Shopping In Tokyo

Be prepared

• medications & vitamins (have any health conditions written out in Japanese)
• clothes (if intending to shop in Tokyo, don’t bring much)
• toiletries (ladies bring feminine products)
• food (only if dietary concerns)
• shoes (sensible, insoles)
• cash
• electronics
• shopping list & addresses
• packing materials (box cutter, tape, pens)
• compass
• Tokyo City Atlas (THE bible)
• phrase book
• good carry-on to use for shopping
• travel/health insurance

TIP: Disposable & travel sized items (don’t bring back what you don’t need)

I’d like to dispel a common misconception regarding Tokyo. It is not THAT expensive. In fact, I could live cheaper in Tokyo than I do in Vancouver for many things (ohhh, the temptation). However, one must have perspective, so if you get a great deal on certain items you need for every day use where you currently reside, then bring it with you (and abandon it when leaving Tokyo).

The reason I mention the above is because you need to think ahead: What will you be taking home? Sure, you’ll likely ship most of your purchases home, but take the purchases that you can with you in your luggage for extra savings (although watch the weights – airlines will charge you an overweight fee and doujinshi are HEAVY). Most airlines allow you to check in two bags and carry one piece on board. Check with your chosen airline for sizing and weight restrictions. Since you’ll be bringing back manga, doujinshi etc., you will want lots of room, and therefore leave behind anything you can do without.

Consider the following:

Medications

Obviously bring what you need for the duration and leave the medication in their original prescription container just in case.  Anticipate problems, however, and bring an extra full three days worth of medications — just in case your return flight is delayed, your drop and lose a pill and so on.

Clothes

Honestly – bring just enough. Sure, you can go shopping in Tokyo, but prices aren’t such that you’ll abandon the clothes you buy. However, you can always buy your stockings/panty hose (if you wear such) in Tokyo and leave those behind (unless you bought some of those gorgeously pretty Tokyo hose).

You may opt to add to your wardrobe as well while in Tokyo (if that is your interest).  If you pick up some of the latest fashions, you might as well wear them.  Do be aware of sizing, and do not expect to find much if you are above a small size (according to Western sizing charts).

I usually end up bringing back about a suitcase full of clothes with me — these I do not ship back.

Toiletries

Ladies, bring tampons – they likely won’t come in your size in Japan. Guys, you may want to bring your preferred love-glove with you.

Apart from that; tooth paste, brush, soap, etc. can all be purchased inexpensively in Tokyo.  All hail the Matsumoto Kiyoshi.

Snacks

The biggest mistake I made during my first trip was bringing my fruit and cashew bars (quick food when in a hurry). Tokyo has perfected quick and healthy food (i.e. onigiri, mnnn). Leave your snacks at home (except what you need for getting there; you’ll be bringing Japanese snacks back with you too).

Shoes

Bring a good pair of walking shoes. You’ll be doing lots of walking. Leave your shoe fetish at home and just bring one, maybe two pairs. Comfort is key. Besides, you’ll be in shoe-buying central so you can always buy a pair while you’re there.

Money

While a personal preference, I encourage you to exchange your money in your own country before heading to Tokyo to save time. While you can withdraw funds at some banks, save yourself any potential aggravation and exchange woes. Watch the markets and buy in your home city when it’s prime. As for how much – that’s up to you. My first time I brought $3,500 worth of Japanese Yen and didn’t feel limited. I put the hotel and one outfit from Harajuku on my credit card (for convenience) and that’s it.

A side note on money. Use cash. Forget bank cards for interac. Credit cards slow lines down and Japan is a society of efficiency; so help them out and use cash. Worried about theft? Forget it. Petty crimes are minimal to non existent in Tokyo — they go big or go home (think Yakuza — yes, they’re real). I routinely carried $500 worth of Yen on my person at all times and never ever felt uncomfortable. If you stay at a hotel you will have your own safe that you can store your cash in. And if you want perspective, most Japanese (who can afford to do so) carry at least $1,000 of Yen on their person at any given time.

Check the laws before you leave on how much money you are permitted to take into Japan. You will be asked to fill out a form on the plane asking how much you’re bringing in. I believe the limit for Canadian residents is now $10,000 before you may attract attention.

Where do you stow your cash on the way over? I used two sealed travel pouches with neck strings and essentially strapped them to my body! Hours on a hot plane and the Yen molded itself to the contours of my body.  I may trust the Japanese people, but I don’t trust everyone on a plane while I’m conked out on sleeping pills!

Electronics

Bring you camera and lots of media cards (or high capacity media cards). Avoid one high capacity card – you’ll cry if that one card corrupts and you lose ALL your pictures. Cell phones – only bring to use in your home country and leave turned off while in Japan.  If you are staying for a while, pick up a phone while there.

Reference Books

The Tokyo City Atlas – a must purchase.  Make sure you get the latest version.  Japanese Phrase Book & Dictionary – another must purchase. I bought the Berlitz version, and am quite happy with it. 

Side note: you CAN get by without speaking Japanese. I strongly urge you to know the basics (greetings and expressions of gratitude), but otherwise, the Japanese understand the international language of gesturing and the body (although do so delicately).

Your Itinerary

In order to maximize your time in Tokyo, prepare a list of places you wish to visit beforehand.  You will likely have Internet access arranged for your use in your hotel room, but you do not wish to spend more than a little time each night researching where things are.

Before you go, research research research!

Consider the following:

• sightseeing locales (temples, shrines, museums, parks, onsen, clubs, restaurants, theatre, entertainments and so on)
• hard core shopping (where are all the shops in the various areas of Tokyo you want to visit, and what are their hours?)
• organized tours (perhaps take a tour)
• friends (do you have any in Tokyo? — make sure you have their information)
• festivals (what is going on in Tokyo at that time?)

I always mock up an itinerary.  I know full well that I won’t get around to doing everything on my list (these are pushed off to the next visit), but I am certainly never lacking for things to do.  Be organized.  Mark the difference between intractable activities (scheduled at a specific date and time such as a theatre or art showing), and casual activities (temples, shrines, parks and so on).

I cannot emphasize this enough — know when places are open and closed.  Note the hours of operation.  I felt like a right idiot standing outside of Volks in Shinjuku two hours before they opened!  It’s amazing how most shops really don’t open until late morning.  Make notes!