Tokyo Shopping Itinerary

Tokyo is one of the world’s best shopping cities. If you can’t find it in Tokyo, it probably doesn’t exist. If you’ve got just one day in the city, my Tokyo Shopping Itinerary is for you.

[ Ginza: Stockforlife / Shutterstock.com]

Tokyo Shopping Itinerary Summary

• One day is enough to sample the incredible shopping in Tokyo.
• If you’ve only got one day in the city, it’s crucial to base yourself somewhere central (see the notes below).
• This itinerary includes Ginza, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
• If you have two days to spend in Tokyo, see my 2-Day Tokyo Itinerary.

Full Itinerary

• 10:00am: Nihombashi
  Start your day at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihombashi, which is in the Tokyo Station Area. Be there just a few minutes before 10:00am to check out the incredible opening ceremony. Here is where you will get an insight into the heart of Japanese customer service. You can walk to this store from Tokyo Station. Alternatively, the store is close to Nihombashi Station on the Ginza subway line.
• 11:00am: Ginza
  Travel south from Nihombashi to Ginza, Tokyo’s oldest Western-style shopping district. Check out the huge shops and department stores along Chuo-dori and then peak into the various high-end boutiques on the smaller streets. You can walk from Nihombashi to Ginza if you feel energetic and the weather is nice. Otherwise, it’s just three stops south on the Ginza subway line.
• 1:00pm: Lunch in Ginza or Tokyo Station Area
  Eat lunch in Ginza. See my Ginza Places to Eat section for recommendations. See Try to hold off on eating lunch until 1:00pm because the restaurants in this area will be packed with office workers. Another good place for lunch is the Tokyo Station Area, see my Tokyo Station Area Places to Eat section for some recommendations.
• 2:00pm: Shibuya
  Travel to Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s trendy modern shopping areas, with a thick concentration of department stores and smaller shops.
• 4:00pm: Shinjuku
  Take the JR Yamanote Line three stops north from Shibuya to Shinjuku, another huge shopping district on Tokyo’s west side. My favorite place to shop here is the Takashimaya Times Square Complex. I love the Tokyu Hands store here, as well as Takashimaya itself. And, next door is my favorite bookstore in the city, Kinokuniya, which is reached by a pedestrian footbridge. If you feel like an early dinner, the 12F, 13F and 14F restaurant floors are really good and approachable places to eat, with all kinds of Japanese and foreign foods represented.
• Early Evening: Shinjuku
  If you’ve still got energy, take a stroll through the Shinjuku West Exit camera and electronics area to see all the shops with their incredible neon signs. This is pure Tokyo!

Notes

• If you’re only going to be in the city for one day, you should try to base yourself in a central location so you don’t waste time moving around. I’d suggest Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza or the Tokyo Station area. For more on where to say, check out my Where to Stay in Tokyo page.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Tokyo map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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