Japan has always managed to leave us flabbergasted and in awe with their creative innovations and when you're in nippon land, you'll definitely have to check out some of them for yourself! So why not splurge a little yen and get yourselves some pretty unique gifts?
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P.S. If you're heading to Tokyo, don't forget to download our HHWT Travel Planner App available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android!☺️
1. Don Quijote
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What to expect: Ah, Don Quijote, commonly known to locals and frequent travellers to Japan as Donki. All those quirky Japanese inventions you’ve seen on your newsfeed probably came from Don Quijote. We’re talking cat ears that waggle when you’re happy, Michael Jackson masks that come in both black and white and marijuana-scented air fresheners. But of course, if you're looking for discounted household products, electronics, makeup, etc, Donki is your go-to place as well. It is a discount store after all! Plus it's an awesome place to get cheap yet unique gifts for friends. Even if you're not exactly looking to buy anything, Donki can pretty much be considered as an attraction on it's own.
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Opening hours: 1000 - 0500
Address: 4-3-3 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Akihabara outlet). Other outlets can be found here.
How to get there: From the Electric Town Exit at Akihabara, go straight then turn left at the traffic light and keep going. Turn right at the next traffic light you encounter and go straight. You’ll see Don Quijote to your left.
Website: http://www.donki.com/en (English)
2. Tokyu Hands
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What to expect: When we say you can get close to everything in Tokyu Hands, we're really not exaggerating. It's a huge lifestyle mega-store selling all sorts of merchandise including leather goods, packaged food, cookware and cutlery, bento boxes, stationery (see arts and crafts below), polaroid cameras, bicycles and MORE.
#HHWT Tip: There are a number of Tokyu Hands around Tokyo, but we recommend visiting either the Shinjuku outlet or the Shibuya (their very first outlet) store as these two outlets seem to have the largest variety. The outlet at Ikebukuro is also listed as a 'large store'.
Opening hours: 1000 - 2100
Address: Times Square Building 2-8F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Other stores here.
How to get there:: Alight at JR Shinjuku Station and take the New South Exit. Walk towards Takashimaya, Tokyu Hands is in the building.
3. Loft
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What to expect: Loft is another lifestyle mega-store selling everything under the sun. If you don't have much time in Tokyo, we recommend just heading to either Tokyu Hands or Loft as their offerings are pretty similar. Loft's branding however, is definitely targeted more at the younger crowd but if you ask us? We always make time to visit both Tokyu Hands and Loft ?
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#HHWT Tip: If you're already visiting Tokyu Hands in Shibuya, then head over to Loft as there's an outlet in the same area! Alternatively, you can head to the outlet in Ginza as the Muji flagship store is nearby as well.
Opening hours: 1000 - 2100
Address: 21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0042. Other stores here.
How to get there: Take the Hachiko Exit from JR Shibuya station and cross at the main crossing (Starbucks is ahead). Turn left and Loft is in the lane between the Seibu stores A and B.
So be a little unconventional and make your way down to these 3 places to scour for some awesome souvenirs. What's the quirkiest thing you've ever bought in Japan? Let us know in the comments below ☺️
P.S. Don't forget to download our HHWT Travel Planner App available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android!
