The back story
Shopping in Tokyo: department stores, Ginza and the new tax refund
The great department stores of Nihonbashi, Ginza and Shinjuku, the flagships of Omotesandō, stationery, knives and the new tax-free refund that begins on 1 November 2026.
Tokyo shops at every scale. The department stores are institutions: Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya in Nihonbashi, Ginza Mitsukoshi and GINZA SIX on Chūō-dōri, Isetan in Shinjuku, each with a food hall in the basement. Omotesandō and Aoyama are the street of architect-built flagships; Daikanyama has its bookshop; Kappabashi sells knives and lacquer to the city’s chefs.
The department stores
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi and Nihombashi Takashimaya face each other along Chūō-dōri in the old merchant quarter; Ginza Mitsukoshi and GINZA SIX are in Ginza, and Isetan in Shinjuku.
Ginza and Omotesandō
Ginza’s Chūō-dōri is closed to cars on weekend afternoons; Dover Street Market Ginza is a few minutes away. Omotesandō runs from Harajuku towards Aoyama, past Omotesando Hills.
Go down to the depachika, the basement food halls, just before closing.
Things to bring home
Stationery from Itoya in Ginza, a kitchen knife from Kappabashi, tea from Ippodo, wagashi from Toraya and books from Daikanyama T-Site.
Tax-free from 1 November 2026
From 1 November 2026 Japan’s tax-free shopping becomes a refund: visitors pay the price including consumption tax in the shop and receive the tax back once customs has confirmed the goods on departure. Purchases must still reach the minimum per shop and per day. Check the Japan Tourism Agency’s page for the latest rules before you shop.
Our advice: carry your passport when you shop, and leave time at the airport for the refund check.
Why it's on our list
- The department stores
- Ginza and Omotesandō
- Things to bring home
- Tax-free from 1 November 2026
Location
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