World City Guide

Shopping

Despite ongoing economic troubles and a definite move towards being more ‘Yen-conscious’, the Japanese remain enthusiastic shoppers and indeed the combination of impeccable service, the superb selection of goods and wonderful presentation make shopping in Tokyo very enticing. Although prices are gradually starting to come down and cut price outlets are gaining in popularity there are still few bargains to be had, however, the discerning eye will find numerous unique and affordable items, including ceramics and handicrafts, pearls, electronic goods and toys. The main 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 (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.

The streets around Sensoji Temple in Asakusa are crowded with small shops specialising in Japanese arts and crafts, while the Jimbocho-Kanda area is the place for second-hand books and prints. Worthy of special mention is the Oriental Bazaar on Harajuku’s Omotesando Avenue, a large arts and souvenir emporium with a wide selection of goods at reasonable prices.

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. 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.

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. A smile and a polite request will often yield a discount.

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 most goods and services at the till. Major shops and department stores offer tax-free shopping. Visitors can present their passport and receipt at the service desk for an immediate refund. Credit cards are slowly becoming more widely accepted but most transactions are still done in cash. It is sometimes possible for shoppers to bargain at markets and in electronics stores. This generally takes the form of politely asking for the ‘best price’ and haggling is frowned upon.