Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ì
Bonjour Records
24-1 Sarugaku-chō, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5458 6020,
W
www.bonjour.co.jp; Daikanyama
station; map pp.100-101.
It may not be the biggest
CD store in Tokyo, but it's certainly the trendiest (they sell
their own designer T-shirts) and has an über-cool curated
selection.
Daily 11am-7pm.
Disk Union
σΟεΫϢʔχΦϯ
3-31-4 Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku
T
03 3352 2691; Shinjuku station; map
pp.118-119.
A broad selection of secondhand records and
CDs. There are some twenty other branches scattered around
Tokyo (including one on the same road), some specializing in
particular genres.
Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm.
Rizumu
ϦζϜ
6-4-12 Ueno, Bunkyō-ku
T
03 3831
5135; Okachimachi station; map p.61.
Squeezed under
the railway track in Ameyokochō market this tiny stall
is
the
place to come for
enka
- traditional Japanese
“chanson”. Owner Kobayashi-san will help you search for
that haunting track you just can't get out of your head.
Tues-Sun 11am-7pm.
Tower Records
λϫʔϨίʔυ
1-22-14 Jinnan,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 3496 3661; Shibuya station; map
p.115.
An entertainment superstore, with six floors of
CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, videos and games. Other
branches across the city.
Daily 10am-10pm.
18
TOYS, GAMES AND NOVELTIES
The land that gave the world Super Mario Brothers, the Tamagotchi and Hello Kitty is forever throwing up new must-have
toys, games and novelties. Tokyo's top toy and novelty stores are prime hunting grounds for the next big craze before
it hits the world market. For more traditional playthings, poke around the craft stalls of Asakusa's Nakamise-dōri.
Also keep an eye out for the ubiquitous “¥100 Shops” (everything at ¥105, including tax), which can yield a crop of
bargain souvenirs.
Don Quijote
υϯΩϗʔς
1-16-5 Kabukichō,
Shinjuku-ku
T
03 5291 9211,
W
donki.com; Shinjuku
station; map pp.90-91.
Fancy some sushi-print socks?
A mind-boggling array of stuff is piled high and sold
cheap here - everything from liquor to sex toys, as well as
gadgets galore. A national institution, it's worth visiting
just for the gawp factor. Several branches around the city.
Daily 24hr.
Hakuhinkan Toy Park
തؗ
8-8-11 Ginza, Chūō-ku
T
03 3571 8008,
W
hakuhinkan.co.jp; Shimbashi
station; map p.48.
This huge toy shop also houses a theatre,
staging Japanese-language shows which might entertain
junior - or at least distract him from spending up a storm on
your behalf. And you might want to keep quiet about the
24hr vending machine outside.
Daily 11am-8pm.
Kiddyland
ΩοσΟϥϯυ
6-1-9 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku
T
03 3409 3431,
W
www.kiddyland.co.jp; Meiji-
jingūmae station; map p.113.
Flagship store boasting six
full floors of toys, stationery, sweets and other souvenirs.
Daily 10am-8pm, closed every third Tues.
Tamiya Plamodel Factory
λϛϠϓϥϞσϧϑΝΫτϦ
ʔ
6 Toyokaiji Building, 4-7-2 Shimbashi, Minato-ku
T
03 3719 8124,
W
tinyurl.com/2ck8mrr; Shimbashi
station; map p.48.
Model-kit enthusiasts rejoice - the
Japanese manufacturer's entire range is available in this
three-level emporium, showcasing thousands of scale
and radio-controlled models of automobiles, planes, boats
and military hardware.
Mon-Fri noon-10pm, Sat & Sun
until 6pm.
Village Vanguard
ϰΟϨδϰΝϯΨʔυ
B1F 3-14
Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku
T
03 5281 5535;
Jimbōchō or Ogawamachi stations; map p.56.
This
“exciting bookstore” stocks an amazing hotchpotch of
toys and novelties, from inflatable bananas to Batman
accessories - and a few fun books and CDs. You'll find quite
a few branches around the city.
Daily 10am-11pm.
