I believe that shopping in Tokyo is one of the most fun things to do in Japan. And while Nick definitely had incredible patience with me (running screaming and arms flapping into shops like Loft, Tokyu Hands, Don Quijote, Daiso, Isetan and the Tokyu department store)… at some point he made it clear that our Tokyo shopping adventure had to come to an end, before he’d spontaneously self-combusted.
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Fair enough.
Still, if only I had unlimited funds, a bigger check-in bag and something to bribe Nick with, I’m sure I would’ve probably gotten away with buying:
Sushi Cat Pillow
Sushi Pencils
Sushi Wrapping-Cloth
Best Socks Ever (to be used in flip flops under your kimono!)
Paper Cut of a Japanese Bridge in Fall (because paper koi carp)
Lunchbox for Onigiri
Lunchbox for Triangle Sandwich
Bento Lunchbox
All the Other Lunchboxes
Stickers you put into your Child’s Lunchbox
Animal-Shapes Rubber Bands for around your Lunchbox
Panda Wet Towel Container
Snoopy Bread Stamp & Snoopy Rice Mould
Bear Bread Stamp
Panda Rice Mould
Shinkansen Rice Mould
Faces-on-Sausage-Clippers
Faces-on-Rice-Punches
Eyes to Put on Vegetables. Because Eyes to Put on Vegetables!
Apple-Shaped Condiment Containers
All the Other Condiment Containers
Banana Container & Egg Slicer
Fruit and Vegetable Picks
More Amazing Fruit and Veggie Picks
Animal-Shaped Dividers to Put into your Bento Lunchbox
Strawberry Tea Pot
Singing Hamster
Electronic Penguin
Electronic Dog
Electronic Bug
Live-Size Totoro
Typical Japanese Sun Hat
Happy Horse
Dog USB-Stick that, ehm, Humps your Computer
Banana Key Chain
Oyster Key Chain
Dog Wig (I don’t even have a dog)
Bakery for Miniature Animals
Miniature Restaurant
Costume that makes you look like a Salary-man from the front, but from the back… ok ok, at this point I also gave up
I still believe that one of the best things to do in Tokyo to soak up some real Japanese culture is shopping. Don’t you agree? … Even a little?
Planning a Trip to Japan? Here are some great resources:
- Skyscanner
– Find the best flights to Japan
- Booking.com – Find the best hotels in Japan
- World Nomads – Find the best travel insurance
- Get Your Guide – The most popular tours & activities around Japan
- ViaHero – Get help planning a trip to Japan from a local
- Magical Trip – Discover Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto at night with a local tour guide
- G Adventures
– Group travel to Japan
