{"id":13109,"date":"2018-08-31T12:12:28","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T11:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=13109"},"modified":"2020-01-29T12:46:35","modified_gmt":"2020-01-29T12:46:35","slug":"shopping-in-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/31\/shopping-in-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to shopping in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>From department stores to flea markets across Tokyo&#8217;s myriad districts, tour leader <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/HughCann\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hugh Cann<\/a> gives us the comprehensive lowdown on shopping in Tokyo. Plus, a few handy haggling phrases!<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Shopping in Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>So, you\u2019ve been to Kyoto, Kanazawa, Nikko, Takayama, Hiroshima, Osaka or any of the other wonderful destinations in Japan and picked up a souvenir or two. But if you have\u00a0a couple of days in the capital (and the voices of friends and family saying \u201cbring me back something nice\u201d ringing in your ears) Tokyo has it covered.<\/p>\n<p>There is both high-end\u00a0and offbeat fashion; traditional crafts and vintage wares; and all manner of only-in-Japan gadgets you didn&#8217;t know existed but now desperately want. Whether you prefer department store browsing or rummaging for antique treasures, Tokyo meets all your shopping needs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-20848 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Koenji Tokyo vintage shopping\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/A-bit-of-70s-Colour-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Tax matters<\/h2>\n<p>Japan has a flat <strong>consumption tax<\/strong> (GST, sales, VAT) of 8%, but if you\u2019re a temporary visitor (i.e. staying for less than six months), not working in Japan, and not a Japanese citizen, you may be exempt.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, for consumables, the total spending amount should be from 5,000 yen (before tax) to qualify for exemption, and general items at least 10,000 yen (before tax). Food and beverages, cosmetics, medicines, batteries and cigarettes are classed as consumables.<\/p>\n<p>Some shops have varying policies &#8211; discount department store chain Don Quixote sets the minimum purchase amount for consumables and general items at 5,000 yen before tax. Some shops do not consider consumables to be tax-exempt and set a minimum amount of 10,000 yen before tax.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Shopping options in Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>Department stores (<em>dep\u0101to<\/em>)\u00a0are <strong>one-stop shopping experiences<\/strong>\u00a0with a wide range of products available, mostly better known brands and high quality goods on the more expensive side. Takashimaya in Shinjuku or Mitsukoshi, Matsuya or Itoya in Ginza are normally\u00a0open daily from 10am &#8211; 8pm.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Ginza<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Ginza is comparable with Oxford Street in London or Fifth Avenue in New York.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium-plus-size wp-image-9685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-510x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"510\" height=\"765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-510x765.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-900x1350.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-720x1080.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-390x585.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ginza4-780x1170.jpg 780w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Takumi is a craft specialist store in Ginza stocking an elegant selection of <strong>traditional folk crafts<\/strong>, including toys, textiles and ceramics from with information detailing the origin and background of the pieces.<\/p>\n<p>Head to Hakuhinkan\u00a0for all kinds of games and toys, and for the best chopsticks you could possibly buy try\u00a0Natsuno\u00a0&#8211; there are even gold leaf ones! For antiques, furniture, kimono and <em>yukata<\/em>, screens, ornaments and ceramics visit Oriental Bazaar at nearby Omotesando.\u00a0The Antique Mall in Ginza between Chuo Dori and Showa Ave. has a wide range of collectables with Japanese, Chinese, Asian, and Western antiques, as well as vintage kimono and fabrics.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Harajuku<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Harajuku is the centre of offbeat fashion (odd ball fashion is perhaps a better description). For vintage clothing, try out Kinji or Mirror, or take a stroll down the road to Bingo in Shibuya.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4234\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-720x960.jpg\" alt=\"Harajuku Fashion\" width=\"350\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-1440x1920.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/harajuku3.jpg 1944w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Omotesando<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Omotesando is for the discerning (Tokyo\u2019s Champs Elysee) and thought of as a living, breathing catwalk.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9692 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Architecture of Tokyo\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Omotesando5-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Shimokitazawa<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">A few stops from Shibuya or Shinjuku on the Keio Inokashira or Odakyu lines is Shimokitazawa. This bohemian neighbourhood has shops selling secondhand clothes, miscellaneous items from the 70s, and old animation-themed toys.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11884 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ShimoKita2.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a trendsetting place with small theatre halls, bars and record shops. The narrow alleys are inaccessible to vehicles and it&#8217;s an adventure to explore the district on foot.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Flea markets<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For antiques and vintage, head to one of the many weekly\u00a0<strong style=\"font-size: 16px; text-align: start;\">flea markets<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; text-align: start;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-20851\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC00109-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<strong>The Oedo Antique Market<\/strong> takes place at the Tokyo International Forum next to Yurakucho Station on the JR Yamanote line. It&#8217;s said to be the \u2018largest outdoor antique market in Japan\u2019, and is held on the first and third Sunday of each month, weather permitting (it&#8217;s normally cancelled when it rains).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ohi Racecourse Flea Market<\/strong>, also known as <strong>Tokyo City Flea Market<\/strong> is one of the biggest and most popular flea markets, with around 600 vendors. Ohi Racetrack, Shinagawa (near Oikeibajo Station) every Saturday and Sunday, 9am-3pm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hanazono Shrine<\/strong>, every Sunday 8am-3pm at the shrine in Shinjuku, 3 min, walk from Shinjuku sanchome station on the Marunouchi and Toei Shinjuku Subway Lines or 7 min. walk from Shinjuku station (East Exit) on the JR Yamanote and Chuo Lines.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise you may want\u00a0 a taste of <em>ye olde Tokyo<\/em> and fill your boots at <strong>Ameyokocho Market<\/strong> in Ueno.<\/p>\n<p>Or perhaps a department store sized Japanese version of a one dollar shop &#8211; Don Quixote where you can get pretty much anything at discount prices.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Japanese swords<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-20852\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-720x479.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese swords\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-1440x957.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/JU-591.jpg 1805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Japanese swords<\/strong>\u00a0are a symbol of the bygone age of the samurai. Check your country\u2019s customs regulations before making a purchase. The real thing\u00a0will set you back\u00a0a minimum of 500k yen for a <em>shinken<\/em> (actual or true sword).<\/p>\n<p>You can find these <em>souls of the samurai<\/em> at The Sword Co. in Toranomon, a 5-minute walk for Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya line. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sword-buyers-guide.com\/authentic-japanese-swords.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">You might find this interesting if you are determined AND you can arrange for customs clearance<\/a>. Otherwise you can purchase replicas priced anywhere from $200 up to $1,200 &#8211;\u00a0Koyama Shoten in Asakusa is the easiest to find and has a huge range.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Books<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Jimbocho is a heaven for\u00a0<strong>booklovers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-20857\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Info-pack\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_2708-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Known as Tokyo\u2019s book town Jimbocho is one of the largest secondhand book markets in the world. It is on the intersection of Yasukuni-Dori and Hakusan-Dori in the Kanda district of Tokyo. If you like browsing, you\u2019ll find the latest published volumes, academic collections, art books, old magazines, and rare and antique books. You can spend hours here even if you cannot read Japanese.<\/p>\n<p>For Yousho (\u6d0b\u66f8, foreign books):<\/p>\n<p>Kitazawa Bookstore (\u5317\u6ca2\u66f8\u5e97)<\/p>\n<p>The Isseido Booksellers (\u4e00\u8aa0\u5802\u66f8\u5e97)<\/p>\n<p>Italia Shobo (\u30a4\u30bf\u30ea\u30a2\u66f8\u623f)<\/p>\n<p>Books Sanseido (\u4e09\u7701\u5802\u66f8\u5e97\u3000\u795e\u4fdd\u753a\u672c\u5e97)<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Haggling in Japanese!<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-19279\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-564x374.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-1200x796.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-900x597.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-1440x955.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-780x517.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5-510x338.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Meiji-Jingu-07.11.04-5.jpg 1544w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>A conversation might go something like this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>Ikura desu ka?<\/em>\u201d &#8211; when you want to ask how much something is. The vendor may rattle off a reply in the vernacular \u2013 despite regretting the situation, just nod and smile before you respond. \u201c<em>Yasuku naranai<\/em>?\u201c \/ \u201cWon\u2019t you make it a bit cheaper?<\/p>\n<p>or<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>Kibishii desune<\/em>\u201c \u00a0&#8211; that\u2019s a bit much \/ you drive a hard bargain. Best said with with a smile!<\/p>\n<p>If that doesn\u2019t make an impact, your next step is \u201c<em>Okane ga tarinai<\/em>!&#8221; Look sad &#8211; \u201cI don\u2019t have enough money!\u201d Or simply \u201c<em>Ni hyaku en, dou desuka<\/em>?\u201c when you want to say, \u201cHow about two hundred yen?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As far as payment goes,\u00a0<strong>credit cards<\/strong> are accepted. Cash withdrawals can be made at post offices, but the most convenient is the ubiquitous Seven Eleven where ATMs accept most major credit cards.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever you look for, if you plan your time well, even one afternoon can be well used to get those last-minute buys in. Happy shopping!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Many of our <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/SmallGroupTours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">small group tours<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/Self-GuidedAdventures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">self-guided adventures<\/a> include stays in Tokyo (all with plenty of shopping time&#8230;)<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13109\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! From department stores to flea markets across Tokyo&#8217;s myriad districts, tour leader Hugh Cann gives us the comprehensive lowdown on shopping in Tokyo. Plus, a few handy haggling phrases! Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2355],"tags":[1237,3904,3907],"class_list":["post-13109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-first-trip-to-japan","tag-shopping-in-japan","tag-shopping-in-tokyo","tag-flea-markets-in-tokyo"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13109"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25415,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13109\/revisions\/25415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}