Souvenirs (Non-food)
You spent a couple weeks in Tokyo and blew all your time and money on yourself. Now, with a light pocket and even less time, you've got to grab some gifts for family and friends.
Not to worry, we've got you covered. This list was culled with you in mind.
The ranking emphasizes cost performance (bang for buck), time performance (how much can I get in how little time), and variety (how many options do I have).
It's based a very comprehensive review of souvenir shops in downtown Tokyo, our visits, and some insight on hard-to-find places that locals shop at when they buy gifts for overseas friends and colleagues.
Don Quijote Shibuya
97.40
- Google Maps
- Website
- Shibuya Station, Yamanote Line, Hachiko Exit (2-minute walk)
Like scuba diving, it's best to go in with a buddy so you can make sure you find your way out again.
Don Quijote is a maze of aisles bursting with an eclectic blend of goods. If you can't find it here, they probably don't make it. Prices are reasonable, but don't expect a ton of bargains.
The only drawback is the lack of traditional Japanese items. It's a pop culture mart with a pulse on the fads.
+VARIETY
+24 hours
+Location
-Limited selection of traditional Japanese gifts
=Great to wander around and pick out something small for everyone.
Hakuhinkan Toy Park
95.14
- Google Maps
- Website
- JR Shimbashi Station, Yamanote Line, Exit 1 (6-minute walk)
Hakuhinkan in Ginza is a kids' paradise, with more than 20,000 items on four floors. Most of these are toys, but there is a good selection of collectibles and novelty goods that will bring out the kid in any adult. The kids animation selection (Hello Kitty, etc.) is unbeatable.
Many of the more common games/toys can be found at Don Quijote.
+Huge selection, from toys to anime goods
+Easy access
-Little pricey
=For the biggest selection of toys, there's no other option.
UNIQLO
- Google Maps
- Website
- Tokyo Metro Ginza Station, Ginza Line, Exit A2 (5-minute walk)
The 11th floor of the main Uniqlo Ginza store is all about t-shirts., many of them limited/special edition products.
On the other floors, there are a nice selection of items, but nothing you can't get at home in a chain clothing store.
+Wide range of men/women clothing
+Select t-shirts
+Easy access
-Generic
=If you're in the neighborhood, check out the 11th floor t-shirts.
Tokyo Solamachi
- Google Maps
- Website
- Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station, Asakusa Line, Exit 4(10-minute walk)
This isn't one shop, but rather a shopping mall underneath Skytree Tower. It has a big variety of small, manageable shops directed mostly to visitors, from Japanese knives to keychains and ceramics.
+Near Asakusa shrine district
+Variety
-Touristy
=If you swoosh up to the top of the Tree, then be sure to take a tour of the many shops below it on your way out.
D'or Harajuku
- Google Maps
- Website
- JR Harajuku Station Line, Takeshita Exit (6-minute walk)
-
A cosmetics emporium with a host of brands. Perfect for gifts for female friends and family. Get a wish list to be safe. There's not a lot of English assistance.
+Wide range of brands
+Fun neighborhood
-Only cosmetics
=Make it a stop of you want ¥1,000~¥5,000 range cosmetic gifts.
Iwate Galaxy Plaza
- Google Maps
- Website
- Higashi-Ginza Station, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line or Toei Asakusa Line, Exit 6, (5-minute walk)
If you didn't have time to visit the outer regions of Japan, then Tokyo has a host of 'antenna shops' featuring regional goods. In Google maps, just enter 'Hokkaido antenna shop Tokyo' or another prefecture to locate the shop. About half of the prefectures are represented.
One of the biggest and best is Iwate Prefecture's Galaxy Plaza in Ginza. It's got a lot of non-food items, so we've listed it here. But the other antenna shops are also worthy of listing.
+Easy access
+Wide selection of food and non-food items
+Eat-in area
-Only Iwate products
=If you have time, visit a few of the regional antenna shops. Hokkaido, Shiga, and Miyazaki are all excellent stops besides Iwate.
Kyukyodo
- Google Maps
- Website
- Ginza Station, Ginza Line, Exit A2 (3-minute walk)
Kyukyodo is known for being located on the most expensive piece of land in Tokyo. Oddly, the gifts are rather reasonably priced. There is a wide selection of Japanese stationery, along with small washi paper-based gifts that work well for kids.
You're telling yourself: Why get someone stationery in the digital age? That's exactly the appeal. People are still using pens and mechanical pencils, and you have a wonderful selection here. Another great item for adults is incense, and there is a huge variety here along with stylish incense holders.
+Location
+Traditional Japanese gifts
-Limited to Japanese goods
=Easy access and traditional items make this a must stop for gift shopping.
Tsuchi-ya Glassware & Ceramics
- Google Maps
- Website
- Tokyo Metro Asakusa Subway Station, Exit B (11-minute walk)
Tsuchi-ya will require a little bigger budget than the other touristy glassware shops, but you get what you pay for. The highlight is the famous Kiriko cut-glass designs. These typically run anywhere from ¥30,000 to ¥250,000. Other glassware products, though not as traditional Japanese as Kiriko, will be in the ¥10,000 range.
+Near Asakusa Station
+Traditional
-Pricey
=A great place to stop even for just window shopping.
Kicks Lab
- Google Maps
- Website
- JR Harajuku Station, Yamanote Line, Takeshita Exit (7-minute walk)
You may not find Japanese-style shoes here, but you will get some stylish items designed specially for the Japanese market at reasonable prices, possibly even cheaper than your home market given the weak yen.
There's also a large range of clothing and bags.
And it's in the hippest neighborhood in Tokyo.
If you want very Japanese-style shoes that are also wearable, try goyemon in Shibuya (https://www.goyemon.tokyo/). But beware there's a small selection and you may not get the size you want.
+Hip neighborhood with good eateries
+Strong selection
-May not have large sizes
=If you have normal-size feet (up to 28 cm) and you've got holes in your shoes, look no further than this shop. You may get lucky and find a design you can't get at home.
Utsuwa Tsuki No Shita
- Google Maps
- Website
- JR Shimbashi Station, exit 2B (10-minute walk)
Tsuki no Shita is located near the old Tsukiji fish market, a short walk from the buzzing Shimbashi area.
The product lineup features elegant chopsticks and small ceramics. Reasonable prices and good, traditional selection.
+Traditional
+Reasonable prices
-Much of what you get here you could get other tourist centers
=A hop and jump from Shimbashi/Ginza area makes this a nice souvenir stop.