The Coolest Areas for Shopping in Tokyo: From Vintage to Luxury

There are so many reasons to visit Tokyo and shopping is one of them. From the high-end department stores of Ginza to the funky counter-culture shops of Harajuku to the vintage boutiques of Shimokitazawa, Tokyo is a shopper's paradise. No matter what you're looking for or what your budget is, you'll find a shopping district in this metropolis that will beckon you.

If you're planning a trip to Japan's capital city, and you're wondering where to go shopping, this guide has got you covered. Whether you're looking to update your wardrobe, purchase traditional Japanese arts and crafts, or pick up a few vintage records and books, this guide will lead you in the right direction.

If you've travelled to Tokyo to shop for luxury goods, then you'll want to start your shopping spree in Ginza. Much like Fifth Avenue in New York, this is the city's most glitzy and glamorous shopping district, so expect to do some serious spending.

The main street of Chuo Dori is lined with high-end brands, including the flagship stores of Chanel and Louis Vuitton. This street is also home to Ginza's most historic and exclusive department stores, including Wako, Mitsukoshi (aka the "Harrods of Tokyo"), and Matsuya. If you're feeling peckish, the dining in all of these department stores is as much of a draw as the ritzy shops.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Chuo Dori is closed to traffic from noon until early evening, making this a lovely pedestrianised area to walk around and shop. Explore Chuo Dori's surrounding streets and you'll find luxurious boutiques and traditional artisan shops selling everything from lacquerware to ceramics. Not to mention the many Michelin-star sushi and kaiseki restaurants that are clustered around Chuo Dori.

Pro tip: If you're looking for an affordable place to stay in Ginza, ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza puts you right in the heart of all the action. You'll be a 10-minute walk from Chuo Dori and the Wako, Mitsukoshi, and Matsuya department stores. Or for a 5-star stay, Fairmont Tokyo offers luxury rooms and amenities and is an easy 10-minute drive to all the shopping in Ginza.

For some of the best shopping in Tokyo, make your way to the always bustling Shinjuku. From enormous department stores to massive underground malls, you can find pretty much anything when shopping in this part of town. And the best thing is, there's something for all budgets. That being said, this is one of the busiest districts in Tokyo, so expect to contend with crowds.

If you're after women's fashion-focused shops, head to Lumine EST, Lumine 1, and Lumine 2. For men's fashion, head over to Shinjuku's Isetan department store, where you'll find a whopping eight floors. Isetan has a whole separate building dedicated to its women's fashion.

Clothing aside, you can visit Keio Department Store for all manner of Japanese products, Bic Camera Shinjuku East Exit Store for Japanese electronics, Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store for books and manga, and Don Quijote Kabukicho for 24/7 discounted goods, just to name a few of the seemingly endless shopping options in Shinjuku.

Chances are you've heard of Harajuku and its famous Harajuku girls before. If not, this is Tokyo's fashion-forward counter-culture district, and the main alley of Takeshita Dori is kind of like the anti-Ginza. Instead of mainstream luxury shops, you'll find wild and crazy stores selling novelty products, Japanese streetwear, vintage clothing, punk paraphernalia, kawaii trinkets, and Gothic Lolita garb.

Even if this doesn't sound like your style, it's very much worth spending some time exploring Takeshita Dori just to do some people-watching and to see the trendsetting Harajuku girls and guys flaunt their latest looks.

Pro tip: Take some time to explore the mazelike alleyways surrounding Takeshita Dori, where you'll find all sorts of cool and funky vintage shops sans the massive crowds.

In contrast to the teen-focused indie shops along Takeshita Dori, you will find luxury boutiques in Harajuku too. While not quite as big as Ginza, Omotesando is another major hub for luxury shopping in Tokyo. Often referred to as the "Champs-Élysées of Tokyo," this is where you'll find flagship stores ranging from Issey Miyake to Hugo Boss.

For even more high-end shopping in the neighbourhood, the Omotesando Hills shopping mall boasts over 100 luxe shops and is an architectural marvel in its own right.

When it comes to vintage shopping in Tokyo, Shimokitazawa is the absolute coolest neighbourhood. With its beloved bohemian vibes, this is a popular spot for students, who flock here on weekends to find bargains on second-hand goods.

Not sure where to start your thrifting adventures? TreFacStyle, Chicago, Flamingo, and New York Joe Exchange are all popular vintage shops filled with carefully curated gems. Be sure to visit Shimokitazawa Garage Department too. This unique retail concept features roughly 20 small stalls selling vintage goods.

Second-hand clothing aside, bibliophiles will love browsing books at Tsutaya Bookstore, while vinyl enthusiasts can geek out at Flash Disc Ranch and Disk Union. And when you need a break from all that shopping, you'll find plenty of quirky cafés, trendy restaurants, indie theatres, and intimate live music venues hidden away in the serpentine streets of Shimokitazawa.

For even more thrifting, make the 20-minute journey from Shimokitazawa to Koenji. Because Koenji is less touristy, you'll find that the offerings here are a bit more offbeat and affordable compared to what you'll find in Shimokitazawa. But that's part of the appeal.

If you're not sure where to start, go to Whistler for American vintage clothes from the 1940s-60s. After that, try Slat for US military garb and discount denim, ANEMONE for vintage Burberry, Albatross for old band T-shirts, Unstitch for second-hand high-fashion, and Re'all for vintage leather shoes to band Ts and everything in between.

Vintage stores aside, Koenji offers entertainment galore. From independent livehouses and theatres to trendy cafés and restaurants to the annual Koenji Fest and Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori festivals, you never know what hidden gems you'll encounter when wandering around Koenji's narrow alleyways.

If you're on the prowl for souvenirs and traditional Japanese crafts to take back home, you'll want to spend some time exploring Asakusa. For shopping, one of the best things you can do in Asakusa is to stroll along the always-crowded Nakamise Shopping Street.

This pedestrianised alley stretches for 250 metres, leading you from the main gate to the main hall of the iconic 7th-century Senso-ji Temple. Along the way, you'll walk past over 80 shops selling everything from street food to traditional wares.

Some popular things to buy here are yukata (lightweight kimonos), Japanese swords and knives, painted lanterns, engraved woodblocks, wind chimes, chopsticks, and kokeshi dolls. There are plenty of traditional sweet treats too, including the intricate ningyo yaki (cakes stuffed with sweet bean paste), amezaiku (kind of like a "glass" candy sculpture), and yokan (a gelatinous confection made from red bean paste).

Pro tip: You'll find all sorts of cute shops selling traditional Japanese arts, crafts, and goods at much more affordable prices in the streets surrounding the touristy Nakamise Shopping Street.

The must-visit shopping districts in Tokyo for first-time visitors are Ginza for luxury and high-end malls and department stores, Shinjuku for a variety of options for all budgets, and Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa for souvenirs, tourist trinkets, and traditional Japanese goods.

The best area for high-end and luxury shopping in Tokyo is easily Ginza. This is where you'll find exclusive department stores like Wako, Mitsukoshi, and Matsuya, as well as the flagship locations of brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Omotesando is another excellent area for luxury shopping in Tokyo.

If you're wondering where to go to shop for fashion in Tokyo, it depends on what you're looking for. Go to Ginza and Omotesando for high-end fashion shops, Takeshita Dori in Harajuku for Gothic Lolita and Kawaii-inspired fashion, or Shimokitazawa and Koenji for vintage and second-hand clothing.

If you're looking for hidden gems and local markets for budget-friendly shopping in Tokyo, Koenji is known for its affordable vintage and second-hand shops. You'll also find plenty of hidden gems in Shimokitazawa, as well as in the alleyways surrounding Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. The shopping options in Shinjuku are vast and varied and often cater to younger, more budget-minded shoppers.