Stores, Malls or Markets in Tokyo

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Jay led us to a fancy fruit store in the lower level at Tokyo Midtown, where you could buy a mango for $150 and even pretty prosaic bananas were in the $5/per range. Later on, I read a blog which began something like, "If you shop for fruit the way you shop for jewelry..." and had to laugh; truly, although the shop has "museum-quality" fruit, the prices were so astronomical ($12.00 for a single strawberry?!) that it would be hard to imagine actually consuming what you'd purchased. But DEFINITELY go take a look, and a few photographs!

Sun Fruits is open daily from 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM.

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As you approach the outlying buildings at Tokyo Midtown, you may be lucky enough to smell something delicious on the air. It means you've reached Asanoya. This famous bakery from Karuizawa includes a dining area and offers about one hundred popular items, according to the building guide. I can't be sure, but I did manage to sample quite a few of their delicacies during my three-week stay. The fresh-baked bread is justifiably famous -- it was far better than any other bread we purchased during my visit. But I also enjoyed various types of pastry, particularly the croissants. My son's favorite was something called a "bacon epi" which reminded me a little of what Americans call a "pig in a blanket" though with better quality ingredients. There were also lovely egg dishes and a full selection of luncheon sandwiches, although I didn't try any of those. It IS expensive.

I did bring home a darling little Asanoya tote, and one day they were giving away little Asanoya logo plates -- exactly the right size on which to put one of the pastries.

Open 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM.

What to buy: My daughter-in-law claims that no one makes a better chocolate croissant.

What to pay: Typical pastries run between Y300-Y650. My tote was Y800.

My sister was determined that she wanted a silk good quality Kimono. What we didn't expect was the outrageous price that a Kimono's can cost !!!!! Now don't get me wrong if you want the cheap kind you can buy one for $50 US about 4500 Yen, but if you want the real deal be ready to pay some big bucks, such as 50,000, or 60,000 yen, about $500 to $600 US dollars for one. It all depends what color, what designs, etc., And there is more expensive ones that can be bought. Buying a Kimono for a lady is like a fine suit for men. One selects the fabric, then the tailor measures you. They cut it to your measurements. They take several fitting's. And the done Kimono is ready to pick up several days later. My sister paid 55,00 Yen about $600 US dollar for one. They teached her how to wear it correctly, and gave her tips on wearing it. Also they were so confident of there products that they said if at any time it was to rip or get damaged they would repair it at no cost. My sister just has to send it and pay the return shipment.

This little store is a hidden gem within the monster stores of Ginza. The best directions I can give is as following. Its one side street over going away from the Chanel and Cartier stores towards DeBeers but staying on the Chanel side of the street. If you get to the store Paul Stuart you went to far, it's closer to De Beers. If your standing in front of DeBeers with the DeBeers doors behind you should be able to see the little sign and some of the Kimono fake models on the little side street. Hope this helped !!!!

Japanese Fashion is obviously a bit different then western fashion, but in the end all dressed about the same and like similar items. Tokyo is a heaven for shopping if you can afford it, but if your are already tall among the Europeans you can imagine how would you be in Japan ;-)

The big second hand shop is Disc union.
http://diskunion.net/st/shop/

There is Shibuya,Shinjuku,Ikebukuro and more.
I'm sorry that web is only in Japanese...

And Recofan is second hand shop too.
http://www.recofan.co.jp/map/map_eng.html

There is Shibuya,Ikebukuro and Shimokitazawa.

Our guidebook (we bought this Taiwan-printed book in Taipei when we visited the city in 2007) raved about this shop in Ueno that sells Japanese fioodstuff at competitive prices (cheaper than what you can get at Nakamise). We went there one morning and started buying... and buying (for friends and family at home). It is quite popular with Taiwanese and Hong Kong tourists.

NEWDAYS is a convenience store in and out of station.It's there around every station.
Food,drink,snack,cigarette,magazine,underwear,and more.
The souvenir can be bought in the store at a some big station.

The JUNKUDO is one of the biggest bookshop in Tokyo.There are at Ikebukuro and Shinjuku.
This shop has dealt in the book on a lot of kinds of languages. Ofcourse travelbook,magazine,children and novel.
Book lover must don't miss this shop!

What to buy: Naturally,this shop has Japanese book.Especially there are quite a lot of art book and photograph collection.