Exploring Japan: Three Must-Visit Shopping Destinations for Tourists
When sightseeing in Japan, you'll find that shopping is always part of the experience. In Tokyo, shopping areas are located near popular landmarks, famous tourist sites, and subway stations, so you can enjoy sightseeing and shopping simultaneously. Here are three unique shopping destinations in Japan that you should check out. Happy exploring!
100-yen Shops
Japan's 100-yen shops offer a diverse selection of high-quality products, including stationery, cellphone accessories, and daily utensils, all priced at a flat rate of 100 yen. Customers can easily return products, whether due to issues or by simply presenting the receipt. This hassle-free shopping experience has contributed to the popularity of 100-yen shops for small-item purchases in Japan. A recent survey of foreign visitors to Japan revealed their satisfaction with shopping there, attributed to the favorable prices resulting from the weak Yen, the exceptional quality of Japan's customer service, and the wide variety of available products. Many tourists consider Japan the ideal destination for finding everything they need.
Department Stores
Department stores in Japan offer a wide range of products, including food items. Some even have restaurants and unique services, such as "elevator girls," who assist customers with a smile. Colorful displays and seasonal products attract shoppers and encourage impulse purchases. Explore the carefully selected goods and unique services that department stores provide. When you're at a department store, head to the basement floor, known as "depachika." These basement food floors are a treasure trove for souvenirs and gifts. Big department stores are clustered around each of Tokyo's major stations, and their depachika floors are well-stocked with souvenir spots. They are easily accessible and large enough to have most kinds of souvenirs all in one place. Depachika promises to be fun, even if you wander around, looking and nibbling at the tasting samples.
Convenience Stores
The word "コンビニ" (conbini) can be seen on signs all over Tokyo. It stands for "convenience store." There are 56,000 convenience stores in Japan, each with an average floor area of 100 square meters and stocking 3,000 or more items that sell well. Convenience stores are known for their accessibility, extended hours, ATMs, and agency services for paying public utility fees, purchasing concert tickets, and more. Convenience stores in Japan offer affordable food and drink options, making them cheaper places to eat than fast-food restaurants. They are stocked with rice balls, sandwiches, noodles, pasta, sushi, salads, desserts, and more. If you think, "I feel like eating something Japanese," or "I'd like to know what Japanese food is like," head for a convenience store. Check out a convenience store first, and if you buy and try something there once and like it, like sushi, for example, go to a specialist sushi restaurant next. That's a smart way to use convenience stores.
