Advice about Shopping
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LOOK application makes you to understand Japanese product by your native language
▼ Download “LOOK”https://look-goods.com/en“LOOK” is an application that allows foreign tourists in Japan to understand information about Japanese products in their own native language, and share the information with friends and family back in their home country. It aims to clear up the awkwar…(293 words)
R2C8
Tokyo Midtown is A Great Place to Hangout in Japan
Since the trains start so early and there is an Oedo line exit for Roppongi station under the Midtown shopping area, this place is buzzing and fun from about 7:30 a.m. If you get there too early, you can rest right outside in the park right next store. There is a lovely little stream there, open ya…(227 words)
The World's Largest Uniqlo Store in Japan
The world's largest Uniqlo (Japan's largest and most popular clothing brand) store opened recently in Ginza on the main shopping street. I happened to pass by the other day and could not stop myself from stepping in, stupefied by the sheer size. The store has 12 floors and sells pretty much every p…(196 words)
GenS
Shopping in Sogo!
My favorite department store is Sogo, which can be found near major stations and city areas. I go to Sogo for different errands. The second floor of the basement (B2) is a great place to buy food on the go, go grocery shopping and purchase Japanese sweets and cakes as souvenirs for your family. I l…(262 words)
RieS
Retro Souvenirs and Collectables Shopping in Yokohama
The Yokohama Collectors Mall is located in the mezzanine level of the famous Silk Center Building in Yamashita-cho, Yokohama near Yamashita Park. It is wall-to-wall, row-after-row, and counters filled with a wide range of fun toys, antiques, Americana memorabilia, and much much more.Walk the ai…(190 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Children Love Pokémon (and Pokémon Centers)!
Pokémon needs no introduction. But just in case you've been living under a rock in a cave for the last two decades, it is Nintendo's media franchise created in 1996, which has gone on to become their second-most successful character in history.What not so many people know, however, is that ther…(263 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japan’s Farmers Markets
Since the onset of the notion of people bringing their consumable goods together in one area for others to sample, enjoy, and obtain, they were unknowingly creating the concept of markets as we know them today. What might come to mind when I say the word market are smartly lined shelves, refrigerat…(321 words)
Alex
Enjoy shopping Japanese products everywhere !
Have you ever experienced the following situations about Japanese products? “After I visited Japan and bought some Japanese products, I want to buy them again in your country… “ “I wanted to buy Japanese product but you could not find in your country…” “I got Japanese souvenir…(636 words)
R2C8
Underground Shopping
Shinjuku station is absolutely massive, and can provide hours of entertainment, if you are a shopper that is.One place that I got repeatedly dragged to by my girlfriend when I was a student here in Tokyo is the underground shopping avenue that runs from the Marunouchi line area to the ground le…(117 words)
KurtisW
What to do on rainy days in Tokyo: Palm Shoutengai (covered shopping street)
Rainy season can be a drag, but fear not! Covered shopping streets are the perfect place to people watch, find cool souvenirs and enjoy tasty culinary experiences.The covered shoutengai in Musashi Koyama (just two stops away from Meguro) is almost 1 kilometre long, and like all shoutengai is ju…(357 words)
Chiara
Japan's Expanded "Tax Free" system for tourists
If you are coming to Japan on a tourist visa (or if the stamp in your passport says "temporary visitor") and in Japan less than six months, you can take advantage of Japan’s tax free system. Save 8% on Everything from electronics, alcohol, clothes, and more. Just for tourists.Currently, Japan h…(490 words)
Peter
Japan Tax-free Shopping guide 日本免稅購物常見問題
From October 1, 2014, additional products are added to the tax-exemption products at tax-free program participating stores. This includes food, medicines and cosmetics.* There are some restrictions and conditions depending on the type of products for tax-exemption purchase.(1) Consumables (food…(232 words)
Eddie
How to Plan a One-Day Shopping Tour in Japan, From Haneda Airport
Yokohama Shopping Day with Lunch and Dinner, Various Options from Fancy Japanese Department Stores to Popular Local Discount Shops!If you have only one day available for shopping, how can you spend a day most efficiently? Would you love to enjoy shopping experience in Japan such as fancy famous…(480 words)
Eddie
Tourist Tip #9: One-stop Super Shopping Stores
In July and August of last year, I wrote about a few excellent places to shop for souvenirs:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3317http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3432However, this morning I noticed that I'd completely left out one of my personal favourite places to shop at, one I visit at least onc…(291 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
ISETAN Department Store with an abundant line-up of products and unparalleled customer service
There are a number of major department stores in Shinjuku area, Tokyo, offering a wide variety of shopping locales for international visitors. Located next to Shinjuku 3-Chome subway Station, ISETAN is a veteran among Shinjuku's department stores and they focus on high-quality, unique items especia…(578 words)
Aom
When Shopping in Japan Live as the Japanese Do
Shopping in Japan can be a dream. The stores are beautiful and the shopkeepers are very civilized and unaggressive. One thing to remember is that when the staff say "Irashaimase" it basically means welcome and is a set phrase at every establishment. They are just welcoming you and not being pushy i…(113 words)
Japan's the Best Place for Cute Tiny Gifts
Look closely at the little knick knacks in the various shops along a street or shopping arcade in Japan and you will be amazed by the ingenuity that goes in to one little item and how it can grace the home with a bit of sweetness and be useful at the same time. I believe Japan has kind of mastered …(166 words)
Shopping for little ones while in Japan
While in Japan, why not stop in one of the numerous shopping malls and find some Japan fashions for your kids? Motherways www.motherways.com is one of the most popular stores for parents to buy great fashionable clothes for children from toddlers through to 12 years old. Most clothes can be found…(135 words)
Kevin
Shopping in Kyushu
Yufuin （湯布院） is one of the main tourist attractions of Kyushu. It is in Oita prefecture, which is famous for its hot springs. If you are looking for traditional Japanese goods, cute souvenirs or delicious food, this is the place to go!Yufuin is a small area (similar to Komachi-dori in Kamaku…(116 words)
RieS
Sweet Tokyo Skytree Souvenirs from Solamachi Mall
Solamachi "Sky City" Mall at Tokyo Skytree is one of the best places to go shopping for Tokyo souvenirs. This is a very big nice shopping mall with over 300 stores. There are many restaurants and cafes here as well. You could spend a rainy day inside.Solamachi is also very easy to find. It sits…(237 words)
David
100 Yen Shop Shopping Sense
I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't think that 100 yen shops aren't great. There's just so much of everything that you can find for a mere few coins. If you can find it at a convenience store or local market, you can bet your nearby 100 yen store probably will, too.It used to be one might hide …(252 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Top 5 Awesome Things About Akihabara
Ah Akihabara, a very unique spot of Tokyo, Japan. Many people flock to this flashy decorated part of the metropolis each for their own special reasons. An uninformed one may be intimidated by the strange sight of Akihabara, or Akiba as it's known to familiars. What makes this area of Tokyo so speci…(1402 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Parking in Japan
Parking in Japan is actually quite complicated. You don't need to be in Japan very long to notice that there is not much street parking. There are some parking metered areas, but there are way more cars in commercial car parks than there are on the streets.In fact, it is basically illegal to park…(675 words)
StevieB
Shibuya Subway Station, by Tadao Ando
The Shibuya Subway Station is famous for a number of reasons. It was designed by world renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. It's design, in not surprising Tokyo cool, is egg shaped and intentionally designed to look like a spaceship. There are locations in the station where the design can se…(469 words)
mikekato
Where History Meets Art in One Tokyo Landmark
There's no shortage of art galleries in Japan, but in upscale old-school Ginza, there's one that goes back, waaaaaaaaay back.The Okuno Building, built in 1932, was originally constructed to serve as a luxury apartment complex. It has miraculously survived the bombings of World War II, as well a…(449 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Enjoy the Yokohama Market, heaven for fish lovers, in a more delicious way
When we think of the Marine Products Division of the Yokohama Market, we imagine the intermediate wholesalers, true professionals in the world of fish, all lined up, with other professionals in the world of fish—the fish mongers and the sushi shop owners—coming to purchase their wares. Normally we …(1809 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
100 Yen Shop Listing for Yokohama
I was recently asked by a group of tourists, “Can you tell us where the nearest convenience store is?”“Why bother with a conbini?” I replied. “There’s a 100 yen shop just down the street. They’ll have whatever you need. And for less.”Cue the sound of joy and jubilation. Oh happy day.100…(264 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
5 Ways to Go Sailing in Shonan
A few years ago, while shopping at our local bakery, my husband and I overheard a conversation between two stranded travelers from Southern France. They had arrived a few days before to Japan and were following the trail of Kelly Slater, one of their surfing heroes, who often competes in our area …(628 words)
Alana
Shopping Seasonal Japan - Limited Edition Products
“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” ― Yoko OnoOne of the many things I love about Japan is its distinctive four seasons. You…(259 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Hitachino Nest Beer
Kiuchi Brewery in Ibaraki prefecture has been making Hitachino Nest Beer since 1996. They offer over ten different kinds of beer including Amber Ale, Espresso Stout, Pale Ale, Weizen, and Japanese Classic Ale. What is also interesting is that one of their beers, the XH (a strong Belgian ale) blend …(117 words)
Nate
Mandarake
Buying manga and anime anywhere in Japan is easy. It is available pretty much anywhere. After all, nearly every convenience store and station kiosk has a pretty broad selection of manga, for children and adults. And since there are Tsutaya and Geo shops all over Japan, you can almost as easily f…(487 words)
mikekato
Tips on Japanese 100 Yen shops (Top 3 Best Buy & Worst Buy)
100 yen shops are a type of store that sells a variety of products for 100 yen (100 yen plus 5 percent consumption tax). They sell processed foods, cosmetic accessories, tableware, cookware, commodities such as batteries and stationary.My recommended Top 3 Best Buys are cosmetics, ceramic tablewa…(318 words)
Eddie
Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: BUNBOGU
Let me introduce Japanese Stationary as the 2nd must have Japanese souvenirs*. In Japan, girls are energetic to have cute stationary and businessmen are interested in using cool gadgets and writing materials. One of the most popular shops is LOFT. The one in Shibuya is the main store, but there a…(159 words)
Keiko, OTT
Tokyo walks: Kuramae
Come to Kuramae if you like craftsmanship and things that are made well, things made by hand. And come if you like quality coffee, tea, and chocolate. This is a small neighborhood. It is residential, but sprinkled with small stores, ateliers, and a surprising number of good cafes. Kuramae i…(264 words)
David
Today I am in Sakuragicho, Yokohama
I often write about Yokohama. It's difficult for me not to. I live here. I work here. And during my time as Creative Director for the Yokohama Seasider Magazine, it was my job (and passion) to learn and discover - and then write about - as much as I could about Yokohama.I love this city and am …(364 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Flee markets: an alternative to shop souvenirs
There are so many things you can bring back home as souvenir from Japan that sometimes, choice and possibilities are overwhelming. It's so difficult to decide which souvenir will please the best to who...And, everyone does not always enjoy "shopping" per se. So you rush to some kind of souvenir…(476 words)
Claire
Denim Kimonos--Only in Kurashiki!
Did you know that the birthplace of Japanese denim is Kurashiki, in Okayama Prefecture?Kurashiki is best known for the great shopping and sightseeing opportunities in the Bikan-chiku Historical district. This area is well known throughout Japan for having refurbished original 'kura' warehouses …(655 words)
Andrea Miyata
Where can I participate in a mochi-making "Mochi-tsuki"event?
Mochi-tsuki event takes place when people celebrate something and it’s always a happy event. As it is often held at local shopping center events or festivals, you might want to check out such local information first. I also know some hotels hold mocha-tsuki event as a part of their New Year’s even…(157 words)
totowatanabe
Adorable Animal Donuts Shop!
Looking for some adorable sweets from the land of Kawaii?If you're in the Tokyo/Kanagawa area, there is an Animal donuts shopthat sells delicious adorable animal themed donuts.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NjP4ZcNrRo&list=UU9c5cDukEo1WcDbiedl4rdA&feature=shareLocated in Motosumiyoshi,…(131 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Benny’s Place, Real American style bar
If you miss your home back in the States, why don’t you visit Benny’s Place to have real spareribs and Buffalo wings on the 4th of July? Their great foods can leave you speechless after a bite.Located within a few minute walk distance from South exit of JR Ishikawa-cho/Yokohama, Benny’s Place i…(209 words)
Suetsumuhana