There's a great range of affordably priced shops amongst the high-end brands and glam of Ginza
Tokyo has some of the greatest shops and retail spaces you'll ever have the pleasure of shopping through, and Ginza is no exception. Offering up everything from the most fashionable high-end labels right off the runway to magnificent department stores and small speciality boutiques, there really is something for everyone in the capital's glitziest neighbourhood.
Tokyo’s ‘sneaker boom’ is still going strong and you’ll find all the most popular brands at speciality boutique Atmos, including classics such as Nike, New Balance and Japan’s Onitsuka Tiger as well as seasonal brands. You can also find limited-edition sneakers and even order a bespoke pair...
Just when people were beginning to say that Ginza's days as the capital of high-end Tokyo fashion were numbered, along came Rei Kawabuko to revitalise the 'hood. The Comme des Garçons founder had already scored a big hit in London with Dover Street Market, an eclectic, cutting-edge store where over 150 brands are curated under one roof. In March 2012, she brought the concept to Tokyo...
The store caters to a more mature taste, and offers both taste-fully selected casual and business suitable clothing with just a touch of high fashion. In addition to the store’s own label, it also carries a variety of international brand names. Though there are other branches of this shop in Tokyo, the Ginza branch is especially...
The oldest surviving department store chain in Japan (founded 1673), Mitsukoshi has its gargantuan flagship store in Nihonbashi. This Ginza branch (opposite Wako) has womenswear and accessories on the first five floors, menswear on the sixth, and household goods on the seventh...
Chopsticks make affordable, portable and beautiful souvenirs or gifts. Make a beeline for this specialty shop – it may be small in size, but its amazing, eclectic collection will keep you busy browsing for ages. The shop houses over 2,500 sets of chopsticks and accessories such as chopstick rests to go along with your tableware...
Touted as the largest commercial complex in all of Ginza, this humongous structure sits on the Chuo-dori lot last occupied by the Matsuzakaya department store. The concept for Ginza Six is 'world-class', meaning a rather upscale version of, well, everything. Facing the area's central drag on the ground level are high-flying international brands...
Japan obviously rules the roost when it comes to the diversity of Kit-Kat flavours, but this shop centred on the cult wafer choc will likely draw in both domestic and international fans of the lucky bar. It's the first-ever high street Kit-Kat shop – all the other Chocolatories are located inside department stores...
Japanese paper specialist Kyukyodo opened its first shop in Kyoto in 1663 and supplied incense to the Imperial Palace during the Edo period. Still run by the Kumagai family that founded it, the shop moved to Tokyo in 1880. This branch, with its distinctive arched brick entrance, still sells incense, alongside a selection of seasonal gift cards...
The concept of this bookstore, which opened in 2015, is ‘a single room with a single book’. Focusing on just one book each week, the store creatively exhibits each work in a beautiful space within a wonderfully retro building...
Unlike conventional flower shops, this one primarily stocks wild grass. The seasonal plants and blooms they carry may be simple, but they're sourced from all over Japan and hold a certain charm. You'll also find flower pots and bonsai trees, while there's a tea room – decorated with more wild grass, of course – on the second floor...
Founded over 100 years ago, Noritake is one of Japan’s oldest and most distinguished makers of Western-style tableware. You can pick up all kinds of high-end china and porcelain crockery at the company's flagship store – which moved to Ginza from Akasaka in October 2012 and carries products from Okura Art China...
Based out of Kyoto, eyeglass specialists OBJ (pronounced 'objet') show off both their own originals and brand specs from Japan and elsewhere at this flashy outlet. The rows of waist-high showcases see glasses displayed almost as works of art, with represented brands including Eyevan, Oliver Peoples, Clayton Franklin and Ayame...
They don't call it 'fast fashion' for nothing. Barely six years after it first opened its enormous flagship store in Ginza, clothing retailer Uniqlo upped and moved to an even bigger location nearby. Opened in 2012, the shop sprawls across 12 floors, making it the largest branch of Uniqlo in Japan...
Founded as a tabi (socks) shop right across from the Kabuki-za, Oonoya still deals in traditional footwear, in addition to classy accessories like tenugui handkerchiefs. These beauties, decorated with the shop's original motifs, make for perfect souvenirs.
This multi-storey emporium in Ginza, one of Tokyo’s biggest toy shops, is a showcase for the wacky, the cuddly and the cute, all with a Japanese twist. The basement is the headquarters of the Licca-chan Club (the Japanese equivalent of Barbie). There is a tax-exemption counter on the fourth floor.
If you like the idea of using the same kind of beauty brushes loved by Hollywood’s celebrity make-up artists, then head to this store. Their brushes are handmade by skilled traditional craftsmen using real animal hair. The facial brush with its fine pore-cleansing bristles makes an excellent gift.
Matsuya is notable for having in-store boutiques from the famous triumvirate of Japanese fashion revolutionaries: Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garcons, all of which are situated on the third floor. Traditional Japanese souvenirs are on the seventh, and shopping services for foreign tourists – tax exemption and overseas delivery – are on the third. The money-exchange counter is on the first floor.
Sanrio’s flagship store was re-opened in late October 2009 with the largest selection of Sanrio goods in Japan, amassing all the Sanrio characters together in one epicentre of saccharine cuteness. A statue of Hello Kitty standing on a white globe greets shoppers, and the store is systematically divided into five zones with seven distinct categories including a Hello Kitty Store, and Kiki and Lala themed boutiques modelled on the characters Little Twin Stars. The store stocks a staggering 10,000 items – perfect if you’re looking for that special Sanrio gift, but be careful you don’t get overloaded with the sweetness.
Select shop pioneer The Ginza was re-opened in April 2009 under a fresh concept of ‘love your skin, love yourself’. Specialising in skincare and makeup products, especially those from the Shiseido line, the shop allows visitors to freely try out products. Assistance is offered in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese.
Ideal for beginner kimono shoppers, Suzunoya carries a wide array of high quality items, ranging from yukatas and accessories to stationery made of traditional Japanese paper. Product labels and explanations are all in English, and it’s duty free for those with foreign passports.
The closing of Shibuya's Tokyu Plaza last spring was mourned by many Tokyoites, and it remains to be seen if this Ginza reincarnation of the beloved shopping oasis can live up to expectations. Early signs are promising, however, with the exterior meant to recreate the appearance of traditional Edo Kiriko glass and the insides housing a whopping 125 stores. Those include Tokyu Hands's new venture Hands Expo, Danish lifestyle brand Skagen, and a Lotte-operated tax-free monstrosity that's the largest shop of its kind in Tokyo. The building is directly connected to Ginza Station via a concourse, while a parking area with space for 170 cars is now open as well.
One of the newer shrines to coffee in Ginza, this shop and roastery proclaims to offer an international selection of only the finest beans. The roastery is located on the second floor, while the ground-floor shop sells not only beans but also a variety of other coffee-related merchandise. Coffee 'tasting' is available, but those looking for a sit-down café will have to take their business elsewhere.
This prestigious speciality store is located on the corner of Ginza Yon-chome, across from Mitsukoshi. The building’s grand exterior – with its landmark clock tower – is matched only by the hushed ambience of the interior. As well as fine jewellery, porcelain and crystal, Wako sells designer apparel and accessories.
If you prefer to shop in a less hectic environment, make a trip down to Nakameguro or Daikanyama, the two neighbouring locales which are home to a fun array of stores and shopping spaces you won't find anywhere else in Tokyo. Browse the coolest places from sprawling bookstores and speciality shops to hidden finds under the train tracks.
Discover Time Out original video
