15 Best Shopping in Ginza, Tokyo

This multistory fashion playhouse is a shrine to exclusives, one-offs, and other hard-to-find pieces from luxury brands all over the world. Curated by Comme des Garçons, the selection may leave all but the most dedicated fashion fans scratching their heads, but the unique interior sculptures and rooftop shrine with Japanese garden alone warrant a visit.

On the fourth floor, this gleaming department store houses an excellent selection of Japanese fashion, including Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto. The European-designer boutiques on the second floor are particularly popular with Tokyo's brand-obsessed shoppers. The rooftop terrace is a welcome respite for the weary.

Kokichi Mikimoto created his technique for cultured pearls in 1893. Since then his name has been associated with the best quality in the industry. Mikimoto's tower in Ginza is a boutique devoted to nature's ready-made gems; the building, like the pearls it holds, dazzles visitors with a facade that resembles Swiss cheese.

The new flagship store of this minimalist, design-focused interiors and clothing brand is home to a large selection of furniture, appliances, bedding, and clothes for the whole family. The store also houses a café-bakery, diner, children's play area, and hotel.

One of the biggest and swankiest commercial complexes in the city, Ginza Six opened with much fanfare in 2017 and didn’t disappoint. Below the office spaces that occupy the upper floors, you’ll find another six floors above and below ground home to outlets of brands like Celine, Fendi, and Jimmy Choo. There are also cosmetic stores, deli foods, restaurants, art installations, and even a basement Noh theater. It's immediately across the street from the 12-story flagship of budget fashion brand Uniqlo.

One of the finest jewelers in Japan was founded in 1892. The store specializes in precious metals and diamond jewelry. It also sells a wide variety of art objects in gold, like those found on Buddhist altars.

Completely remodeled in 2015, this huge paper emporium is brimming with locally crafted and imported stationery, much of which is designed to translate traditional motifs onto contemporary office tools.

Kyukyodo has been in business since 1663—and in this spacious Ginza location since 1880—selling wonderful handmade Japanese papers, paper products, incense, brushes, and other materials for calligraphy.

The Ginza branch of Japan's first department-store chain has been open since 1930 and remains the largest department store in the area, with a sprawling grass-covered terrace on the ninth floor that provides a respite from the shopping bustle. On the third floor is an area called "Le Place" that sells only local designer fashion, and the two basement floors have an impressive selection of delicacies.

The cramped Nikon House branch of this two-store operation features so many Nikons—old and new, digital and film—that it could double as a museum to the brand. Plenty of lenses and flashes are available as well.

This small but pleasant Ginza shop has attractive used kimono, yukata, and other traditional clothing in many fabrics, colors, and patterns. The helpful staff can acquaint you with the somewhat complicated method of putting on the garments. Tax-free locations are scattered throughout the city, including Shibuya, Asakusa, Aoyama, and Shibuya.

Tasaki sells pearls at slightly lower prices than Mikimoto. The brand opened this glittery flagship tower in Ginza that moved them from the old guard into the contemporary big leagues. There's a large collection of pearl and gem items, from costume to bridal and fine jewelry. On the fifth floor is an event space that holds numerous art exhibits.

This tiny, threadbare shop incongruously situated near Ginza's glittering department stores sells expensive well-worn antique swords. They can also sharpen your blade for you.

Customers can wrap themselves in simple, low-priced clothing staples from the company's own brand. This 12-story location is the world's largest, and sells men's, women's, and children's clothing right on the main Ginza drag.

This grand old department store is well known for its high-end watches, glassware, and jewelry, as well as having some of the most sophisticated window displays in town. The clock atop the curved 1930s-era building is illuminated at night, making it one of Ginza's more recognized landmarks.