If you like shopping and have the energy to run around all day from shop to shop, from one shopping center to the other until you drop, then Shibuya is by far the best place to do it in Tokyo. Shibuya shopping area are all located within a walking distance from both Shibuya and Harajuku stations. In both stations, you can find a special auto-lockers system in which you can store the items you buy and move on to shop some more and collect all your shopping at the end of the day from your locker. Shibuya offers almost any type of shopping type you can imagine. You can find in Shibuya very expensive brand shops along the Omotesando and Aoyama Dori streets, or all sort of girly cheap clothing around Shibuya 109 and Center-gai streets, or you can go on a wild search for the “kawaii” clothing and products in the Harajuku area but no matter where you want to go, it is all centered around those two stations and in between them.
Although you can go around Shibuya and shop randomly everywhere, we put to gather this article to allow you to focus you shopping on what you look for. It is very easy to go all over the place in Shibuya and check out shops without knowing what the next shop will offer, but if you are limited in time and have a general idea of what you look for, this article will guide you to the best locations and show you the best places to get what you really want. After you got what you want and stored it in a locker, use the rest of the day to roam around Shibuya and enjoy it all!
It is also good to know how Shibuya runs, so you can best time your shopping to avoid the masses who all gets there to do just that, shopping like mad. Shibuya shopping centers are all starts around 9am and closed at 9pm. Unless there is a special sale day or some special sales promotion, the very early hours of the morning are the best times to get to the shops and enjoy the lack of shoppers around. By Lunch time the place is swamped with people and as the day progress, the streets are getting more and more congested with people. Since Shibuya is also a major night out spot, from early afternoon to evening there is another wave of people getting into the area and around 8pm it is peak time and the streets feels more like the train station in rush hour. There are thousands of people walking the streets and looking for places to go out in, so be prepared to get there as early as possible, get your locket to load off some stuff and try to avoid the evening rush hour by finishing your shopping early.
Lets start get you familiarized with the top 10 spots to get what you want in Shibuya!
1. Shibuya 109
This shopping center which is located right in front of Shibuya Station and Scramble Crossing is a legendary spot in Tokyo. This is the place where so many Shibuya fashion styles evolved from and still is one of the main forces shaping how girls in Japan gage 13 and up all day long. Its central location and the easy to see “109” sign at the top of the building has also turned this place to a meeting spot and the street level is always packed with groups and couples hanging out or waiting for friends to show up. Shibuya 109 also offers free WiFi hotspot to all its shoppers, and is a tax free zone where tourists with passports can get 8% discount in all its shops. The shopping center is actually an 9 floor round tower linked to a massive building at the back and the shops inside it are constantly changing due too the system of “Fashion Community” system which runs the place. Believe it or not, this place is choosing its stores by monthly and yearly ratings. Stores that loose rating and sell less are been forced to leave the shopping center and only successful shops allowed to stay in. This system make sure that no matter when you come to visit Japan and visit Shibuya 109, the place will always have the very latest and most trendy fashion you can find in Tokyo. This shop rating system also make sure that shops keep prices very low to attract more buyers and the result is that Shibuya 109 is not only carrying the latest fashion trends, its also one of the cheapest places to get your shopping done!
Information
- Name: Shibuya 109
- Tel: 03-3477-5111
- Address: 2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043
- Opening hour: 10am – 10pm
- Website: http://www.shibuya109.jp
2. Omotesando Hills
If you are in a mood for a really luxurious shopping experience, all within one beautifully designed shopping complex, then Omotesando Hills is probably the best place for it in Shibuya. Located at the very top end of Omotesando Street, and right before you reach Aoyama Dori crossing, Omotesando Hills become the latest addition to this very luxurious shopping street back in 2005. The complex is so big, it actually occupy a big portion of Omotesando upper section hosting 130 of the best shops in Shibuya within its 3 basement floors and 3 top floors. The very basement floor is where the restaurants and cafe area as well as the SPACE O section which hosts fashion and lifestyle events. The upper basement 2 floor is where you will find the “Kidds no Mori” area which is a small amusement section for kids and families. Basement 1 floor is where fashion and jewelry shops are hosted with a few coffeeshops located at one side of the floor. The first floor, which is the street level floor and all the way to the second floor is the main shopping area and they are all linked with one spiraling walkway. The very top floor is the main restaurants area where you will find exquisite cuisine and can enjoy both lunch and dinner at.
Information
- Name: Omotesando Hills
- Address: 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
- Tel: 03-3497-0310
- Opening hour: 10am – 10pm
- Website: http://www.omotesandohills.com
3. Shibuya Parco Department Store
Shibuya Parco is located on Udagawacho street, right between Shibuya and Harajuku stations and is one of the largest shopping centers in Shibuya. The department store is holding 180 shops, including many of Japan’s top fashion brands such as BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE, POCKET COMME des GARÇONS and many more. Although most of the shop are fashion oriented, the place is not limited to clothing and shoes stores only and you can find inside it Japanese pop culture shops such as ONE PIECE MUGIWARA STORE, as well as entertainment facilities such as galleries are art shows space. The restaurant floor offers mostly Japanese style food such as sashimi, sukiyaki, and yakiniku. Within the department store, there are about 80 of the stores who participate in the tourist tax free program. You will see the special “TAX FREE” stickers on stores that do offer the tourist discount, so don’t forget your passport and enjoy that special discount.
Shibuya Parco also offers its own free WiFi service and if you are using a mobile device, look for the “atPARCO” SSID and get connected free of charge!
Information
- Name: Shibuya Parco Department Store
- Address: 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8377
- Tel: 03-3464-5111
- Opening hour: 10am – 9pm
- Website: http://shibuya.parco.jp/page2
4. Shibuya Center-gai Street
If you visit Shibuya, do not miss this very special section of the district. To reach Center-gai area, simply get out of Shibuya Station and cross the big Scramble Crossing to the other side. The whole area for the next couple of blocks is called “Center-gai” and it is full of narrow streets and alleys offering hundred of shop selling anything from fashion, to fast food and small restaurants, pachinko parlors, and even night clubs. When you do walk around Center-gai area, notice to look up and not just at the street levels. There are many stores that are located on the top floors of all the buildings as well as many basements are used as shops and entertainment spots. The streets of Center-gai are always busy, almost 24 hours a day and you will notice many shops runners walking around the streets and looking for customers. It is a common thing in that area for shops to send people around and find the right clientele out of the crowds and lead them to the store or shop. Since this is also a very popular tourist area, most of the shop staff will speak some kind of English and will be very friendly to foreigners trying to buy in their shops. It is a great place for both shopping and just enjoying yourself walking around and getting the exciting energy of Shibuya into you!
Information
- Name: Shibuya Center-gai Street
- Address: 24-4 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
5. Takeshita Dori Street
Takeshita Dori has grabbed the world attention for many years now as the center of Tokyo “kawaii” style district. The street stretch right from the exit of Harajuku Station and all the way to Meiji-dori street which divides Harajuku to two sections. The Takeshita Dori section, and the more expensive and luxurious Omotesando street. Takeshita Dori street is actually a full couple of blocks spanning from the main street into smaller and smaller alleys. The shops in this street are something out of this world by all means! You can find endless amount of shops offering customs and cosplay clothing and accessories, large size souvenirs and accessories stores, hiphop and skateboarding clothing, and even expensive private brands shops of local Japanese designers who cater to the very special young crowds that buy or hand out in Harajuku. Takeshita Dori is also the place to get the most amazing crepes in the world! The crape shops is Harajuku are known for their amazing selection and outrageous flavors. Simply reach to any crepe shop and check out the windows display which will offer their massive selection of crepes with huge posters or plastic samples. Simply point at the crepe you want and enjoy hot or cold crepe of your life!
Information
- Name: Takeshita Dori Street
- Address: Jingumae 1-Chome, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
- Opening hour: 9am – 8pm
6. Laforet Harajuku
Laforet Harajuku is a shopping center located right int he heart of Shibuya on the crossing between Omotesando and Meji-Dori. This is a massive 6 floors shopping center which offers the best of Harajuku style fashion but in a bit more luxurious and expensive looking shops then the ones on Takeshita Dori street. It is a sort of the “High fashion” stores of the Harajuku style fashion, yet in prices that are very reasonable which young crowds can afford. Laforet Harajuku complex is indeed 6 floors but the way it is built is dividing every floor to 2 sub floors, and when you climb the steps, you will notice floor 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 etc all the way up to the 6th floor. Each floor is a mix of many types of stores catering to the Harajuku generation of young and wild kids. You can find in this complex anything from punk clothing, to rock style stores, cute Kawaii shops, cosplay shops with many styles and kinds, shoes, hats, bags, sunglasses, and all the major Japanese brands who design special clothing intros very special Harajuku style. The complex also holds events on the basement floor for mostly fashion shows and art exhibitions and the building is offering free WiFi connection as well as free USB charge to mobile phones and mobile devices.
Information
- Name: Laforet Harajuku
- Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
- Tel: 03-3475-0411
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.laforet.ne.jp
7. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
Located right in front of Laforest shopping centurion the other side of the big crossing of Omotesando and Meji-dori is the magnificent mirror covered shopping center, the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku dubbed in short by Japanese as “Omohara”. As you progress on moving from Takeshita Dori budget fashion stores, to Laforet more exclusive and pricey stores, Tokyu Plaza is the next higher cost shopping center on the way up Omotesando street and its lavish and expensive brand stores. The building is designed like a towering castle structure with a little tree groves poping out from every side of it. The building was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, an award-winning architect who helped shaped the new terminals at Haneda airport. Omohara is the home base for major international fashion shops like American Eagle, Tommy Hilfiger, as well smaller domestic Japanese brands. If you want to get a beautiful view of the area as well a enjoy a beautifully designed space, go up to the roof top and enjoy a terrace floor with views of Harajuku from all sides and a glass window to peer into the building itself!
Information
- Name: Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
- Address: 4-30-3 Jingumae,Shibuya-ku,Tokyo 150-0001
- Tel: 03-3497-0418
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: http://omohara.tokyu-plaza.com
8. Aoyama Dori
Aoyama Dori Street is a section of Route 246 main road which go through all Tokyo and into Yokohama city. Aoyama Dori is actually stretches all the way from the Miyakezaka Intersection in from of the Imperial Palace near Ginza to Shibuya Station. This street connects major fashion and office districts in Tokyo, such as Akasaka, Omotesando, and Shibuya. There are many cutting-edge, trendy brand shops, so this sophisticated street is perfect for window-shopping.
If you are looking for a long walk for about 2 hours with hundreds of shops to explore, Aoyama Dori is the right place to go. It is very easy to access it right from Shibuya Station where the street will mostly offer restaurants and small clothing stores, as you reach the top of the hill you will notice not he right side the very large Aoyama University complex. Passing that complex and you will be surrounded by very trendy fashion stores, coffeeshops, restaurants, and small shopping malls all the way till you reach Omotesando street. From there you can keep on going straight and block by block you will notice less and less stores until at the very end of it, you will reach the Imperial Palace, which is a view you need to experience!
Information
- Name: Aoyama Dori
- Address: Route 246, Shibuya
9. Kiddy Land
Are you looking for buying presents or toys for kids? You are in the right district of Tokyo! Shibuya offers one of the most amazing Toy stores in Tokyo called “Kiddy land”. The 4 floors shop is located a couple of minutes away from the big crossing in Harajuku between Meiji-dori and Omotesando and in case you find yourself at the other side of the street, a special walking bridge is built right next to it linking both sides of Omotesando street comfortably. This shop is one of Harajuku landmarks and anybody in Tokyo who wants to get the coolest toys knows this store and have been there many times. The first floor is dedicated all sort of Japanese anime as well as international animation figures, dollar and stuffed animals. The first floor is also the place where seasonal merchandize is been displayed and it is changed weekly with the latest toys and gadgets Japan has to offer for kids. The second floor is mainly full of stuffed animals in one side and stationary in the other. The third floor is where you can find puzzles and game board as well as train tracks toys and all sort of educational games. The top 4th floor is where all the video games and video games accessories are sold as well as it is the place where robots, drones and remote controlled toys are located. This place is indeed selling toys for kids, but as an adult, it is as fun to enjoy!
Information
- Name: Kiddy Land
- Address: 6-1-9 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
- Tel: 03-3409-3431
- Opening hour: 11am – 9pm
- Website: http://www.kiddyland.co.jp
10. Tokyu Hands Shibuya Store
Tokyu Hands is is located right next to the PARCO department store in close proximity to Shibuya Station and Center-gai. The store concept is truly unique for japan and I have never seen such a store anywhere I traveled abroad. Tokyu Hands offers all kinds of products in massive variety, from high-quality and high-functional livingware, to fancy made-in-Japan bags, convenient travel goods, the latest Japanese stationery, beauty products, and tools and materials for DIY projects. It is very hard to categorized Tokyu Hands to a particular type of retail store, as it includes a variety of types of products organized in different floors, such as a home center floor, a stationery floor, and general department store floors. I can best describe it as “one stop shop” for everything you can imagine and much more! If you don’t have anything special in mind that you wish to shop for but want to explore many varieties of products, go to Tokyu Hands and get lost in this massive store. It is also a great way to see how Japanese living their life and what kind of product they use in their daily lives!
Information
- Name: Tokyu Hands Shibuya Store
- Address: 12-18 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042
- Tel: 03-5489-5111
- Opening hour: 10am – 9pm
- Website: http://shibuya.tokyu-hands.co.jp
Have a good trip and travel!
