Tokyo Store Recs

In August of 2022, my younger sister moved across the world to teach English in a city called Ueda in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan. Like any good older brother, I made it a priority to visit her. I knew it would be nice to visit my sister during her first holiday season away from family; and the shopping was just a bonus. I knew about the role and importance of Japanese fashion, but my expectations were far too low.

My first trip to Japan was in late 2022 and immediately I was hooked. The food, the culture, the manners people have on public transportation, the toilets! The list of all the things I find incredible about Japan can go on for a while. Luckily for me Ueda was only a 1.5-hour bullet train ride, the Shinkansen, away from Tokyo. So I was able to experience the rich and unique culture of the Nagano Prefecture as well as easily access the world-class shopping of Tokyo.

Needless to say, the shopping and the stores blew me away. The fabrics were rich, the cuts were unique and interesting, the sales associates, even with limited English-speaking skills, were knowledgeable and insightful about what looked best for the customer. All this and it was tax-free for tourists! Heaven on earth.

I have been back to Japan multiple times since and hope to keep returning. Here I have compiled some of my favorite shops, restaurants, and other attractions across Tokyo.