The annual discount season in Tokyo is in July and August, 12- 1. During this period, it can often be purchased at a price of 50% or even lower, especially at the end of the year, and various preferential packages and blessing bags will be launched. Shoppers should not miss it.
Popular shopping circle
There are many shopping areas in Tokyo, among which the following are the most popular. Visitors can choose one or two according to their accommodation and interests; If you come shopping, you can also visit all these business districts.
List of characteristics of each business district
1. Shinjuku Business Circle
Features: comprehensive one-stop shopping, price close to the people.
Must buy: cosmeceuticals, clothing.
Shinjuku business district is the largest business district in Tokyo, and major Japanese department stores have buildings in Shinjuku, among which OIOI Marui and Lumine are unique to Japan, so you must go! It is also an important transportation hub. You need to go to many places around Tokyo by bus in Shinjuku. At the same time, kabukicho Street, which is famous for its nightlife, is also located in Shinjuku.
2. Ginza Business Circle
Features: luxury high-end first-line brand
Must buy: Uniqlo
Ginza is the most prosperous downtown area in Tokyo, with a superior geographical position, close to the Japanese Imperial Palace. Known as "the most expensive place in Asia", it symbolizes the prosperity of Japan. There are many specialty stores, department stores and nightclubs here. At night, colorful neon lights change greatly, which is another "night ginza" scenery.
3. Akihabara Business Circle
Features: animation surrounding, small electrical mall
Must buy: buy local brands such as Sony, Nikon and Casio.
Akihabara is a gathering place for anime fans in Tokyo. There are all kinds of animation artists here, and you can see rows of "egg-twisting walls" along the way, which are suitable for all kinds of animation lovers to collect. In addition, Akihabara has various electrical stores, and the prices of small electrical appliances such as Canon, Sony and Nikon in Japan are very affordable. If you want to experience the "maid restaurant" with Japanese characteristics, you must belong to Akihabara, and you can feel another culture in Tokyo.
4. Omotesando Hills Mountain Business Circle
Features: fashion, trend and sense of design.
Must buy: fashion brand, fashion
Mount Omotesando Hills is synonymous with Tokyo fashion. Compared with the prosperity and luxury of Ginza, there is a low-key high-end here. Shops full of fashion sense and design sense are all over Omotesando Hills Mountain. At the same time, it is also a "designer" road. Many buildings in Mount Omotesando Hills are masterpieces of Japanese architects. Even if you don't shop, it is an artistic edification to come here to see the works of masters.
Mount Omotesando Hills is not far from Shibuya and Harajuku. Harajuku is a lovely and youthful student, and Shibuya is also a favorite place for young people in Tokyo. Compared with Omotesando Hills Mountain, it is more affordable and grounded, and you can visit three places in one day.
5. Ikebukuro Business Circle
Ikebukuro is a low-cost consumer in Tokyo, and the price is relatively lower. It is more appropriate to buy small items such as medicine and cosmetics. There is also a saying in Tokyo that "the north is poor and the south is rich", so it is very cost-effective to buy things in Ikebukuro, where prices are relatively low. It is suggested to focus on "Matsumoto Store" and "LOFT".
Features: fair-price groceries
Must buy: cosmeceuticals, zakka groceries
Tourists love to buy.
1. Japanese cosmeceuticals
What is cosmeceutical?
Cosmeceutical is a concept introduced from abroad, which refers to skin care products with certain functions. In short, cosmeceuticals can not only modify and conceal the basic functions, but also improve the skin condition. But in Japan, a cosmeceutical shop means "a shop that sells both medicines and cosmetics".
Why is Japanese cosmeceuticals famous?
Japan has strict regulations on cosmeceuticals, and the ingredients of cosmeceuticals in Japan are transparent and relatively safe.
There are many kinds of cosmeceuticals in Japan, and there are products for different skin types. Compared with European and American skin care products, it is more suitable for Asian skin.
Affordable, the average person can consume. And from cheap to high-end prices, it is convenient for consumers to choose. What Japanese cosmeceuticals are worth buying?
There are many brands of cosmeceuticals in Japan, but if you look closely, you will find that many of them belong to a group. The most common ones are Shiseido, Kao, SK-II, Kose and Kenabo. It basically covers 70% of the beauty and skin care products in the Japanese market. Every company will have its own "explosion models", from low price to high end. The quality of these brands can stand the test and the prices are much cheaper than those in China. You can choose according to your skin condition and trial situation, and don't blindly follow suit.
Where can I buy cosmeceuticals in Tokyo?
Tokyo pharmacies can be seen everywhere, as frequently as domestic supermarkets. In Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Akihabara, shops marked with "_" can basically buy Japanese popular cosmeceuticals, the most famous of which is Ito Matsumoto, but because of its high popularity, it is often out of stock. High-end skin care products such as SK-II, ALBION and Polaroid need to be purchased in shopping malls.
2. Medicines and daily necessities
Why are medicines and daily necessities worth buying?
Japan's review of drugs is very strict. Many drugs at home are very effective, and some drugs are very creative and convenient (for example, liquid band-aid has been well received by tourists, and it has become one of tourists' favorite products. Daily necessities have become tourists' favorite because of humanized design, exquisite packaging and low price.
What medicines and daily necessities are worth buying?
The most common types are as follows:
Plaster Pain patch, foot patch, antipyretic tablet, etc. They are all medicines with good reputation. The most common brands are Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, Dazheng Pharmaceutical and Kao.
Eye drops. There are many kinds of eye drops in Japan, with different levels of irritation and coolness, as well as eye drops suitable for wearing contact lenses, which have various functions and become popular commodities.
Oral pills. In addition to skin care products, Japanese brands such as DHC and Fangke also have many oral health care products, such as vitamin pills. Recently, pola's whitening pill has also been sought after by Chinese people.
Maternal and child products. Kao diapers in Japan, thermos cups for chefs and medicines for infants are the favorite of domestic mothers.
The basic category of life. In addition to various drugs, Japanese oral products also have a good reputation, such as kissyou toothbrush and propolinse mouthwash.
3. Japanese clothing
Fashion trends in Japan are changing rapidly, and clothing brands are extremely rich. Both the student party and the white-collar workers can find their own brands here, and those who like Taobao collocation will not be disappointed. In addition to style, wearing comfort is also a major selling point of Japanese clothing, with good quality, which is the favorite of tourists who pursue cost performance.
Where can I buy Japanese clothes?
In every popular business district in Tokyo, there are large shopping centers or department stores, where you can buy brand fashion clothes. In addition, some independent shops and second-hand retro shops can often find unique clothes.
Most Japanese retro shops are concentrated in Omotesando Hills Mountain, Shimonoseki Tianze, Harajuku and other places, many of which are hidden in the depths of alleys and need to be scoured.
Recommended women's wear brands that Tokyo will lose.
In fact, these brands are found in many cities in China. It is strongly recommended to buy in Japan, mainly because the price in Tokyo is lower, which is usually 30% or even 50% off in China. The second is that the styles are more diverse, many with Japanese characteristics.
1. Uniqlo (Japanese clothing brand name)
Although it can be seen everywhere in China, the price in Japan is about 20% or even lower than that in China, and the styles are more abundant than that in China. Uniqlo has the world's largest Ginza flagship store in Tokyo, and Haneda Airport Store has the most favorable price.
2.Muji
China tourists love Japanese brands, which are simple and environmentally friendly. The main reason why they must buy it in Japan is that it is cheap, and the prices of various commodities are equivalent to 50% discount in China.
3. Earth Music Ecology
Girls who are familiar with and love the forest department will be familiar with this brand. This brand, nicknamed eme by fans, is the first brand in Japan's natural department, and its fresh and natural style is sought after by many young girls. Many physical counters have been opened in China, but the prices are high; If you buy it in Japan, the price will be much cheaper.
4.Snidel
Snidel is the first brand of popular girls in Li Meihui, a Japanese fashion magazine, and it became popular under the recommendation of popular supermodels such as Lena Fujii, Ye Sha and Lihua. Dressing style is sweet and soft, which is necessary for many soft girls' wardrobes. Compared with the high domestic price, the price in Japan is more cost-effective.
4. Japanese small household appliances
Why buy small household appliances in Tokyo?
Local products are very cheap. Many electrical appliances are made in Japan, especially digital cameras. Sony, Canon and Panasonic are all famous electrical appliances brands in Japan.
The design is humanized and high in technology. Humanization of Japanese design is an internationally recognized fact, and many products have won international design awards. For example, the "toilet lid" snapped up by China people is one of the manifestations of Japanese humanized design.
Good quality and durability. Recommended hot appliances
digital camera
Cameras and mobile phones are digital products that many tourists must enter in Japan. The most famous camera brands on the market are all made in Japan. If there is a demand, it is better to buy it in Tokyo.
Meili small household appliances
Tokyo is definitely a shopping Little Paradise for women who love beauty. You can find all kinds of novel beauty appliances here. In addition to Panasonic hair dryers and curling irons with excellent word-of-mouth effect, 24k gold bars, Hitachi N4000 and Refa slimming instrument recommended by stars in recent years are definitely the new favorites of women who love beauty in the new era.
5. Japanese snacks
When it comes to Japanese snacks, many people can't help getting high, because those snacks with high value and good taste are really refreshing. Even people who don't usually eat snacks can't resist their temptation. For example, Pocky, Meiji and Buerjia, which are also well-known in China, as well as Royce raw chocolate, French fries, white lovers, Liuhua Pavilion and so on. China people buy more in Japan, as well as ethnic snacks such as Mushroom Mountain and Sunzi Village. Rich varieties make people who are usually decisive suffer from choice phobia.
When you arrive in Tokyo, naturally don't let go of those snacks that can only be bought in Tokyo. Banana cake in Tokyo and sandwich eggs in tamaya, Ginza are both popular limited snacks in Tokyo.
Meiji meiji
Meiji is a famous food brand in Japan. Snow kiss, Galbo chocolate and macadamia nut chocolate were very popular snacks in Meiji period. Although it can also be bought in China, the variety is limited. Come to Japan to explore more kinds that you can't buy at home.
Kiki Kiki chocolate
Although it is not a unique brand in Japan, there are surprisingly many flavors in Japan, such as royal milk tea flavor, wine flavor, wave soda flavor, watermelon flavor, shredded sweet potato flavor, ginger soda flavor, wheat whirlwind flavor, vegetable flavor and so on.
Small chocolate has also collided with various Japanese specialties, such as: Uji matcha flavor, Kyoto roasted tea flavor, Kobe pudding flavor, Shizuoka mustard flavor, Yokohama strawberry cheese flavor, Hokkaido adzuki flavor, Hokkaido roasted corn flavor, Hokkaido milk flavor, Okinawa Kyushu purple potato flavor and Xinzhou apple flavor.
Tokyo naturally has its own unique taste, such as raisin rum; Friends who like novelty hunting can also try Tokyo's soy sauce flavor limit.
6. Animation environment
Tokyo is called the paradise of otaku. Akihabara, Ikebukuro and Nakano are home to a large number of animation chain stores, comic book stores and second-hand shops. Two-dimensional lovers will definitely not want to come to Tokyo again. Girls who like all kinds of cartoon images can't miss the cute shop in Tokyo. In the underground street and Sky Tree Market of Tokyo Station, you can find specialty stores including Relaxed Bear, Hellokitty, Totoro and Moomin. In addition, Kiddyland, a toy store in Harajuku, is definitely the base camp of cute things.
Tokyo tax rebate strategy
1. Tax refund conditions
In Japan, the government must levy a consumption tax of 8% of the payment, while travelers with short-term visas can get cash tax rebates for non-local consumer goods.
From 20 16, 1 May, consumables and general commodities will be classified as 5000 yen (more than 300 RMB) duty-free. As long as you buy more than 5000 yen, you can apply for tax refund.
2. Tax refund method
The two most common tax refund methods for shopping in Tokyo:
Direct tax refund when checking out. This is the most convenient. Basically, as long as you spend more than 5000 yen, you can apply for tax exemption in pharmacies or electrical stores.
Go to the special tax refund counter. This method is common in major shopping malls. When you check out, you need to pay in full, and then go to the counter dedicated to tax refund for tax refund. Tax refund process
You need to bring your passport. After applying to the store, the store will follow the process. Generally, after deducting the handling fee of 65438+ 0% of the total price, the cash will be returned directly or deducted from the payable amount. The whole process takes about 5-65,438+00 minutes.
Step 3: Practical Skills
The difference between Japan and Europe is that Japanese airports do not apply for tax refund.
When shopping in some drugstores or large electrical appliances stores, as long as you show your passport, the merchant will sell the goods directly to you at the duty-free price, and there is no need to go through the tax refund formalities.
According to the current regulations in Japan, goods purchased duty-free are not allowed to be opened and used in China. Although there is no mandatory inspection at the airport, please keep the relevant receipts.
When shopping, be sure to bring the original passport and keep the shopping receipt.