Most stores are open weekends and holidays except some specialty stores. In Japan, you need to pay 5% consumption tax in addition to the price (as of July 2011). Japanese department stores are fun places to shop. They carry many kinds of traditional Japanese goods as well as the latest fashions. Food floors in department stores are called "depachika" and are filled with world gourmet food and Japanese regional specialties. If you want to buy trendy apparels, try to catch a bargain during the sales season. Typical store sales are held biannually from late June through July and from late December through mid January.
There are many shopping districts in Tokyo.
(Tokyo Subway Ginza Station / JR Yurakucho Station)
It's a high-scale shopping district with lots of well-known department stores.
(Shinjuku Station)
It's a busy shopping with large discount electric shops, department stores and shopping malls.
(JR Harajuku Station / Tokyo Subway Meiji Jingu-mae / Omotesando Station)
Harajuku is a popular shopping area, especially for young people. Many shops which sell inexpensive fashion items are located in the Takeshitadori Street. High-scale stores are mainly located in Omotesando Street.
(JR or Tokyo Subway Shibuya Station)
It's a well-known, busy shopping and entertainment district.
(JR Akihabara Station)
It's known as Japan's electric town. There are hundred of shops that sell electronics. The prices are much lower than regular prices, and you can bargain too.
(JR Ueno Station / Okachimachi Station)
There are hundreds of small shops selling fish, vegetables, bags, shoes, watches, clothes, and lots more. If you shop here, you can save some money.
Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills are great shopping spots.
Many shopping malls are located in Odaiba.
