores that have everything from traditional Japanese goods to new fashions. There is a park located to the west of the mall and it has playgrounds and resting areas for people to relax and enjoy the weather. There are other places for entertainment on the park grounds including a movie theater and an amphitheater. It is a great place to spend an afternoon shopping and relaxing.
Even though these are not the only places to visit in Japan for great shopping experiences, they have a large amount of high praise from those who have visited them. It is good to go out and find places that you may not have heard about as you may find some hidden gems that no one else knows about. It will help to investigate the area where you will be staying. Enjoy shopping in Japan!