Shokunin is the Japanese word for craftsmanship, but it can also describe the mindset of pursuing excellence in one’s work, whether it yields a simple pair of artisanal chopsticks or a deconstructed pleated dress. For this reason, shopping in Tokyo, one of the world’s design capitals, is always a rarefied experience, with everything from designer vintage to silkscreened stationary shops and specialty toy stores. Here, the ultimate guide to Tokyo shopping.
Department Stores
Japanese department stores are not unlike their European counterparts (think Harrod’s in London and Bon Marche in Paris), home to not only high-end fashion and homewares but also fine restaurants and food halls. These stores are a throwback to the era long before Amazon, when shopping— even window shopping— was an experience to be savored.
Isetan
What started as a kimono store in 1886 is now one of Tokyo’s staple shopping destinations. Isetan, in Shinjuku City, is split into two buildings: the main area sells women’s clothing and food, while the other is devoted to menswear. With a mix of European designer labels like Valentino and Gucci as well as high-end Japanese brands like Sacai and Issey Miyake, the selection is decidedly fashion-forward. After you’ve sorted through the racks of avant-garde designs, check out their selection of fancy sauces and spices, like Samin Nosrat’s favorite soy sauce, Yamaroku. At half the price of what it costs in the States, you’ll want to make room in your suitcase for a bottle. Also worth grabbing: sansho pepper, togarashi, and yuzu kosho. Once you’re done stocking up on pantry items, grab some snacks from the food hall and head to the rooftop garden for a picnic to decompress after a few hours spent perusing Isetan’s racks of ready-to-wear.
Ginza 6
As one of Tokyo’s top upmarket shopping districts, Ginza has its fair share of historic department stores; there’s Mitsukoshi (founded in 1673) and Matsuya (established 1869), both of which sell a mix of luxury brands as well as fine restaurants and food halls. But if you're looking for something more modern, head to Ginza 6, recognizable by its sleek glass facade inspired by Japanese noren, traditional fabric dividers often found at the entrance of shops and restaurants. Each brand here has its own boutique, from Saint Laurent to Undercover, Jun Takashi’s avant-garde streetwear label. At the North Face shop, find the brand’s Purple Label, a Japan-exclusive collection of sleek outdoors-inspired clothing, like waterproof blazers and cropped linen trousers. The real highlight, though, is the massive Tsutaya bookstore on the sixth floor, where visitors can grab a fresh matcha latte and browse their enormous selection of magazines, coffee table books, and novels published in multiple languages, including both Japanese and English.
Shibuya Scramble Square
Shibuya Scramble Square, a newly constructed building that opened in late 2019, might look familiar to you if you’re on Instagram or TikTok; the multilevel mall is home to Shibuya Sky, a soaring rooftop observation deck with panoramic views of the city and Mount Fuji. Named after the ubiquitous Shibuya Scramble Crossing located across the street— the busiest intersection in the city— the shopping complex stocks a mix of designer names as well as inexpensive local labels. At Public Tokyo, find unisex minimal pieces reminiscent of A.P.C., albeit at a fraction of the price. For fans of Proenza Schouler, Bottega Veneta, and Sacai, United Tokyo offers designs for men and women alike.
Beams
Among all Japan’s mega-stores, this shopping destination offers what might be the most fun selection. Whether you’re looking for a classic pair of jeans, limited-edition Nike sneakers, or an impeccably tailored suit, Beams has it. Known for their preppy take on streetwear for both men and women, the brand riffs on classic Americana through a Japanese lens. While the store has multiple locations across Tokyo, the six-floor space in Shinjuku is the best place to shop the widest selection of their offerings: polka dot lanterns, brass camping knives, vintage records, and kid-sized versions of their classic plaid shirts and cable knit sweaters.
Arts & Sciences
Blink and you might miss Arts & Sciences, a string of tiny boutiques in Aoyama. But you’d be remiss to overlook it; each of these shops is specially curated with high-end goods of immaculate quality. One carries minimalist womenswear like classic trench coats, neutral silk blouses, and cashmere sweaters in soothing hues, while another carries modern menswear (think neon balaclavas and Vibram-inspired dress shoes). Then there’s the home goods store, where you’ll find an array of high-end objects d’art, including ceramics that cost upwards of four figures.
Designer Vintage
Secondhand shopping in Tokyo is a far cry from digging through musty piles of ragged tees and jeans. Instead, expect to find immaculately-maintained designer pieces, many of which are hard-to-find collector items, in neighborhoods like Ginza, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. For a more traditional thrifting experience, albeit still rife with good finds, head to Shimokitazawa and sift through shops like Big Time, New York Joe Exchange, and 2nd Street Vintage. Some stores lean heavily on Americana nostalgia while others skew more towards older designer pieces from the mid-aughts, but you’ll also find newer items as well. Everywhere in Tokyo, though, be mindful of one catch: sizes reflect the Japanese populace, meaning they tend to be tiny by American standards.
