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Although Japan is one of the most expensive
countries in the world, you can still find some good bargains and
certainly some exquisite and unique items to fill your bags.
Tokyo offers an endless array of shopping with the largest shopping
zones in Shinjuku, Ginza, and Shibuya-Harajuku areas. Large
department stores chains such as Tokyu, Seibu, Daimaru, Tobu and
Odakyu can be found side-by-side and can vary greatly from one
another in prices. It pays to shop around if you’re looking for the
best deal.
The service in a Japanese department store is excellent. The staff
stand ready to bow and greet customers, many lifts are operated by
lift ladies, items are beautifully presented, and much care is given
to the wrapping of purchases.
In addition to all the high-tech electronic gadgets Japan has to
offer, you can find a wide range of traditional crafts, such as
delicate dolls (ningyo), ornate umbrellas (kasa) and classic
kimonos. Some other traditional crafts to look for are Japanese
paper (washi) which has been sought after for over 1,000 years;
lacquer ware (shikki), another mastered art involving as many as 15
layers of lacquer to create a range of items from dishes to
furniture; carp fish banners (koinobori); wood-block prints (ukiyo-e);
and the legendary swords (katana). Real Samurai swords will cost a
bundle due to their mystique, ancient Samurai symbols and great care
that goes into making them. Sword shops will also sell complete sets
of Samurai armour. Department stores, on the other hand, stock
realistic-looking imitations at more affordable prices. Pottery can
also be found in department stores as well as in numerous pottery
villages that still exist today. Be sure to at least try on a kimono
and discover how utterly regal you feel. If kimonos don’t seem
practical, check out the more functional cotton yukata robes. They
are less expensive than kimonos and are worn at hot spring resorts (ryokan)
and summer festivals. The Chicago thrift shop in Tokyo sells many
styles of yukata.
On the high-tech end of shopping, there is no better place in the
world to find electronics than in Tokyo’s Akihabara district and
Osaka’s Den-Den Town. The big stores are the only places where you
can do a little bit of bargaining, where you may be able to get a
10% discount. Keep in mind that most electronics are designed for
Japan’s power supply (100V at 50 or 60Hz). You can either get a
transformer or go for the export models that can be used overseas.
Tokyo offers an excellent hunting ground for photographic equipment.
Almost all the big-name brands are made in Japan, therefore you can
find some great deals. Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Ginza areas are the best
place for buying camera equipment. Be prepared to shop around and
consider buying second hand as well. The quality is still quite good
and the price is normally half of what you would pay for new
equipment. In Osaka, the area just south of JR Osaka Station has a
large selection of used camera shops as well in Tokyo.
Japanese-made clothing and shoes are reasonably priced and of high
quality. Up-market fashion district’s such as Tokyo’s Ginza, are
loaded with exclusive boutiques with exclusive prices, however there
are clusters of more affordable stores near by as well. In less
fashionable areas, there are hoards of outlet stores selling mass
quantities of designer- labelled clothing.
The Japanese are especially creative when it comes to creating toys
to keep their kids entertained. Tokyo has some remarkable toy
stores, such as Loft in Shibuya, Kiddyland in Harajuku, and
Hakuhinkan Toy Park in Ginza which even has a children’s theatre and
special restaurants designed with kids in mind. For classic Japanese
dolls, go to JR Asakusabashi Station in Tokyo. Both sides of the
street are lined with many shops specializing in traditional and
modern Japanese dolls.
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Japan Regions