Akihabara

Welcome to Neon Land. Akihabara is the electronics capital of Japan and walking through its streets you can barely see in front of you due to the amount of flashing shop signs and video screens. Street stalls sell the latest high-tech computer devices, while huge electronic retailers flog televisions at duty-free prices. Head for the duty-free stores if you want to speak to English staff, and bring your passport with you to qualify for tax-exempt goods. Akky (1-12-1 Sotokanda) is one of the best shops for this. Come out of Akihabara station and look for the glaringly obvious Electric Town exit.

• Address:

  Akihabara, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Aoyama

Aoyama, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the city, offers a world of Japanese and international upmarket brands. The sculptural Prada building here stands for everything this neighbourhood is about — sleek sophistication is the name of the game. Well-recognised Japanese designers including Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake stand side by side with Prada and Louis Vuitton.

• Web:

  www.gotokyo.org/en/destinations/western-tokyo/aoyama-and-omotesando

• Address:

  Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Ginza

Ginza is Tokyo's definitive luxury quarter, a district where history and high fashion seamlessly intersect. Its name, meaning "silver mint", harks back to its 17th-century origins, but today it is synonymous with global sophistication. The main thoroughfare, Chuo-dori, is lined with flagship stores for elite brands like Chanel, Hermès, and the iconic Japanese department store Wako. While the district is a paradise for label lovers, its appeal extends beyond shopping. The post-war architecture is now punctuated by modern complexes like Ginza Six, a multi-level destination of designer boutiques and dining. For a more local experience, the network of side streets reveals exclusive art galleries, intimate bistros, and traditional department stores like Mitsukoshi.

• Address:

  Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tokyo

Ginza Mitsukoshi

Japan’s oldest department store has stores in Ginza and Nihonbashi. Womenswear, accessories, menswear, toys, childrenswear and restaurants from the fourth basement floor to the 12th floor. Mitsukoshi welcomes visitors from all around the world, with free Wifi, a Tax-Free Counter and Foreign Tourist Information Centre.

• Web:

  www.mistore.jp/store/ginza.html

• Address:

  4-6-16 Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3562 1111

Harajuku

Harajuku is Tokyo’s nexus of youth culture and cutting-edge fashion, centred on the famously crowded Takeshita Street. This pedestrianised lane is a sensory overload of trendy boutiques, crepe stands and colourful street style. Just a short walk away, the tree-lined boulevard of Omotesando offers a more refined contrast, with its flagship designer stores and modernist architecture. The district is defined by its iconic department stores, which act as fashion incubators. Laforet Harajuku (1-11-6 Jingumae) is a multi-level epicentre of avant-garde brands and subcultures, while the cylindrical 109 Store (2-29-1 Dogenzaka) in nearby Shibuya is a legendary hub for bold, teen-oriented trends. Beyond shopping, Harajuku offers a peaceful retreat at the adjacent Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park.

• Address:

  Harajuku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Isetan Shinjuku Store

The Isetan Shinjuku Store began its life as a kimono retailer in 1886 and has since evolved into a landmark of high fashion. The department store styles itself as the 'world's greatest fashion museum'. This vast enterprise spans multiple floors, offering an extensive range of products from cosmetics and household goods to electronics, blending timeless classics with the very latest trends.

• Web:

  www.mistore.jp/store/shinjuku.html

• Address:

  3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3352 1111