Best Other Shopping around Tokyo and Surroundings Spot List

The Gakugei-daigaku shopping district consists of six different shopping streets and areas all situated around the Gakugei-daigaku Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. It has an attractive and homey atmosphere.

An association of specialized, prayer-themed shops selling kamidana (tiny wooden personal shrines for use at home) and butsudan (tiny temples dedicated to the deceased) on Shinbutsugu Street between Ueno and Asakusa.

Rokkakubashi Shopping Street (Yokohama) where the events enhancing the streets' good-old-Japan atmosphere are attracting lots of shoppers.

TUZURU is a select shop with stationery, fountain pens, envelopes, and letter writing paper sheets. The store opened in 2008 as a casual place to buy fountain pens. A lineup of various fountain pens selected by the knowledgeable shop owners are showcased, ranging from simple to authentic styles.

Colorful plastic samples are displayed at Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya. On the second floor of the Kappabashi Showroom, you can experience making food replicas using wax. Based on a program designed by artisans, the staff will teach you the traditional techniques. You will make two kinds of plastic tempura and a head of lettuce in approximately one hour. A reservation by phone is required. Please note that the instruction is available only in Japanese.

Among other clothing stores, Sugamo Maruji became very popular for its red underwear and it is always busy with people looking to get their hands on the famous garment. The 4th branch store of the world's first red underwear shop has an outstanding signboard indicating ”Japan's best red underwear” in the front so it can't be missed. The red color is considered to symbolize vitality and happiness. Thus people buy it for a gift for seniors as well as for their own daily use. Aside from underwear, a lot of red colored items, such as shirts, belly-warmers, and socks, are available as well. Sugamo's famous red clothing makes a great unique souvenir for friends and family, senior or not!

Échiré Maison du Beurre is the world's first speciality store of Échiré butter which was opened in the Marunouchi Brick Square. Échiré butter is the fermented butter which is made in the traditional methods in the town of Échiré in France. At the store, they sell products such as the pastries which is made with Échiré butter. The butter cake and the croissant are the popular products which are often sold out in early hours. For souvenirs, Sable Échiré and Galette Échiré are recommended.

A wholesale store for restaurant supplies at the South entrance of Kappabashi Dougu Street. The statue of a giant cook on the rooftop of the building is the symbol of Kappabashi Dougu Street. They proudly offer a wide range tableware and cutlery for Japanese, Western and Chinese food, lacquerware and wooden products. Their original products such as the children's lunch series are popular as well. It is part of the enjoyment to find a good buy out of the jungle-like store overflowing with products.

Kamaasa is a cooking equipment store founded in 1908. Inside the store, various utensils are lined up, starting from kitchen knifes and Nambu ironware, other professional tools like pots , the Yukihira Pot (a pouring pot), frying pans, bamboo draing baskets, graters, but also ordinary daily house utensils. There is a wide variety of carefully selected beautifully designed products with great quality which will fit in your hand better the more you use it. We recommend you to come and try to hold the products for yourself and make a choice based on that.

Gekkoso is an art supply store with a retro atmosphere located along the Hanatsubaki Street in Ginza 8-chome. It was established in 1917. A lot of foreign people come here, too. There are about 90 kinds of cute picture post cards with paintings and poems of modern artists in the basement floor. You write an address and your message on the card and then post it in Gekkoso in-store post. Afterward, the store will have it mailed. You can also use Gekkoso's original watercolor paints to write your post card. Why not send your message with your memory of Ginza from Gekkosho to an important person in your country?

Japanese Pottery Shop Dengama is a Japanese pottery speciality store which directly purchases the product from the potteries all over Japan such as Arita, Kutani, Mashiko and Mino. They handle a wide range of products focused on bowls with made with traditional Japanese pottery techniques and pictures, along with fine articles from famous potteries, and products for ordinary daily use as mugs, tea cups and small plates. Don't forget to check the bargains near the entrance of the shop.

Located in Keyaki-zaka, a bookstore called TSUTAYA TOKYO ROPPONGI carries not only Japanese books and magazines, but also many art books and magazines from across the world. There is also a Starbucks inside, so you can relax on a sofa and choose an art book to peruse. CDs and DVDs are available on the 2nd floor. The great thing about this store is that it is open until 4:00 a.m.