For a day long shopping spree in Chiba, the impressive AEON Mall Makuhari is one of the best places. With over 350 shops, the mall is known for being one of the earliest shopping centers of the city. There are four different malls in the complex- Grand Mall, Pet Mall, Family Mall, and Active Mall. The Grand Mall, the biggest among all four, comprises of top fashion brands from H&M to Claire's, and more. The pet mall takes care of all the pet needs from grooming to specialized clothes and accessories sold in stores. The family mall has everything from pink Barbie shops, Babies R Us to a rooftop children's park. The active mall is for those with an adventurous streak and want to go rock climbing indoors or play a game of basketball. Perfect for a fun day out, the mall's festive vibe and decorations during Christmas are not to be missed.
Boasting the largest selection of technology related products in Japan, Yodobashi Akiba is an impressive complex of 9 enormous floors. Whether you're looking for an exclusive gadget from Japan, or just need to do some high-tech shopping, you'll be able to find it here. Don't worry if you find yourself feeling lost in this mini-metropolis; English-speaking staff members can help you find what you need. On floors 7-9, specialty places like Tower Records, a Golf Shop, and several restaurants round off this one-stop shopping experience. Additionally, there is direct access to and from Akihabara Station. Now that's service!
Isetan is not only one of the oldest and largest, but also perhaps the most foreigner-friendly department store in Tokyo. Its unique (and free) I club offers non-Japanese shoppers five percent discount on many selected items, plus a monthly newsletter containing the latest promotional information. Isetan also stocks a special range of women's clothing (Clover Shop) and men's wear (Supermale) in slightly larger sizes for those not quite petite enough for the standard Japanese range.
Nestled along the main business street in Akihabara is the Anime and Manga haven known as Animate. Several locations of this successful establishment reside in Japan, however, the Akihabara store boasts a 8 floors of specialty products. Everything from Japanese comics to Japanese animation, and related items such as Anime soundtracks and character goods, await your arrival. Expect to spend a few hours sifting through all of the eye-catching artwork if you're a hardcore fan, otherwise, it's still an interesting place to browse through and pick up something a little more unique than chopsticks. Overall, whether or not you're into cosplaying and anime, you'll definitely appreciate the zest for it in this superstore.
This store, located in the Ginza district, is truly a heaven for shopaholics. Wako was established in 1881 and was originally a watch and jewelry shop. Now considered the oldest and most prestigious design store in the city, Wako has exclusive watches, jewelry, handbags, porcelain and dishware. The store also has a wide clothing collection for men and women. You can find the store's branches in Hiroo, Minato and Haneda Airport as well. Situated within an old-fashioned building with a clock tower, the store is something else to behold at night, with fancy lights drawing attention to it.
This branch of Takashimaya is the largest department store in Japan. Much brighter and more modern than the Nihonbashi branch, it feels more like a huge, classy shopping mall. Inside are three restaurant floors, a Sega amusement center, an Imax theater and the famous Tokyu Hands hardware store. With an annex building housing the Kinokuniya Bookstore as well as all the Japanese gift items you could ever need, it is not surprising that Takashimaya has become a favorite with foreigners and locals alike.
So how excited can you feel about paper? A lot, if you happen to be in the Paper Nao shop. They offer approximately 250 varieties of paper, in a host of colors and textures. The people running the store will give you a good deal of information about the varities of paper available. Learn details of fiber used in making the paper including whether it is hand-made or machine-made, type of drying done, type of cooking as part of processing. Do visit it even if it is out of plain curiosity.
In a country where Western things are highly prized, Ma aims to remind Tokyo of the unique Japanese culture. Selling furniture, mostly tables, chairs, and shelving, and other interior design items and crafts, Ma takes pride in its heritage.
With top luxury brands like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Azzedine Alaia, 10 Corso Como is at the top of any fashionista's list. It's the brainchild of Comme Des Garcons designer, Rei Kawakubo and Carla Sozzini, the owner of the 10 Corso Como stores in Milan. Milan and Seoul are the only other cities where you will find a 10 Corso Como branch. The shop is a concept store that brings together everything from design, architecture and culture. A must-visit, the store is bound to leave you impressed.
More than just a store full of wonders, Cibone seems to have everything needed for the modern home. Many of the items are designer and are carefully created to add a touch of simplistic elegance to your space. With furniture such as tables, shelves, and chairs as well as lighting, dishes, pillows, and rugs, an entire room could be created from items from Cibone. Looking to spice up your wardrobe as well? Cibone also has a selection of shoes and accessories.
Got the urge to commune with nature? Wanna hike, trek, climb, bike, kayak, swim a channel or eat Gorp on a mountain top? Then L-Breath is the spot for you. With 7 floors of 'gear', you could probably outfit your entire next expedition here, or at least look the part. There is plenty of high-quality, high-tech, colorful, ruff-and-ready stuff to choose from, whether you're a weekend tree-hugger, or a regular bark-gnawer. L-Breath has reams of gadgets that look and do cool stuff. Warm and fuzzy, light and slick, life-saving, adventure-chasing, snuggling-by-the-fire, out in the bush equipment for the entire family. So what are you waiting for—hit the trails with all you got.
Super Potato is the place to find all those long-lost video games and consoles you wish you still had. Almost anything that was made back in the eighties can be found here. Oldies like the Super Nintendo, Sega, and even Neo-Geo, all in perfect condition, are available for purchase, as well as new products such as Playstation3 and the Nintendo Wii, and everything in between (Gameboy, Sega Dreamcast, etcetera). The huge store is three stories tall, with the first floor devoted to old, rare consoles and games, second floor housing the newer products, and the third floor boasting an old-fashioned arcade with classic games such as Street Fighter. The only problem--you may leave with a much lighter wallet, because you won't be able to stop yourself from buying up all the games from your childhood! Note that there is also a Super Potato in Osaka.