Tokyo Treasures
My guide to shopping your way through Japan's capital city.
Tokyo is one of the best cities for shopping in the world.
Japanese design is all about the balance of form and function, and the thoughtfulness put into Japanese products never ceases to amaze me. From kitchenware to apparel, they believe every single thing should be as beautiful as it is useful and, best of all, that a well-designed item doesn’t necessarily have to come at a high cost.
So for this week’s edition, I decided to do things a bit differently and make a roundup of some of my favorite shopping areas, brands and stores in Tokyo. Trust me, this list could be a mile long, but if you’re planning a trip to Japan any time soon, this guide is a great place to start when organizing your shopping itinerary — and I highly recommend bringing an extra suitcase (or two) when you go.
Kanpai!
BEAUTY
I’ve always loved skin care, but my time living in Japan really changed my approach. Gone was the obsession with tanning and the belief a product needed to hurt to work. No matter your budget, there are innovative, effective products for all skin types (I’ll be sharing what I brought home soon). From pharmacies to department stores and a-little-bit-of-everything stores, you’re sure to find every mask, essence and cream on your wish list (and many more) at one of these spots:
＠cosme TOKYO Flagship Store — Viral picks
Matsumoto Kiyoshi — Pharmacy favorites
Tokyu Hands — Natural products
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store — Prestige brands
Don Quijote (aka “Donki”) — Bargain buys
FASHION
When I’m shopping for clothes in Tokyo, the main areas I usually visit are Harajuku/Omotesandō, Daikanyama and Aoyama. These areas are where you can find everything from high street brands to A+ vintage clothing and accessories. When it comes to shopping malls, KITTE Marunouchi and GINZA SIX have an excellent variety and are even worth visiting for their architecture alone. Here are some local brands and stores to check out:
TOMORROWLAND — Men’s and women’s apparel and accessories
Tabio — Socks and tights
MOTHERHOUSE — Leather goods and accessories
Mila Owen — Women’s clothing
Yanuk — Denim
HOME
When we first moved to Japan, the men unloading our shipment remarked on how much stuff we had. Our style was far from the minimal Japanese aesthetic. While I still lean more toward maximalism, I left Japan with a strong dislike for clutter and impulse buys that didn’t work as well as they looked. In addition to home goods, these stores are also excellent spots to pick up more traditional souvenirs and gifts to bring back for family and friends:
HIROO arobö — Glassware and pottery
Loft — Kitchenware and tableware
Kyukyodo — Stationary supplies and wall hangings
Tsutaya — Books and home fragrances
MUJI — Home goods and packaged foods
In case you missed it …
