Shopping in Japan: department stores, electronics, 100-yen shops and buying shoes

Shopping in Japan is half the fun of the trip for us. Here's what I learned across three visits, with the reviews I wrote at the time.

Department stores: Isetan and Takashimaya

Isetan Shinjuku is the department store I'd send anyone to first. My review starts: "Extremely helpful staff. There is a great selection of high end products and wares available for purchase here." I'm the kind of traveler who would rather bring home a few really good things than a bag of cheap ones, and Isetan is built for that.

In Osaka, Takashimaya Namba is similar. Prices can be eye-watering, but the basement food floors are where the good finds are (see my Osaka guide).

• Department stores have restrooms, elevators and seating on almost every floor. That alone makes them good places to rest on a long shopping day.
• Look for a tax-free or foreign-customer counter; staff there often speak English.

Electronics and everything: BicCamera and Don Quijote

BicCamera in Shinjuku: "I bought a few things here. There are enough uniquely Japanese items here to make a stop worth it. Even just for window shopping." It's far more than cameras: there are appliances, gadgets and toys.

Don Quijote (Namba, and everywhere else) is chaotic, crowded and open late. Go for snacks, cosmetics and things you didn't know existed. Not a calm experience, but a memorable one.

100-yen shops: Daiso

"If you are needing something for a good price, come here! Great place to buy many affordable souvenir." Daiso is also where we'd replace anything we forgot: umbrellas, slippers, chopsticks, storage bags.

Art supplies and crafts

• Sekaido in Shinjuku is a huge art supply store. "If you're a tourist like me, I recomend checking out their drawing reference books. Also, they have great pencils."
• Bingoya in Wakamatsucho sells folk crafts. "Great wares in here though, fine craftsmanship." See my etiquette guide for what I wrote about language there.

Buying shoes in Japan

On our winter 2019 trip, I needed new shoes and bought them at two stores in the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza mall in Odaiba. At Super Sports Xebio, "A friendly worker who spoke English helped us out." At ABC-Mart Grand Stage, "one spoke perfect English and was very helpful."

• Japanese shoe sizes are in centimeters (foot length), not US or UK sizes. Measure your foot at home and bring the number.
• Large sizes can be limited in some stores. Big sports chains and malls are a better bet.
• If your feet swell on long days, try shoes on in the afternoon.

Tax-free shopping changes on November 1, 2026

Until now, tourists showed a passport and paid tax-free at the register. From November 1, 2026, Japan switches to a refund system:

• You pay the full price, including consumption tax, at the store.
• Purchases of 5,000 yen or more (before tax) at one store in one day qualify. Register a refund method at the shop.
• When you leave Japan, within 90 days of buying, scan your passport at a tax-free kiosk at the airport before you check your bags. A green result means you're done; a red one means customs wants to see the items.
• Keep everything from each receipt together and unused. If one item from a receipt is missing, none of that receipt qualifies.

The Japan Tourism Agency's FAQ and Japan Customs have the official details.

The kit for this guide

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Shopping & souvenirs

Vegan Leather Zip Coin Purse

Japan still runs on coins: 100-yen and 500-yen pieces pile up fast from vending machines, lockers, shrine offerings and small shops. A separate zip pouch keeps them out of your pockets and makes paying at a counter quicker.

Check price on Amazon →Details

Also in this guide

• Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
• 65L Foldable Travel Duffel Bag

Opening hours, routes and rules change; check before you go.