Shopping & Lifestyle

Best Souvenir Stores Near Tokyo Station: Japanese Specialties and Character Goods

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There are many attractive souvenir stores around Tokyo Station. In shopping malls and specialty stores, you can find goods with popular characters, Tokyo-exclusive products, regional specialties, and other items that make great souvenirs. Visit the stores recommended by Editor-in-Chief Marei from VISIT CHIYODA to find that special item to add to your travel memories!

Recommended Local Products with the Spirit of Hometown Love: “Another Japan”

“Another Japan,” which we introduced in a previous article, has undergone an exciting renewal as it enters its third year. (See past article here: https://visit-chiyoda.com/another-japan/)

The store’s storefront. The barcode design appears to represent each of Japan’s prefectures. What a nice design!

Another Japan is a select store run by active students. These students, from various regions across Japan, handle everything from business negotiations with artists and producers to store development, promotion, customer service, and design. The products sold include food, crafts, and clothing, and some of the items selected by the students with their fresh sense of style can only be purchased in Tokyo.

Shelf layout from outside, inviting you to stop by the store

For the past two years, the store has replaced all the products every two months. However, from the 8th of this month, they’ve begun a special exhibition every three weeks and a permanent exhibition featuring products from all 47 prefectures. The store now boasts approximately 650 excellent items curated by students from all over Japan. When combined with products from special exhibitions focusing on specific regions or towns, the store always offers a wide selection of around 800 items.

(top left) Ceramic animals handmade by an artist in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture; (top right) Highly confidential Paulownia wood boxes from Saitama Prefecture, perfect for storing coffee beans and tea leaves; (bottom left) Everyday items in pop colors; (bottom right) Akabeko, a red cow from Fukushima Prefecture

I visited the store on the second day of its reopening. The areas featured in the limited-time exhibition were the Seto Inland Sea area, “Shimanami Kaido,” and “Sabae” in Fukui Prefecture.

“Another Shimanami,” a special exhibition featuring the Seto Inland Sea area
Ms. Yukiho Yamamoto from Okayama Prefecture, who was in charge of this project. They chose mainly lemon products, but also grape juice and wine, which have been gaining popularity lately.
“Another Sabae,” a special exhibition featuring Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture. The “twotone bag,” which can be carried in various ways, has a lovely color scheme!

The student Noko Suzuki (who was among the first round of students chosen for this project) lived in Sabae for several months, interacting with locals and local artists, which deepened her love and connection to her hometown. As a result, the store features products you won’t find anywhere else.

(Left) A diagram of the people the students met there; (Right) Pamphlets and tourist information for those who want to visit Sabae after seeing the store’s products

I love this store because it offers so many things I’d love to have as gifts, souvenirs, or just for myself.

Another Japan

https://another-japan.shop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/another_jpn_tt/
Zenigame Place, 1F Zenibeicho Building, 2-6-3 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/HhaonTv2BJe3awpXA
Nearest Stations: Tokyo Station, Otemachi Station, Mitsukoshimae Station, Nihonbashi Station

Everyone’s Favorite Characters at Tokyo Station! Tokyo Character Street

At the entrance of “Tokyo Character Street”

Pokemon, Rilakkuma, Hello Kitty, Ultraman, Crayon Shin-chan: Tokyo Character Street is a shopping area where around 30 stores sell goods featuring popular Japanese characters, beloved by adults and children alike. One of the main attractions is the abundance of limited-edition goods available exclusively here!

One of the most popular stores is “Donguri Republic,” which carries many products from Studio Ghibli, world-famous for its animation. From plush toys and practical household items to bags, accessories, picture books, and limited-edition items, you’ll find something perfect for you!

So many stuffed animals! ©︎ Studio Ghibli
When I bought two types of brooches, I got the characters San from “Princess Mononoke” and Totoro from “My neighbor Totoro”.

Shochiku Kabukiya Honpo offers a variety of Japanese goods, especially Kabuki-themed items. Colorful tenugui (hand towels) are convenient and affordable, making them perfect for small gifts.

The “tenugui” towel corner is really nice!. They feature a wide variety of patterns, from Kabuki actors and famous oiran (courtesan) to cute Japanese patterns!

There are many more interesting stores to explore on Tokyo Character Street. The space is directly connected to the station, allowing you to shop without worrying about the weather. You can easily lose track of time while enjoying all that this vibrant shopping area offers.

Tokyo Character Street

https://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/tokyocharacterstreet/
Tokyo Station Ichibangai B1F, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/4yNXNGqq6yS6F4aX9 
Nearest Stations: Tokyo Station, Otemachi Station

Mizuno Dyeing Factory Hibiya OKUROJI Store: Experience Japan Blue Dyeing

Mizuno Dyeing Factory, established in 1907 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, is a specialty dyeing store and a long-established manufacturer of dyed goods such as large fishers flags, hanten (traditional Japanese coats), festival costumes, and noren (half curtains). The Tokyo store is located in Hibiya OKUROJI, a commercial facility under the train viaduct with over 100 years of history.

A variety of cute indigo-dyed accessories

Here, you’ll find original colorful tenugui hand towels, clothing, and accessories dyed in deep indigo colors. Depending on the dyeing method, indigo dyeing can create a chic or playful impression, making it a treasured art form in Japan. These items make excellent souvenirs and gifts.

In addition to selling indigo-dyed clothes, the store also offers a service to re-dye your own clothes in indigo.
Mizuno Dyeing Factory Hibiya OKUROJI Store

https://www.hanten.tokyo
Aizome Indigo Dyeing Experience Reservation Website (English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean):
https://www.hanten.tokyo/experience/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mizunosomekoujyo_okuroji/
Address: 1-7-1 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hPgLxkA7ZW6a9UVs6
Nearest Stations: Yurakucho Station, Hibiya Station, Ginza Station, Uchisaiwaicho Station

The World of Japanese Swords: Both Weapons and Works of Art at Ginza Seiyudo

Ginza Seiyudo is one of the largest Japanese sword stores in Japan, located on the second floor of Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan in Yurakucho. The store always has more than 200 swords, tsuba (sword guards), and samurai armor on display.

Japanese swords can be purchased without special qualifications. The starting price for a “modern sword” is between 200,000 and 230,000 yen, with shorter swords starting at 200,000 yen and longer swords costing around 500,000 yen.

Representative Director Shono shows me his valuable swords.

For those with a larger budget, Ginza Seiyudo offers high-end Japanese swords, which cost 30 to 40 million yen per piece. If you are looking for special items such as Japanese swords or tsuba, the expert staff at Ginza Seiyudo will assist you!

Beautifully carved tsuba, menuki in the shape of a dragon or shrimp, and gold collars (habaki).
Ginza Seiyudo

https://www.seiyudo.com/
http://world.seiyudo.com/ (English)
Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan 2F, 2-10-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZCCvT5peQuTrcEWm9
Access: Yurakucho Station, Ginza-itchome Station, Ginza Station, Hibiya Station

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