Researched guide · Checked on Nov 1, 2026
What should you bring home from Tokyo, and where should you buy it? From kitchen knives and ceramics to sweets, stationery and anime goods, here is where to shop for each kind of souvenir, with links to our area guides.
Quick answer
Food gifts: department store food halls (depachika) and Tokyo Station. Kitchenware and knives: Kappabashi near Asakusa. Anime and games: Akihabara and Ikebukuro.
Many shops offer tax-free shopping for visitors. Check the current rules in our money guide.
| What to buy | Where to look | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Sweets and food gifts | Depachika food halls, Tokyo Station | Depachika, Ginza and Tokyo Station |
| Knives, ceramics, chopsticks | Kappabashi Kitchenware Town | See below |
| Traditional snacks and crafts | Nakamise-dori in Asakusa, Yanaka Ginza | Asakusa, Yanaka |
| Anime, games and characters | Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Tokyo Character Street | Akihabara, Ikebukuro |
| Vintage clothing and records | Shimokitazawa | Shimokitazawa |
| Fashion | Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya, Ginza | Harajuku, Shibuya |
Kappabashi Kitchenware Town
Between Asakusa and Ueno, Kappabashi has about 160 shops selling Japanese knives, lacquerware, ceramics and professional kitchen tools, and most are open to the public. Look out for the shops selling realistic plastic food samples: sushi magnets and food-themed phone cases are popular souvenirs, along with noren curtains, cups and chopstick rests. It is an easy walk from Asakusa.
Food gifts
- Depachika: beautifully wrapped sweets, tea and snacks in department store basements. Ideal for gifts. See our depachika guide.
- Tokyo Station: shops inside and under the station sell boxed sweets made for travelers, and Tokyo Character Street is next to Tokyo Ramen Street.
- Convenience stores: good for cheap snacks to try before you buy in bulk. See convenience stores in Tokyo.
- Check your home country’s rules on bringing in food, especially meat and fresh products.
Traditional crafts
- Nakamise-dori, Asakusa: fans, folding goods, sweets and souvenirs on the way to Senso-ji.
- Asakusabashi: small workshops making goods from wood, glass and leather. See our Ryogoku guide.
- Kagurazaka: kimono fabrics, ceramics and traditional cosmetics. See our Kagurazaka guide.
Tips for shopping
- Tax-free: bring your passport. You pay the full price and get the tax back after the customs check when you leave Japan. See our money guide.
- Knives: pack them in checked luggage, never in your carry-on.
- Too much to carry? Send bags or purchases ahead with a delivery service. See luggage in Tokyo.
- Opening hours: many shops open around 10 or 11 am. Small shops may close one day a week.
Shopping for snacks and souvenirs late at night? See Don Quijote in Tokyo.
FAQ
What are the best souvenirs from Tokyo?
Popular choices are boxed sweets and tea from department store food halls, Japanese knives and ceramics from Kappabashi, traditional crafts from Asakusa, and anime and character goods from Akihabara or Ikebukuro.
Where can I buy Japanese knives in Tokyo?
Kappabashi Kitchenware Town, between Asakusa and Ueno, has many shops selling Japanese knives and kitchen tools. Pack knives in checked luggage.
Can tourists shop tax-free in Tokyo?
Yes, at participating shops with your passport, when you spend ¥5,000 or more (before tax) in one shop on one day. You pay the full price and the tax is refunded after the customs check at departure. Keep the goods in your hand luggage until then.
Where can I buy food gifts in Tokyo?
Department store food halls (depachika) and the shops in and under Tokyo Station have wrapped sweets and snacks made for gifts.
Keep reading
Sources
Shop information in this guide comes from the official source below and our area guides (checked October 18, 2026). Shop hours change, so please check before you go.
