Six of the most impressive must-visit shops in Tokyo
By Barry Divola
If Tokyo is shopping heaven, then these to-die-for flagship stores are nirvana.
Muji Global Flagship Ginza
The biggest Muji store in the world, this one showcases the brand and includes a bakery, juice bar, diner and market.
Muji is a Japanese brand synonymous with exquisitely designed stationery, homewares, clothing, cosmetics and furniture, and their Ginza flagship, which opened in 2019, exhibits that same ethos. Apart from being the biggest Muji store in the world, this flagship takes the experience beyond showcasing the brand’s products and includes a bakery, juice bar, diner and market. And if you don’t want to leave? Well, the building also houses Muji Hotel Ginza, and the rooms are as aesthetically pleasing as everything else they do, so you can even sleep in style.
See muji.com
Tsutaya T-Site Daikanyama
The Tsutaya flagship in the T-Site complex of upscale Daikanyama.
To call this a bookstore does it a disservice. The Tsutaya flagship in the T-Site complex of upscale Daikanyama is made up of three buildings enclosed by a canopy of trees and connected to each other via a 55-metre corridor called Magazine Street, containing one of the most impressive displays of magazines you’ll encounter anywhere in the world. Whether you want books about travel, cars, design, art or cuisine, there’s a dedicated area here and concierges to help you find what you’re after. There’s also a big vinyl and CD section, a cafe, a cocktail bar/restaurant and lots of comfy seating all around to encourage you to sit, sip and browse.
See store.tsite.jp/daikanyama
Fender Flagship Tokyo
Just open in June, this is a world-first flagship for the iconic US guitar brand.
The newest store on this list – it only opened in late June 2023 – is also the very first flagship anywhere in the world for the US guitar company. Located in the iconic Ice Cubes building in Harajuku, this is the antithesis of a cluttered music store staffed by sniffy dudes – every instrument in their catalogue is artfully displayed and visitors can point at anything they’d like to try and immediately get set up to start playing through personal headphones. There’s also a cafe, an apparel store, a concert space for Fender artists to make live appearances, and the so-called “stairway to heaven” lined with over 300 archival photos of famous guitarists.
See fender.com
Uniqlo Ginza
Uniqlo: find a T-shirt design collaboration with everyone from Disney to the Tate Modern.
This 12-floor behemoth became one of the city’s best known and most loved flagships when it opened over a decade ago. After undergoing a renovation in 2021, it’s now even more impressive. The Japanese clothing company uses LifeWear as its slogan and philosophy – stylish, functional, affordable clothing – and this store has many special features, including a flower shop, a place to get fitted out for a custom-order suit, and UT Store, which features T-shirt design collaborations with everyone from Disney to the Tate Modern. And up on the 12th floor is a coffee shop for you to unwind after all that retail therapy.
See uniqlo.com
Shu Uemura Tokyo Makeup Box
At Shu Uemura in Omotesando, you literally walk into a giant black make-up box.
Is there any building in the world that reflects its brand as perfectly as Shu Uemura in Omotesando? You literally walk into a giant black make-up box to experience the Japanese cosmetic company’s flagship store. Inside, the design is gorgeous, from an oversized kokeshi wooden doll (you can buy small versions as souvenirs) to art by Japanese calligrapher Mami. Everything in the fabled company’s cosmetics and skin care range is here to try and buy, but you’ll also find limited edition products (tumblers, vanity cases, tote bags and more) and a range of special services unique to the store, including personalised gift wrapping, custom engraving and brush cleaning.
See shuuemura.jp/tokyomakeupbox
Kith Tokyo
Design firm Snarkitecture created the Tokyo look for US luxury lifestyle brand Kith.
Imagine the arches and curved ceiling of a chapel in an old church. Now imagine the ceiling is studded with masses of plaster-cast Nike Air Force One sneakers. Welcome to the Tokyo flagship of US luxury lifestyle brand Kith. The company wanted a strong visual statement when they opened here in 2020, and they got it from the wonderfully named design firm Snarkitecture. Shoes and clothing are displayed in what looks like a futuristic temple to apparel, with Carrara marble floors and a floor-to-ceiling custom glass cylinder for displaying founder Ronnie Fieg’s footwear archive. On the second floor it gets more playful with a cereal and dessert bar called Treats.
See kithtokyo.com
The writer travelled to Tokyo with assistance from Fender Australia.
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.