5 amazing shops in Japan [LIFESTYLE]

I'm not much of a shopper, until I started living in Japan . But you know what they say, when in Rome you do what the Romans do . And someway, somehow, Japan will definitely make a shopper out of you .

There are a couple of Japanese shops here that are huge chains and sell things that either have a sort of Japanese twist to it, or something you never knew existed . Most often these stores sell both of those things .

I just really want to say that what I especially love about Japanese stores (and in particular, these ones) is the fact that not only are they fairly cheap I do come from Australia though they are seriously good quality . You seriously get good value for your money . So lets start !

1. UNIQLO

You may have seen this in your own home country, but shopping at UNIQLO in places like Shinjuku or Shibuya lets you see its WHOLE collection and sometimes at a cheaper price too . To be honest upon becoming a UNIQLO convert I regretted bringing the huuuge amount of clothes I brought to Japan LOL OTL . This innovative brand does well catering to foreigners, being in-style yet simple, quality and affordable . It's no wonder that the tennis player Djokovic and music artist Pharrell have collaborated with this brand .

2. Loft

Loft specialises stationery, bags, skincare and homeware products . Now if there's one thing you should thoroughly check out, its Japan's stationery stuff .  I can't even begin to describe how Japan has any and every type of stationery you could ever dream of, and Loft's the beginning of it . Also, there are things here that make excellent  weird and wonderful souvenirs . The Loft's I've been to always have a huge range of items, but not enough to make your head spin, which I always find quite nice .

3. Hard Off / Book Off / Brand Off

The very definition of thrift shopping are these three stores . As  much as Japan likes to be commodity central, it also likes to thrift shop, and it likes to thrift shop real good . These stores are all second-hand good stores . You know what they say, someone else's trash is another persons treasure !

Hard Off is the second-hand store for electrical goods (such as laptops, etc.), Brand Off is the second-hand store for branded stuff (the best part about branded goods is the fact that they're such good quality that you could literally get second-hand Chanel and no one would know), and Book Off is the second-hand store for books (not like the book presence in Japan is cheap enough already) . The goods are very well preserved, and if you don't believe me you can see and judge the goods for yourself !

4. Muji （無印）

Small muji stores will consist of quick stationery and clothing, but the bigger muji stores will have everything, everything you could possibly think of . From your weekly food to furniture . Plus not only is Muji a buy anything and everything store, but it also consists of good quality stuff at reasonable prices . What I absolutely adore about Muji too is the fact that it really captures this sort of Japanese minimalism that not a lot of people know Japan for . If you want an item that's stylish and simple, you should certainly check this place out .

5. Tokyu Hands (& branches)

When I first asked my friend what Tokyu Hands is, he told me that overall, it's this MASSIVE crafts shop . And as the picture indicates, it's called a 'Creative Life Store', but that is definitely not the only thing that Tokyu Hands has got going for it . Not only has it got various types of stationery, it has design, visual art, crafts and hobby sorts of things; but depending on the how big the store is you can get anything technology goods to travel goods . 

I don't know how to explain it but Tokyu Hands has this extensive range of things that you'd usually find to be of some sort of dingy quality or something, but it is absolutely utterly amazing . Now it may not sell things like computers, clothes, or furniture, but Tokyu Hands stores can be absolutely massive for a reason . If you want unusual yet amazing Japanese goods this is this is definitely the place to get them . Loft compared to a normal Tokyu Hands store is like a little smidget (and if you're a molsekine fan, you will find so many limited editions you'll wonder if this is really reality). And again . I stress how it has both quality and affordable prices as a lump sum . 

Now I added branches because Tokyu Hands has branches like Hands Be which I added just incase you want a bit of of you're head hunting for every part of this chain . However Hands Be is a really REALLY itty bitty version of what Tokyu Hands has to offer .

So what stores will you be eyeing ?

Signing out,

-THE TEACOAST .

by j 1:20:00 PM 1 comments