Where to Buy Souvenirs in Tokyo: Complete 2025 Shopping Guide by Area

Tokyo is a shopper's paradise, but when it comes to souvenirs, the sheer number of options can be paralyzing. Should you hit up the traditional shops in Asakusa? The department stores in Ginza? The trendy spots in Shibuya?

Here's the thing: the best shopping district depends entirely on what you're looking for and who you're buying for.

After years of helping travelers navigate Tokyo's retail maze, we've put together this comprehensive area-by-area guide. You'll know exactly where to go, what to buy, and how to avoid tourist traps.

Let's dive in.

Quick Overview: Tokyo's Best Souvenir Shopping Districts

Area	Best For	Price Range	Vibe
Asakusa	Traditional crafts, classic souvenirs	¥-¥¥¥	Historic, touristy
Ginza	Luxury gifts, premium sweets	¥¥¥-¥¥¥¥	Upscale, elegant
Shibuya	Pop culture, trendy items	¥-¥¥	Young, energetic
Shinjuku	Everything, convenience	¥-¥¥¥	Busy, diverse
Tokyo Station	Food souvenirs, last-minute shopping	¥¥-¥¥¥	Convenient, crowded
Harajuku	Kawaii culture, fashion accessories	¥-¥¥	Quirky, colorful
Akihabara	Anime, electronics, otaku goods	¥-¥¥¥	Nerdy, exciting
Ueno	Art supplies, traditional goods	¥-¥¥	Cultural, relaxed

Asakusa: The Heart of Traditional Tokyo

If you only have time for one souvenir shopping destination, make it Asakusa. This historic district surrounding Sensoji Temple offers the most authentic Tokyo shopping experience.

Nakamise-dori Street

The 250-meter shopping street leading to Sensoji Temple has been selling souvenirs for over 200 years. Here you'll find:

Traditional Items:

Sensu (folding fans) - ¥500-3,000
Tenugui (hand towels) - ¥500-1,500
Yukata (casual kimono) - ¥3,000-10,000
Japanese umbrellas - ¥1,000-5,000
Daruma dolls - ¥500-2,000

Food & Snacks:

Ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped cakes) - Fresh and warm
Kaminari-okoshi (thunder crackers) - Asakusa's signature sweet
Fresh senbei (rice crackers) - Made before your eyes

Pro Tips for Nakamise:

Arrive early (before 10am) to avoid crowds
Side streets often have better prices for same items
Bargaining isn't common, but asking for discounts on multiple items is acceptable

Denpoin-dori and Side Streets

Venture off the main drag for better deals and more authentic finds:

Kaneso (金粂) - Traditional Japanese household goods like furoshiki wrapping cloths and wooden kitchen items

Fujiya (藤屋) - Specializes in traditional toys and folk crafts from across Japan

Yonoya Kushiho (よのや櫛舗) - Beautiful handmade boxwood combs, a Japanese beauty tradition dating back centuries

Kappabashi Kitchen Street (合羽橋道具街)

A 10-minute walk from Sensoji, this "Kitchen Town" street is paradise for food lovers:

Japanese knives - World-renowned quality, ¥3,000-50,000+
Plastic food samples - Surprisingly affordable and uniquely Japanese
Ceramic tableware - From everyday to artisan quality
Bento boxes - Traditional lacquerware to modern designs
Cooking utensils - Tamagoyaki pans, bamboo steamers, chopsticks

Must-Visit Shops:

Kama-Asa (釜浅商店) - Premium knives since 1908
Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya - Make your own plastic food replica

Marugoto Nippon (まるごとにっぽん)

This four-story mall showcases products from all 47 Japanese prefectures:

1F: Supermarket with regional food specialties
2F: Lifestyle goods and traditional crafts
3F: Restaurants featuring regional cuisine
4F: Event space

It's essentially a one-stop shop for Japan's best regional products without leaving Tokyo.

Ginza: For Premium and Luxury Gifts

When you need to impress—whether it's a boss, important client, or special someone—Ginza delivers.

Department Store Basements (Depachika)

Japanese department store basement floors are legendary for high-end food gifts:

Mitsukoshi Ginza

Established 1904, the epitome of Japanese retail
Excellent selection of wagashi (Japanese sweets)
Famous brand sweets with Ginza-exclusive packaging
Tax-free counter for tourists

Matsuya Ginza

Strong selection of Western-style confections
Beautiful packaging for corporate gifts
Rooftop shrine adds cultural charm

Wako

The iconic building with the clock tower
Ultra-premium gifts and accessories
Their chocolate and sweets are gift-giving standards

Specialty Shops in Ginza

Ginza Itoya (銀座・伊東屋) - Stationery heaven

12 floors of pens, paper, and office supplies
Japanese washi paper products
Fountain pens from Japanese makers
Custom stamp making

Kyukyodo (鳩居堂) - Incense and paper goods

Traditional incense since 1663
Calligraphy supplies
Washi paper and envelopes
Seasonal greeting cards

Ginza Natsuno (銀座夏野) - Chopsticks specialist

Over 2,500 varieties of chopsticks
Free personalized engraving (Japanese/English)
Beautiful gift sets

Shiseido Ginza - Flagship beauty experience

Exclusive products only available here
Personalized consultations
Japanese beauty heritage since 1872

What to Buy in Ginza

Category	Price Range	Best Shops
Premium sweets	¥1,500-5,000	Department store depachika
Stationery	¥500-10,000	Itoya
Incense	¥1,000-5,000	Kyukyodo
Chopsticks	¥1,000-5,000	Natsuno
Beauty	¥2,000-20,000	Shiseido, Clé de Peau

Shibuya: Pop Culture and Trendy Finds

Shibuya is Tokyo's youth culture capital. Come here for contemporary Japanese goods and pop culture souvenirs.

Shibuya 109 Area

Loft Shibuya Seven floors of lifestyle goods:

Stationery floor - Incredible washi tape selection
Beauty floor - Japanese cosmetics and skincare
Travel goods - Unique Japanese travel accessories
Character goods - Sanrio, anime collaborations

Tokyu Hands (Now called "Hands") The ultimate DIY and lifestyle store:

Japanese craft supplies
Unique household gadgets
Travel accessories
Gift wrapping supplies

Shibuya Scramble Square

The newest shopping complex at Shibuya Station:

Shibuya Sky observation deck souvenirs
Trendy Japanese fashion brands
Food hall with regional specialties
Tax-free shopping available

Miyashita Park

Revamped park with rooftop shopping:

Street fashion brands
Urban lifestyle goods
Less touristy atmosphere
Good for younger recipients

What Makes Shibuya Unique

Shibuya Honey - Local honey produced by rooftop bees
T-shirts - Shibuya-exclusive designs from Japanese brands
Street fashion - Authentic Japanese streetwear
Record shops - Vinyl and CDs you won't find elsewhere

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Tokyo Station: Last-Minute Shopping Done Right

Tokyo Station's underground shopping complex is massive—and perfect for picking up gifts before catching the Shinkansen or heading to the airport.

Tokyo Character Street

Located in the First Avenue underground area:

Official stores for Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, Sanrio, and more
Tokyo-exclusive merchandise only available here
Limited edition items that change seasonally

Tokyo Ramen Street

Not souvenirs per se, but dried ramen and ramen-related goods make great gifts.

Gransta Tokyo

Premium food souvenir shopping:

Tokyo Banana - The iconic must-buy
Seasonal limited editions - Always something new
Bento for your journey

HANAGATAYA Tokyo

Located outside the Yaesu ticket gate:

Curated selection of Tokyo's best souvenirs
Less crowded than Gransta
Excellent for time-pressed shoppers

Tokyo Station Itself

The renovated Marunouchi building is beautiful and offers:

Tokyo Station limited goods - Station-themed souvenirs
Suica penguin merchandise - IC card mascot goods
Historic building merchandise - Architectural-themed items

Harajuku: Kawaii Culture Central

For quirky, colorful, and uniquely Japanese finds, Harajuku delivers.

Takeshita Street

The famous pedestrian shopping street:

Crepe shops (experience, not souvenir)
Kawaii accessories - ¥100-1,000
Character goods - Every cute mascot imaginable
Purikura stickers - Photo booth souvenirs

Kiddy Land Harajuku

Four floors of character merchandise:

Sanrio - Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll
Disney - Japan-exclusive items
Snoopy - Surprisingly popular in Japan
Rilakkuma - Kawaii bear merchandise

Daiso Harajuku

The most famous 100-yen shop:

Japanese kitchenware - ¥100 each
Stationery - Surprisingly good quality
Beauty tools - Excellent value
Seasonal items - Constantly changing

Pro tip: The Harajuku Daiso is larger than most, but all items are still ¥100 (plus tax).

Cat Street

Parallel to Takeshita, but less crowded:

Vintage clothing shops
Independent Japanese designers
Art galleries with prints
More sophisticated aesthetic

Akihabara: Otaku Paradise

For anime, manga, gaming, and electronics, nowhere beats "Akiba."

Anime and Manga

Animate - Multi-floor anime merchandise Mandarake - Vintage manga and collectibles Radio Kaikan - Building full of specialty shops

Electronics

Yodobashi Camera Akiba - 9 floors of electronics

Tax-free shopping
English-speaking staff
Latest Japanese tech

Laox - Duty-free specialist

Caters specifically to tourists
Wide voltage electronics
Chinese/English support

Gaming

Super Potato - Retro video games

Famicom, Super Famicom, N64
Working consoles and games
Gaming memorabilia

Unique Akihabara Finds

Capsule toys (Gachapon) - ¥100-500 machines everywhere
Idol merchandise - AKB48 and more
Trading cards - Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh
Doujinshi - Fan-made comics

Shinjuku: When You Need Everything

Shinjuku offers the most comprehensive shopping in one area.

Department Stores

Isetan Shinjuku - Fashion and luxury

Incredible depachika basement
Art exhibitions
Exclusive collaborations

Takashimaya Times Square - Comprehensive shopping

Tokyu Hands inside
Less crowded than Isetan
Great food floor

Discount Shopping

Don Quijote Shinjuku

Open until 5am
Tax-free shopping
Overwhelming but comprehensive
Snacks, cosmetics, electronics, everything

Bicqlo (Bic Camera + Uniqlo hybrid)

Electronics on upper floors
Uniqlo on lower floors
Tax-free available

Kabukicho Area

Not traditionally a shopping district, but:

24-hour convenience stores with late-night snack runs
Robot Restaurant merchandise (kitschy souvenirs)
Godzilla Head building photo ops

Ueno: Culture and Crafts

Near the famous park and museums, Ueno offers a more relaxed shopping experience.

Ameyoko Market

Lively market street with:

Dried foods and snacks - Great prices
Military surplus - Unique finds
Fresh seafood - Not for souvenirs, but experiential
Cosmetics - Discount stores

Ueno Station

Ecute Ueno - Station shopping complex with:

Panda-themed everything (Ueno Zoo connection)
Regional food souvenirs
Art museum gift shops nearby

Traditional Crafts

Several shops specialize in Edo-era crafts:

Kumade (decorative rakes) - Good luck charms
Edo Kiriko - Cut glass
Traditional toys - Kokeshi dolls

Practical Shopping Tips for Tokyo

Tax-Free Shopping

Tourists can get 10% consumption tax refunded on purchases over ¥5,000:

Bring your passport
Look for "Tax-Free" signs
Some stores require minimum per transaction
Keep receipts attached to passport until departure

Payment Methods

Cash - Still king in Japan, especially smaller shops
Credit cards - Accepted at most major stores
IC Cards (Suica/Pasmo) - Convenient for small purchases
QR payments - PayPay increasingly accepted

Hours

Department stores: 10:00-20:00
Don Quijote: Many 24 hours
Convenience stores: 24 hours
Small shops: Often closed Wednesdays

Delivery Services

For larger purchases:

Yamato (Kuroneko) - Reliable nationwide delivery
Hotel delivery - Many shops offer this
Airport delivery - Send to Narita/Haneda for pickup

Create Your Perfect Shopping Route

Half-Day Traditional Route

Morning: Asakusa (Nakamise + Kappabashi) Lunch: Asakusa traditional restaurant Early afternoon: Tokyo Station for food souvenirs

Half-Day Modern Route

Morning: Shibuya (Loft, Hands) Lunch: Shibuya food hall Afternoon: Harajuku (Takeshita, Kiddy Land)

Full-Day Comprehensive Route

Morning: Asakusa traditional shopping Midday: Ueno Ameyoko for snacks Afternoon: Ginza for premium gifts Evening: Shinjuku Don Quijote (open late)

Summary: Where to Buy What

Item Type	Best District	Best Shops
Traditional crafts	Asakusa	Nakamise, side streets
Premium gifts	Ginza	Mitsukoshi, Wako
Trendy items	Shibuya	Loft, Hands
Anime goods	Akihabara	Animate, Mandarake
Kawaii	Harajuku	Kiddy Land, Takeshita
Food souvenirs	Tokyo Station	Gransta, Character Street
Budget everything	Shinjuku	Don Quijote
Kitchen items	Asakusa	Kappabashi
Stationery	Ginza	Itoya
Beauty	Ginza/Shibuya	Shiseido, Loft

Tokyo has something for every taste and budget. The key is matching your shopping destination to your needs—and leaving enough time to explore.

Happy shopping! 🛍️

Explore More Tokyo Shopping Guides

Guide	What You'll Find
Best Japanese Snacks Guide	25 must-buy food souvenirs
Budget Gifts Under $20	Affordable options everywhere
Airport Shopping Guide	Last-minute options
Japan Souvenirs Finder	AI gift recommendations

Last updated: January 2025