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10 Best Tokyo Shopping Neighborhoods

        posted by John Spacey, Japan Talk, May 10, 2012

Tokyo has around 50 decent shopping neighbourhoods. The following neighbourhoods have something special about them. These are the shopping neighbourhoods that (Tokyo) locals are most likely to recommend to visiting friends.

1. Ginza

Ginza is Asia's biggest upscale shopping district. In the 1990s, land prices here were the highest in the world. Many top brands have large flagship stores in Ginza. In recent years, many affordable shops have also opened large shops in the area (e.g. Uniquo).

girl shopping in ginza

2. Shibuya

Shibuya is Tokyo's busiest shopping neighborhood. It's particularly busy during seasonal sales and on Sundays. Shibuya features numerous department stores.

Many of the department stores in the area target young shoppers (e.g. 109 Shibuya). Other department stores include Tokyu, Shibuya Mark City, Seibu, Loft, Parco and several Marui. There's also a massive Tokyu Hands in the area.

Besides department stores, Shibuya is well known for it's three shopping streets: Koen Dori, Spain Slope (Supeinzaka) and Center Gai. It's difficult to think of another neighborhood in the world that has more shopping than Shibuya.

shibuya sunday shoppers

3. Shinjuku

Shinjuku has numerous large department stores centered around the JR Shinjuku station south exit.

shinjuku shop

4. Akihabara

At one time, Akihabara was the best electronics shopping neighborhood in the world. In recent years, large electronics shops have opened up all over Tokyo. These days, Shibuya and Shinjuku sell more electronics than Akihabara.

Akihabara has responded by specializing. There are shops in Akihabara that sell nothing but robot parts. Akihabara has also become a center of Japanese otaku culture: selling everything related to anime and manga.

akihabara tokyo

5. Harajuku

Harajuku is popular amongst Tokyo high school students. The shops in the area are focused on youth subcultures such as hip hop or decora. They tend to be inexpensive.

The Japanese fashion and advertising industry keep a close eye on Harajuku for fashion trends. Harajuku is key to understanding the new generation of Japanese consumers.

harajuku shoppers

6. Omotesando

Omotesando is Tokyo's second largest upscale shopping area (after Ginza). Many top brands have massive flagship stores in Omotesando. There's also a 6 storey toy store called Kiddyland (perhaps Japan's most famous toy store). Additionally, there's a large shopping mall in the area — Omotesando Hills.

dior omotesando

7. Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa is popular with Tokyo hipsters. The area features numerous clothing, used clothing, music and candy shops. If you're looking for the unique, authentic and offbeat this is your neighborhood.

shimokita shop

8. Kichijoji

Kichijoji is a good option for shoppers seeking a relaxed atmosphere. Neighborhoods such as Shibuya and Shinjuku are crowded, noisy and chaotic. Kichijoji has several large department stores including Loft, Tokyu, Parco and Marui. Numerous smaller shops also line Kichijoji's (relatively) quiet streets.

kichijoji shopping

9. Koenji

Like Shimokitazawa, Koenji is a hipster neighborhood known for its offbeat little shops.

koenji shopping

10. Asakusa

Asakusa is a charming neighborhood that's the location of Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple: Sensoji. Just in front of Sensoji you will find a long narrow shopping street (Nakamise) that sells souvenirs. It's the best spot in Tokyo for souvenir shopping.

asakusa shopping tokyo souvenirs

 
 
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