Narita Shopping

Need a last minute item and stuck in NRT airport for a few hours then you can probably get it here. Need a camera or battery for you trip to Bali or ski parka for the highlands in China then you can find them here along with some cheap mall eats. Mall is anchored by the Jusco Supermarket on the east and a Sports Authority near the east end. Rather than head into the city as were were pressed for time I headed over here and found a moderatly priced steak house near one of the exits...there are countless other places to eat here that cater to just about every taste.

What to buy: Want to see the lastest Sony gizmo and don't want to fight the crowds of Tokyo then give the place a try.

What to pay: Average..don't know how many deals there are here except some places had signs offering duty free.

Blue Sky is a shop inside Narita Airport, as I kept some yens I spent them in postcards, candies and anything to take home (you know, last minute shopping)

What to buy: Buy sake, chocolates, cookies and candies like Pocky.

What to pay: As much as you want

You'll find Uniqlo all over Japan as a affordable clothes store, when on average the prices of clothes in Japan in general can be pretty expensive for the average tastes. It's my personal favourite because I can find my size of clothes (S or XS) that fit me well.. I'm writing it here as a seperate tip because the Uniqlo store near Aeon shopping mall is a free standing building.

Find your electronic stuff here, if you have no time to get to Tokyo and stuck in Narita. Main items are computers and peripherals, houseldhold electronics and personal electronics (earphones etc). If you are looking into something specific, the range is decent but in terms of overall electronics there are quite to browse through. The shopping mall Aeon is just adjacent from here.

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This shop is special because of the excellent customer service by the proprietor and his family. Please see my related story under "Local Customs" tips.
Located along the Omotesando not far from the ryokan where I was staying, the shop was a standalone shop, painted white on the outside, bright and airy on the inside with a lot of room to browse around. The pricing as compared to nearby shops was very competitive with some specially priced items on display outside the shop.

What to buy:
- Ceramic Mugs in various design-some Chinese, others Japanese - US$4-6 (see pics)
- Key chains - US$3-5
- Good-luck Cats - battery operated. Various sizes. US$7-10
- Cotton Yukata (casual kimono) for children and adults - various prices & quality
- Decorations for the home
-Colourful wooden Japanese dolls from US$9.00

What to pay: Similar to shops around Tokyo and at the airport

Let me tell you - if you fly into Narita late, you might be better off eating at the airport than braving the dark and lonely streets from the Hotel Narita over the massive freeway and then down the dark paths that finally get you to a 7-11 type outlet.

Then once you get there, you can pick from 2 minute noodles or 2 minute noodles! If you're going to land late, pack something to get you by that night ....

I mustn't be too harsh .. the 7-11 does sell grog - hence the hangover ..... Cheers Big Ears!

What to pay: A fair amount if you plan on drinking .. But this is Japan remember - nothing's cheap! (3 of us boys blew $100 Australian collectively on some food, 2 or 3 six packs o' beer, and a couple of 375ml liquor bottles.)