|
Shopping
|
Shopping in Japan
Tokyo
Tokyo is still riding high as the world’s ultimate shopping nirvana. And with immaculate service and a spectacular variety of goods, it is very easy to be bitten by the shopping bug. Watch out for the prices, as branded international stuff sell at exorbitant prices.
The key shopping areas in Tokyo are: stylish Ginza, with its ritzy department stores, designer boutiques and chic galleries; young, trendy Shibuya for clothes, CDs and accessories; the ‘youth .Mecca’ of Harajuku for teenage fashions and kitsch; Akihabara for a vast selection of cut-price electronic goods and computers; and vibrant Shinjuku, known for its camera shops, both new and second hand. Odaiba Mall is situated on the Tokyo Rainbow Town development in Tokyo Bay, also known as Odaiba (see Key Attractions).
When buying electrical goods, visitors should remember that Japan runs on 100 volts AC, so an adaptor and transformer will be required unless the items have a dual-voltage switch. In addition, many instruction books are available only in Japanese. Laox, 1-15-3- Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, has English speaking staff on hand to assist.
Antique/flea markets are held every Sunday – on the first and fourth Sundays of the month at Harajuku’s Togo Shrine, on the second Sunday of the month at Nogi Shrine in Nogizaka and most Sundays at Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku. Starting before dawn, many stalls pack up by early afternoon. These markets are great places for browsing and good buys include old silk kimonos, Japanese dolls, ceramics and lacquer. The easy way of acquiring a discount for your purchases is a simple smile and a polite request.
Looking for cheap stuff, head straight for Oriental Bazaar, 5-9-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, is the perfect Omotesando store. From china to yukatas (a simple Japanese robe worn by both men and women), there is something for every budget. Kitsch is big business here, and if you are after something cute and cuddly, Kiddyland, 6-19-19 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, will keep you happy. For more gift ideas under one roof Tokyu Hands stores (website: www.tokyu-hands.co.jp) and Three Minutes Happiness, 3-5 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, are both unique Japanese institutions where home ware and quirky Japanese gadgets are piled high and sold cheap. But the best spot for a guaranteed bargain are the ¥100 shops scattered far and wide throughout Tokyo. With every single item costing ¥100 visitors never leave empty handed.
For food stuffs - a visit to the basement food hall of a major department store is a must, if only to marvel at the exquisite presentation of the extraordinary selection of foodstuffs. Bakeries are currently the hottest food shops in the city, with delicious smells wafting from classy patisseries all over the Ginza, Marunouchi and Omotesando areas. At the other end of the commercial spectrum, lively Ameyoko Market, located under the railway tracks just south of Ueno Park, retains echoes of its origins as Tokyo’s post-war black market, with raucous vendors, cheap prices and crowds of shoppers. The market is open during standard shopping hours.
Shops are mostly open seven days a week, 1000-1900/2000, with department stores closed one weekday a week. A consumption tax of 5% is added to the price of all goods. Credit cards are slowly becoming more widely accepted, but most transactions are still done in cash.
Antique Store:
Art Plaza Magatani— 5-10-13 Toranomon (Minato-ku, near the Kamiyacho station, Hibiya rail line). Phone 3433-6321.
Bookstores:
Jena—5-6-1 Ginza (Chuo-ku). Phone 3571-2980.
Kinokuniya—Takashimaya Times Square, 5-24-2 Sendagaya (Shibuya-ku). Phone 5361-3301.
Kitazawa—2-5-3 Kanda Jimbocho (Chiyoda-ku). Phone 3263-0011.
Maruzen—2-3-10 Nihonbashi (Chuo-ku). Phone 3272-7211.
Camera shops:
All the major camera showrooms are within walking distance of Shinjuku station.
Canon—Mitsui Building, 2-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku. Phone 3348-4725.
Nikon—L Tower 28F, 1-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku. Phone 3344-1830.
Olympus—Mitsui Building, 1-3-1 Kanda Ogawamachi (Chiyoda-ku). Phone 3292-1931.
Pentax—2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku. Phone 3348-2941.
Yodobashi Camera West Main Store—Shinjuku has the largest number of camera stores in Tokyo. 1-11-1 Nishishinjuku (Shinjuku-ku, near Shinjuku station). Phone 3346-1010.
Department Stores:
Isetan—3-14-1 Shinjuku (Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku Sanchome station, Marunouchi line). Phone 3352-1111.
Mitsukoshi—1-4-1 Nihonbashi–Muromachi (Chuo-ku, near the Mitsukoshi-mae station on the Ginza and Hanzomon lines). Phone 3241-3311.
Odakyu and Keio—above the Shinjuku JR station.
Prantan Ginza—3-2-1 Ginza (Chuo-ku, near the Ginza station on the JR Yamanote line). Phone 3367-0077.
Takashimaya—2-4-1 Nihonbashi (Chuo-ku, near the Nihonbashi station on the Ginza, Tozai and Asakusa rail lines). Phone 3211-4111.
Takashimaya Times Square—5-42-2 Sendagaya (Shibuya-ku, near the south exit of Shinjuku JR station). Phone 5361-1122.
Electronic stores:
Panasonic—1-3-15 Higashi-Shinagawa (Shinagawa-ku). Phone 5460-5200.
Sharp—8 Hachiman-cho (Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku). Phone 3260-1161.
Sony— Sony Building, 5-3-1 Ginza (Chuo-ku). Phone 3573-2371.
Malls and Shopping Areas:
Ginza—The Ginza is a shopping haven in Tokyo.
International Arcade— A one- stop shopping arcade selling happi coats (half-kimono jackets), kimonos, imitation swords, pearls, tabi socks (they are specially designed to be worn with sandals), and other items situated underneath the JR train tracks, right next to the Imperial Hotel in Yurakucho. Reasonably priced.
Odaiba Mall—This mall is located in Tokyo Bay. Restaurants, shops, nightclubs and an amusement park.
Specialty Stores and markets:
There are massive wholesale markets in Tokyo, these are open weekdays along the Sumida River, southeast of the city's Kabukiza Theater, an area full of interesting temples and shrines. An early morning visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market is fascinating. Take the gray Hibiya subway line to Tsukiji station in Chuo-ku, explore hundreds of shops in the maze of alleys and pause for fresh sushi on your way back.
Beishu—An excellent place to find dolls, which are an important part of Japanese culture. Nearly every household has one or more traditional dolls. Closed Wednesday. Yoshikawa Building, 2-15-3 Yanagibashi (Daito-ku, near the Asakusabashi station on the Asakusa line). Phone 5823-2171.
Kuroeya—Kuroeya specializes in Japanese lacquer ware (makie). High-quality items range from cups, bowls and chopsticks to trays, boxes and decorative pieces. Prices vary depending on a wooden or plastic base. Kuroeya Kokubu Building, 2nd Floor, 1-2-6 Nihombashi (Chuo-ku, Nihombashi station on the Ginza line). Phone 3272-0948. Fax 3281-2840.
Mikimoto— Here you can shop for a variety of pearls from casual to formal. Closed Wednesday. 4-9-5 Ginza (Chuo-ku). Phone 3535-4611.
Sakuraya—Sakuraya specializes in iaito, or practice swords. Iaito are just as beautiful as real swords. The only difference is the blade: it's made from weighted aluminum and has a blunt edge. Located in central Tokyo across from the Grand Palace Hotel (near the Kudanshita Station). Phone 3262-1969.
Shimakame—Shimakame specializes in kimonos and yukata. Unlike the traditional silk kimonos (which can run ¥200,000-¥1,000,000 throughout Tokyo), a colorful, cotton yukata (similar to what you find in hotel rooms) can be bought for ¥25,000-¥40,000. Daily 11 am-7 pm, Sunday until 6 pm. 6-5-15 Ginza (Chuo-ku, near the Ginza station on the Ginza line). Phone 3571-4651. Fax 3571-2683.
Tokyo Sword—Tokyo Sword is the place to go if you want to buy a real samurai sword (katana). You'll pay dearly for it: a katana made by craftsmen using traditional methods will cost a minimum of US$6,000 for a mediocre sword, much more than US$10,000 for a decent one. Be aware that buying a sword and taking it home as a souvenir is costly and time-consuming. As swords are considered dangerous weapons, they require a permit and registration with the police. Moreover, real samurai katana are high maintenance: If neglected, they corrode and lose their value. Even the oil from your finger touching the blade could result in permanent damage. So think carefully before venturing off to Tokyo Sword. 3-8-1 Toranomon (Minato-ku, near the Hotel Okura). Phone 3434-4321.
Yabane Co.—Yabane Co. is where you'll find netsuke, the small figures or abstract shapes with one or two holes to attach purses and bags to belts. Netsuke first appeared in the 1400s and come in many forms, types and materials. Today they're highly prized collectors' items (and make beautiful pendants). Tuesday-Saturday 1:30-6 pm; a reservation is necessary. 4-28-20-703 Yotsuya (Shinjuku-ku, near the Yotsuya Sanchome station on the Marunouchi line). Phone 3352-6286. Fax 3356-6581.
Yushima No Kobayashi Co.—The Japanese have a long tradition of hand-making paper, and this is the place to purchase some. You'll find amazing blends of patterns and colors in addition to wall hangings, mobiles, wind curtains, lamps and other decorative items. Closed Sunday. 1-7-14 Yushima (Bunkyo-ku, near the Ochanomizu station on the Marunouchi line or JR Yamanote loop). Phone 3811-4025. Fax 3815-3348.
|
