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.
Takahashi Shoten is located in the famous Motomachi shopping area, and is a short five-minute walk from Yokohama's Chinatown. Takahashi Shoten has a large collection of foreign books and overseas magazines in English. The shop also has a good selection of Japanese stationary, letter sets, post cards and holiday greeting cards, most of which have ornate Japanese designs and are great as souvenirs of Japan.
Disk Union is a popular second-hand CD chain with five of its stores situated in Ochanomizu, each specializing in different music. Predictably, their clientele is mostly students from the nearby Meiji and Shenshu universities. They have a large stock of discs and a number of bargain bins that are worth rummaging through.
Sukeroku specializes in miniatures of the Edo period in the form on gangu, miniature toys such as puppets, and dolls. Originally gangu were cheap items made from wood, paper or clay. Now they are not quite so cheap and looked upon as adult souvenirs. Sukeroku reflects the Edo period and lifestyle through these miniatures, so as souvenirs they are quite beautiful and traditional. Their minimal size and weight will be well regarded by those who wish to travel light.
Anyone who takes pride in his or her car will love this shop. Before you even enter, you will be struck by the number of extremely expensive toy cars parked outside. We are not talking about the "matchbox" series, although some of those can be found inside. These toys are toddler-sized replicas of Porsches, Ferraris, etc. Inside the shop you will find driving shoes, gloves, bags and various other accessories, as well as baby seats and other practical items. On the less practical side, there are racing jackets, replica cars and other toys--for big boys and girls, of course.
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!