Shopping in Japan: My Favorite Stores

Shopping in Japan is so much fun! There are a lot of unique designs for clothing, interior design, and more! I definitely recommend setting a day or two aside in your trip to enjoy shopping.

Loft

The Loft is my absolute favorite places when it comes to shopping in Japan! I miss this store every time I return home. It’s pretty easy to spot with its bright Yellow logo and huge sign. There are locations throughout Tokyo: in Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno and the Tokyo Station area. It’s got something for everybody and is so much fun to browse even if you choose not to buy anything. The stores are clean and well organized.

Usually stores like this in Japan have multiple floors, anywhere from 4 to 7. Each floor is dedicated to different items: kitchenware, cosmetics/skincare, home, bags and luggage, stationary, etc. It’s a great place to purchase Japanese pens and pencils, bento boxes, and cute postcards. I also found some excellent skincare products here and eye shadows. There is a tax free counter as well.

Special Note: Keep an eye out for the “Cosme” sticker when shopping for skincare and makeup in Japan. This sticker is only given to products that have received the highest ratings online by J-beauty users.

Tokyu Hands -> Hands

Tokyu Hands, now known as “Hands” since October 2023, is very similar to Loft but historically focuses a little more on crafts and DIY. Since its rebrand to Hands, the product line and offerings are expected to change. It categorizes itself as a “one-stop-shop” and I’d agree. Similar to Loft it is a lot of fun to browse around and has so many fun items to purchase. There is a large one in Kyoto that I really enjoy visiting.

Don Quijote (Donki)

Don Quijote, commonly known as “Donki” is easily recognizable thanks to its penguin mascot. This store is not for the weak minded. Honestly, it’s sensory overload. Loud music, tight and packed aisles – if you are easily overwhelmed I would proceed with caution. But! It is also pretty fun to browse around in and the prices are great. They’re usually close to the lowest you’ll get, although sometimes you can get cheaper skincare and hair care at Matsumoto Kiyoshi.

A lot of people come to Don Quijote to pick out souvenirs to take home. Similar to many stores you’ll find in Japan, there are multiple stories, each focused on different items. You can grab the popular Kiss Me mascara, hair care, anime merch, KitKats, and unique Japanese candies. If you’re feeling brave, the Osaka store has a Ferris Wheel above it..

Uniqlo

Home to the insanely popular shoulder bag. Which I highly recommend! If you’re looking for great quality clothes at reasonable prices, then definitely check out Uniqlo. There are some locations abroad, but if there isn’t one close to your home then I’d recommend stopping in. The exchange rate also helps lower the price so I tend to stock up when I visit. Loading up on their heat tech range is a great option.

There are often sale items on end caps as well that are offered at significantly reduced rates. They also have a tax free counter and really cool self checkout machines. You simply put your basket on the counter and it automatically scans everything – honestly I’d go just for that!

Some stores also offer embroidery services so you can customize your shoulder bag or clothing.

GU

A sister store to Uniqlo, GU, pronounced “gee-you”, has more unique items available than Uniqlo. I’d say it offers more lounge and street style clothing along with more feminine and office clothing than Uniqlo. Uniqlo focuses more on quality basics whereas GU caters to a younger demographic. Both have male and female clothing available.

Daiso

This list wouldn’t be complete without Daiso – Japan’s 100 yen store, the Japanese equivalent to a Dollar store. But don’t let that fool you, Daiso offers an amazing assortment of items and some are very high-quality for the price. I’ve purchased a lot of souvenirs here and especially like to browse the kitchen area for unique utensils and tools. They also have really cute crafts and beauty products. I also recommend buying some candies and snacks for the day here.

The Official Ghibli Store (Donguri)

For Ghibli fans, Donguri is a must! The merchandise can be pricey, but it’s a blast to browse and some items are really unique and can’t be found online. My only disappointment is the lack of Howls items – I think it was less popular in Japan than the states. The atmosphere alone is so cozy and you can take pictures with the giant Totoro that greets you at the entrance. There is one in Tokyo and Kyoto. The Kyoto one has a little cafe as well.

Shop (and eat) at Subway Stations

Subway stations in Japan are an excellent place to shop. Especially as you travel to different regions. Each city has their own unique foods, mascots, and delicacies that are conveniently available at subways stations. Here, traveling tourists and business men and women grab souvenirs to share with others at home. In Tokyo, you’ll find many stations connect directly into malls for even more shopping! I’d highly recommend visiting Japanese malls and Department store basements for a meal – they are filled with restaurants and snack shops!

Why I Love Shopping in Japan

The more I think about this topic, the more shops come to mind. Honestly, shopping in Japan is next level and is so much fun, I absolutely love it. I have found no matter where you go there is something that appeals to everyone. There are also A LOT of small businesses and unique stores that you can only buy from in Japan. I love supporting small businesses so I really appreciate this.

Personally, the only place I don’t really enjoy shopping – which is definitely controversial – is Harajuku. I think it’s over-rated and the clothing is not my style. It’s also so crowded… Regardless, take your time and enjoy the shops Japan has to offer. I could go on-and-on. Let me know where you love to shop when you visit Japan and if you happen to visit any of my favorites!