The Ultimate One-stop Souvenir Shop in Ginza
Hakuhinkan Toy Park
Need to buy souvenirs for someone or a group of people and don't have a clue what to buy or where to go? Well, you *could* read any of the following articles on the subject:
http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4160
http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4171
http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4179
Or you could just get all over-and-done with by visiting perhaps the country's best known souvenir go-to store: Hakuhinkan Toy Park. First opened in September 1982 as a novelty and toy store, they now boast shops and outlets in airports all across Japan.
Their main store in Ginza's 8-chome district is home to a wide range of goods that children and adults of all ages can enjoy. Hakuhinkan is an entire building devoted to every kind of game, toy, puzzle, food and snack, and interesting amusing memorabilia you can imagine. Their floor layout looks like this:
1. TV Games
2. Board Games
3. Playing Cards and Card Games
4. Jigsaw Puzzles
5. Puzzle Games
6. Pro models and figures
7. Magic
8. Racing Park
9. Duty-Free Counter
10. Kids' Club and Toy Hospital
Let me tell you, they have EVERYTHING. Never mind shopping for souvenirs, Hakuhinkan Toy Park is veritable paradise for game geeks, anime lovers, and collectors. Seriously, this place is heaven for the young and old at heart. Whether it be weird, wacky, rare, or only-in-Japan, Hakuhinkan Toy Park has it.
Just be forewarned, this place is packed with customers - and not all them patient or even polite. Expect to be bumped into a few times. Otherwise, let the shopping begin!
ACCESS
8-8-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8132
Tel:03-3571-8008
Hours of Operation:
11:00am-8:00pm (Open all year round)
Official Website (English)
http://www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/guide_en.html
Former Deep Japan Writer
United Kingdom