It’s no exaggeration to say that Japan is a shopper’s paradise.
With everything from state-of-the-art electronics to hand-made crafts with generations of history behind them, everything you buy has a tale to tell. Here, I present 17 of the very best items you can shop for, all Japan-exclusive.
To navigate effortlessly between stores and share your shopping finds, bring an iRoamly Japan travel eSIM for fast, reliable connectivity throughout your trip. Now, let's get started!
1. Electronics
Why You’ll Love It: Japan is a haven for tech heads, with plenty of futuristic tech and a wealth of high-quality electronics from cameras to games consoles – often with features that are only available in the country at the moment.
Recommended Products:
Sony headphones - Celebrated for its high-quality sound and elegant design.
Fujifilm cameras - A great destination for travelers, which has some great compact and instant film cameras like the Instax series.
Sharp electronic devices - Both innovative and functional describes their cutting-edge home appliances.
Nintendo Switch – The iconic gaming console, often with Japan-exclusive game titles or limited-edition designs.
Where to Shop: Akihabara, or “Electric Town”, in Tokyo is the mecca of all things electronic, be it the latest DSLRs, consoles, or quirky home gizmos. Major retailers such as Yodobashi Camera, or Bic Camera are a techie’s paradise.
Budget: Prices vary massively – you may get away with small gadgets and accessories starting around ¥5,000, but be prepared to shell out over ¥100,000 for higher-end items such as professional cameras or the newest generation of consoles.
Shopping Tips: Japanese power runs at 100v – make sure your new toy will work back home. For larger savings, items can often be purchased tax-free, with a receipt held at the store until departure, and a refund claimed at a special airport counter.
2. Anime and Manga Merchandise
Why You’ll Love It: Love anime and manga? Fans and collectors will find almost any and everything they could ever want related to Japanese comics and animation.
Recommended Products:
Figures & Statues - High quality figurines of beloved characters from your favorite series including Naruto, Attack on Titan, and One Piece.
Plushies - Cute cuddly toys from Studio Ghibli and other famous anime of our times.
Cosplay costumes - Exact and authentic costumes for fans of anime cosplay.
Where to Shop: Try Nakano Broadway in Tokyo or Akihabara, where you’ll find multi-floor complexes dedicated to anime and manga, packed with everything from vintage comics to the latest figures.
Budget: There are items starting as low as ¥200, and rare, high-end collectibles can fetch ¥20,000 or more.
Shopping Tips: Looking for something really special? Keep an eye for limited edition goods or event-specific merchandise, often available at trade shows like Comiket, or in dedicated stores.
3. Beauty Products
Why You’ll Love It: Japanese products are often highly innovative and feature impressive attention to detail. Ingredients and technology are frequently developed to increase effectiveness and make the products more enjoyable to use.
Top Brands:
Shiseido: One of Japan’s oldest cosmetics companies, offering skincare, make-up, and sun care lines.
SK-II: Pioneering the bestseller Facial Treatment Essence with Pitera, a yeast extract claiming anti-aging properties.
Biore: Best known for effective yet gentle cleansers and sunscreens.
DHC: Famed for its deep cleansing oil and a wider selection of natural skincare, all based on organic olive oil.
Kanebo: The brand offers make-up alongside its skincare, with a line aimed at total beauty care.
Kose: Offers high-quality skincare lines and groundbreaking cosmetics.
Hada Labo: Skin care brand with its popular “Gokujyun” line for super-hydrating with hyaluronic acid.
Canmake: A loved-by-all brand that won’t break the bank for make-up.
Budget: Whether you’re buying sub-¥1,000 gems from a high street cosmetics store or splurging on ¥10,000+ designer make-up, there are products to fit all budgets.
Shopping Tips: Try visiting stores in Tokyo's Ginza or Umeda in Osaka for demonstrations of products, and often free samples. Japan has tax-free shopping – show your passport and ask for a refund at specific counters.
4. Fashion and Clothing
Why You’ll Love It: Fashion in Japan is versatile, blending tradition with street styles that are both trendy and comfortable. If you're unsure about what to wear in Japan, shopping there offers plenty of options to help you find the perfect look!
Recommended Products:
Uniqlo - Inexpensive but fashionable staples, including the famous HEATTECH and collaborations.
Comme des Garçons - High-end and avant-garde clothing by one of Japan's most well-known fashion designers.
Vintage Kimonos - Classic with a modern twist; timeless elegance.
Where to Shop: While the backstreets of Harajuku offer edgier clothing, and the thrift shops of Shimokitazawa are a fashion hotspot, denim aficionados would do no wrong by visiting the mills of Okayama.
Budget: With prices varying so drastically between a ¥3,000 piece and designer brands with prices topping ¥50,000, there really is something for every price point.
Shopping Tips: Sizes in Japan don’t necessarily translate to sizes in the west, so making use of the fitting rooms is crucial when trying on clothes.
5. Traditional Crafts
Why You’ll Love It: Interest in traditional Japanese crafts isn't just about the beauty of it - but it is beautiful. It's about the handmade skill and cultural inheritance of generations of craftsmen.
Recommended Products:
Kintsugi pottery - Gorgeous pieces of pottery that can be repaired by filling in cracks of gold.
Furoshiki - Square piece of cloth for wrapping packages, with attractive patterns and cultural significance.
Netsuke - Small carved sculptures placed on kimono sashes such as Ojime beads.
Budget: Smaller items can cost as little as ¥2,000, with larger items setting you back potentially ¥100,000 or more, depending on craftsmanship.
Shopping Tips: Visit craft studios to see artisans at work. It will give you a greater appreciation for the crafts themselves and the people who make them.
DON'T FORGET: What You Can't Bring Back to Your Country
Don't sabotage your declaration form. Some items - like fresh fruit, or some medications - are restricted or forbidden to bring into your home country. Make sure you know what you can and can't bring in, before you buy.
6. Stationery
Why You’ll Love It: There’s a reason Japanese stationery has its own reputation – it’s phenomenally well-made. Often that’s mixed with beautiful design as well, with everything from pens to paper featuring a combination of the classic and the modern.
Recommended Products:
Midori Traveler's Notebook - A versatile journal that travelers and writers adore.
Uni-ball Jetstream pens - Famous for how smooth they write.
Washi tape - Patterned, decorative tapes that are great for scrapbooking or implementing into your DIY crafts.
Where to Shop: Visit Itoya in Tokyo or Kyukyodo in Kyoto to pick up new stationery, with bargains and collectables for both casual shoppers or the hardcore stationery lover.
Budget: A perfectly serviceable pen can be ¥300 or less, but expect to pay ¥10,000 or more for more luxurious or artist-designed pieces.
Shopping Tips: Many stationary stores have test facilities for their pens and paper so you can perfect your set up. Also, shop for seasonal items to make cinematic moments for yourself.
7. Snacks and Sweets
Why You’ll Love It: Japanese snacks and sweets aren’t just indulgences; they’re an explosion of taste and craft. Whether regional flavors or seasonal delights, each incandescent morsel provides a window into the local culture.
Recommended Products:
Kit-Kat (regional flavors) - Taste exclusive matcha, sweet potato, and sake Kit-Kat flavours found only in Japan.
Pocky - Tasty biscuit sticks with coatings of various flavors, such as strawberry, matcha, and chocolate.
Mochi - Soft, chewy rice dough filled with sweet red bean paste or ice cream.
Where to Shop: Any convenience store, supermarket, or dedicated snack store in the likes of Tokyo or Osaka. For an even greater range, department stores—specifically their food halls—offer a vast selection.
Budget: Inexpensive, generally, with prices from ¥100 for single items up to ¥2,000 or thereabouts for elaborately boxed gifts.
Shopping Tips: Keep an eye out for seasonal or limited time flavors, such as sakura cherry blossom in Spring or satsuma sweet potato in Autumn – they also make good omiyage (see below).
8. Tea and Sake
Why You’ll Love It: Tea and sake are two of the cornerstones of Japanese culture, each with their own histories and rituals. They range from the industrially produced to the rare and craft, with each variety having its own story of place and taste.
Recommended Products:
Matcha - Green tea powder from Kyoto used for making fresh and traditional Japanesse tea
Sencha - Varieties of the best quality loose leaf green tea.
Sake - At specialty sake shops, you can find premium sake (Daiginjo or Ginjo).
Where to Shop: Tea shops, especially those in historic tea town Uji near Kyoto. For sake, consider visiting a brewery for tours and tastings. In Tokyo, Hasegawa Saketen has a rich selection of sake.
Budget: Tea will usually set you back anywhere between ¥1,000 and upwards of ¥10,000, while sake can range from ¥1,000 to sky high prices for rare aged bottles.
Shopping Tips: Seek out places that offer tastings to find what you like. Just be mindful of the drinking age in Japan if you're sampling sake, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
9. Kitchenware
Why You’ll Love It: Japanese kitchenware delights in both utility and form, whether the creative impetus behind a hand-forged knife or the delicate elegance of ceramics. The right tools can not only enhance your cooking experience, but they can legitimately make your food look better, too.
Recommended Products:
Knives (Global, Shun) - Known all over the world for their sharpness and quality.
Cast Iron Teapots (Tetsubin) - Great for brewing tea, classic, and long-lasting.
Japanese Ceramics - Handcrafted pottery with intricate designs, from bowls to tea cups.
Chopsticks – Traditional, high-quality wooden chopsticks, often beautifully crafted and decorated.
Where to Shop: Kappabashi Street in Tokyo is the kitchenware homebase, where you’ll literally find everything from professional cookware to kitschy gadgets.
Budget: Expect to pay anywhere between ¥500 for a tool or object up to ¥50,000 or more for a custom pot or artisanal knives.
Shopping Tips: For knives, check whether stores provide engraving or sharpening services, and decide what the knife’s purpose is – different styles for different tasks, after all.
10. Toys
Why You’ll Love It: Japanese toys are as likely to be cutting edge as they are fun, often blending classic designs with modern technology. Great for kids and collectors.
Recommended Products:
LEGO Sets (Limited Edition) - Japan typically has a few LEGO sets available only in Japan, with some celebrating Japanese culture.
Plarail Trains - Classic Japanese toy; intricate train sets.
Kendama - A traditional Japanese toy designed to work hand-eye coordination; normally beautifully carved from wood.
Where To Buy: You can find electronic toys in Akihabara, and more traditional toys in areas such as Asakusa or craft markets.
Price: Prices range depending on type of toy and complexity.
Shopping Tips: Seek out the smaller stores that stock more unique items you may not find elsewhere and remember some toy stores have display areas where you can, quite literally, try before you buy.
11. Art
Why You’ll Love It: From ancient techniques to avant-garde contemporary artists, Japanese art remains timeless. Purchasing a piece here gives you a chance to own part of cultural history.
Recommended Products:
Ukiyo-e Prints - Japanese woodcut art that usually shows landscapes, actors from Kabuki theatre or beautiful women.
Contemporary Art from Roppongi Hills - Works by select Japanese and international artists.
Origami Art - Complex and colorful paper art that shows off Japanese skill.
Where To Buy: Head to art districts like Nakameguro in Tokyo or local art fairs all over Japan. Small galleries and art markets also yield one-of-a-kind pieces.
Price: Original prints and smaller pieces can be picked up for around ¥5,000, while larger or more famous works can cost upward of ¥100,000.
Shopping Tips: Take in exhibitions and art shows for a fuller understanding of what's available and to better connect with the piece you're buying.
12. Music
Why You’ll Love It: Japan's music scene is vast, embracing everything from traditional min'yō folk music to J-Pop. Records of local bands or copies of traditional instruments can make for memorable mementoes of your trip.
Recommended Products:
J-Pop Vinyl Records - Find local music, out-of-print and rare recordings.
Karaoke equipment - Japan is the home of karaoke, so the best karaoke machines and accessories can be found here.
Shamisen - A traditional Japanese instrument with a perform sound makes it perfect for music lovers.
Where To Buy: Shibuya and Shinjuku in Tokyo are famed for their independent music stores crammed with new and second-hand vinyl.
Price: It can be as little as ¥1,000 for a CD, or anywhere from ¥5,000 and up for a cherished vinyl record or an obscure release.
Shopping Tips: Gigs are an institution in Japan – not to mention a lot of fun – and a great way to discover new artists and bands. Often artists will sell copies of their work direct to the audience, too.
13. Sports Equipment
Why You’ll Love It: Years of martial arts tradition, coupled with modern athletes' influence, make Japan a great spot to pick up sports gear.
Recommended Products:
Baseball Gloves - Known for high quality craftsmanship, often used by professionals.
Martial Arts Gear - High-quality gi (karate uniforms), boxing gloves, and other traditional martial arts equipment.
Tennis Rackets (Yonex) - High-performance rackets that provide accuracy and performance.
Where To Buy: Check out specialist stores in Tokyo and Kyoto, catering to martial arts fans. Most disciplines will have dedicated stores stocking everything from judo gis to kendo swords, and even sumo apparel.
Price: Entry level martial arts gear can begin at ¥3,000. High-end or custom pieces can run over ¥30,000.
Shopping Tips: Head to a local sports event or even a practice session. Athletes will likely use the gear you’re shopping for and you can ask them for advice on the best brand or make for your needs.
14. Jewelry
Why You'll Love It: Japanese jewelers often bring together traditional influences with modern stylings to create pieces that feel deeply cultural, yet ultra-contemporary.
Recommended Products:
Pearl Jewelry - Japan produces some of the world’s most respected cultured pearls in a range of types.
Kintsugi-inspired Jewelry - Art pieces that include Kintsugi (golden repair) art.
Yokohama Silver - High quality silver jewellery with modern, distinctive design.
Where to Shop: Places like the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo or Kanazawa (famous for its gold leaf work); stores run by independent jewelers in these neighborhoods showcase handmade, one-of-a-kind designs.
Price: Budget from around ¥10,000 for nice items, but you can also find close to bespoke designs in the hundreds of thousands.
Shopping Tips: Most jewelers will gladly offer customized pieces, whether changing a design for you or even engraving messages, turning them into true mementos or gifts.
15. Furniture
Why You'll Love It: Japanese furniture is renowned for both minimalist stylings and, for quality pieces, exceptional craftsmanship, creating functional art pieces.
Recommended Products:
Tatami Mats - A calming, natural aesthetic that is found in traditional Japanese floor mats.
Japanese-Style Tea Tables - Tables low enough to sit on the floor or cushions. Ideal for tea parties and lounging.
Lacquerware Furniture - Custom furniture designed with a classic taste of Japanese lacquerware that is elegant yet enduring.
Where to Shop: Traditional furniture shops in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, or even smaller towns offer wares crafted using techniques passed down the ages. For more modern designs, check out stores in Tokyo’s design districts such as Aoyama and Harajuku.
Price: Smaller pieces, like a wooden stool or shelf, can be yours from ¥15,000, but a beautiful handmade table or chair may be upward of ¥100,000.
Shopping Tips: Much furniture is large, so consider shipping for bigger buys – many such stores are used to selling to overseas customers and are able to organize safely shipping your purchases back home.
16. Japanese Mascots (Yuru-chara)
Why You’ll Love It: Cute, odd and bursting with character, Japanese mascots are surely the most entertaining way to get a glimpse of a region’s local culture and grab a Japan souvenir.
Recommended Products:
Kumamon - Kumamoto Prefecture's popular bear mascot; one of the most famous of Japan's many mascots, he's known for his endearing smile.
Hikonyan - Hikone City's samurai-based mascot is easy to spot in his helmet and sword.
Funassyi - The active and mischievous pear character of Funabashi City.
Chiitan - The mischievous, yet cute chaos-making Otter mascot of Susaki City.
Sento-kun - Nara Prefecture's deer mascot, designed with a mischievous expression, represents the spirit of the city's beloved deer.
Where to Buy: Local souviner shops, character shops like Kiddy Land, or online at Rakuten or Amazon Japan.
Price: Small items like keychains may be around ¥300-¥800, plush toys and special items can cost ¥1,000-¥5,000+.
Shopping Tips: Look for regional exclusives and limited-edition items to take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir of the area.
17. Niche Unique Souvenirs
Why You’ll Love It: These items are unique and authentic to Japan’s traditional and modern culture, which makes them great souvenirs.
Recommended Products:
Nail Clippers - Practical and unique souvenirs, these are a fun way to show appreciation for teachers.
Glasses - Trendy and quality eyewear, also by popular Japanese brands.
Umbrellas - Many are small, reliable, and have unusual designs making them ideal for travelers.
Hand-painted Ceramic Mask - beautifully hand-painted or lacquered, and some masks were designed by famous artists.
Where To Buy: Specialty shops in Asakusa, markets near Sensoji temple, small stores run by families.
Price: From ¥500 to ¥2,000 for small items such as nail clippers or umbrellas, but for something like a hand-painted mask or high-end glasses, expect to pay ¥5,000 or more.
Shopping Tips: Find a well-crafted item at a good store, especially when looking for nail clippers and eyeglasses. When looking at traditional masks, don’t be afraid to ask what they mean.
FAQ
1. What are some popular shopping destinations in Japan?
Tokyo: Shibuya, Harajuku, Ginza, Akihabara
Osaka: Shinsaibashi, Namba
Kyoto: Gion
Sapporo: Tanukikoji Shopping Street
2. Why are there two prices in Japan?
Japanese shops usually show prices with and without tax; only the tax-inclusive price is what you’ll have to pay.
3. Can I haggle over prices in Japanese stores?
In Japan it is not common to bargain for goods and prices in stores.
4. What items are tax-free in Japan?
You can shop tax free on a variety of items, from electronics to clothes and souvenirs when you purchase them at a designated tax free shop.
5. How much can you bring back from Japan?
This varies by country; in most cases you’re able to import an amount of goods up to a certain value without incurring additional duty fees. Check with your national customs office for measuring specifics.
6. What payment methods are accepted in Japanese stores?
Cash (yen), major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, JCB), Suica or PASMO cards, and some mobile payments are standard.
The Bottom Line
Whether you're in the market for essential keepsakes, incredible handiwork, or state-of-the-art gadgetry, no other destination on Earth offers a shopping experience quite like Japan.
Each item is imbued with its own character and a narrative that will resonate long after your trip has ended. Fill your suitcase and prepare to get lost in a shopper's paradise – you'll simply be struck by the variety that Japan's shopping scene has to offer.
Shop safely, and enjoy the rest of your visit!