Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Shopping & Markets
Tokyo is the trendsetter for the rest of Japan, and its residents shop - economy be
damned - with an infectious enthusiasm. From quirky fashion to cutting-edge
electronics, antiques to traditional crafts, Tokyo has many ways to tempt your wal-
let. Merchandise is generally of excellent quality, and not as wildly expensive as
you might think.
Shopping Tokyo
Tokyo is famous for its fashion tribes, each of whom has a preferred stomping
grounds. Ginza has long been Tokyo's premier shopping district and is home to
many high-end department stores and boutiques. Rival Harajuku, on the other
side of town, has boutiques that deal in both luxury fashion and street cred.
Shibuya is the locus of the teen fashion trend machine, while nearby Shimo-
Kitazawa has the city's highest concentration of vintage clothing stores. Ebisu and
Meguro are known for small one-off shops selling artsy fashions and homewares.
For one-stop shopping, Shinjuku is your best bet: here you'll find department
stores, electronics outfitters, book stores, record shops and fashionable boutiques.
Akihabara is the place to go to source anime and manga related goods. Ueno and
Asakusa have many stores selling artisan crafts, both traditional and contempor-
ary.
Antiques & Flea Markets
Tokyo's biggest and best antique market is the Ōedo Antique Market (
Click here
),
held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Some shrines and temples also host
