Department Stores Galore

Japan's modern fashion and electronics are well-known. Travel to Tokyo or Osaka and you will find more high-end shops than you could ever want to visit. A great way to one-stop shop for clothes and other goods is to visit one of the premier Japanese department stores.

General and Specialized Department Stores:
Not all department stores are created equal. Yodobashi Camera is well known for its multiple floors of electronics. Shibuya 109 is very popular for teenage woman's fashion containing floors of boutiques. There is a separate store for men nearby called 109Men's. If you are interested in home goods, Tokyu Hands has it all. For those looking for a little bit of everything, Tokyu's main chain of stores are great options.

Boutique inside a department store.

A view of the Shibuya Crossing.

Floors, Floors, and More Floors
Some of the larger department stores have over ten floors of shopping including restaurants. It is a good idea to look at a map by the stairs or elevator and scout which floors you want to visit. Each floor usually represents a different type of customer such as teen fashion, accessories, men's sportswear, children's apparel, etc. Top or bottom floors tend to have restaurants and shops selling various food products.

Duty Free:
A benefit to shopping in department stores is the easiness to declare duty free or tax free purchases. Take your purchases to a designated counter for reimbursement and special packing. The minimum purchase for a single transaction must be over ¥5,000 (about $50). For more specific information, there is a great duty-free explanation at the Official Kyoto City Travel Guide website.

Amazing Food:
Some of the best and reasonably priced restaurants are found at department stores and shopping centers. It is one of the best kept secrets that many tourists never learn. You can find multiple types of cuisine and styles of dining. Umegaoka Sushi No Midori Sohonten Shibuya is regarded as the best reasonably priced sushi in Shibuya, Tokyo. This restaurant is located on the fourth floor of the Tokyo Mark City East building. Finding it can be tricky, but well worth the effort. They have a takeout window if you cannot wait long for a table.

Hand roll with eel

One of the sushi sets available

​The location for ​ Umegaoka Sushi No Midori Sohonten Shibuya