Since as early as the 1600s when the Mitsukoshi department store was just a humble kimono shop, Tokyoites have had a fondness for shopping. As the years have passed that penchant has only got stronger – expanding and diversifying to meet the eclectic mix of shopping subcultures here.

The department stores of Ginza still retain a soft spot in the older generation’s hearts but younger crowds are moving away from this scene – seeking the latest looks from the streets of Shibuya and Harajuku. Designer brands are popular and shopping malls in areas like Roppongi and Omotesandō have opened up to provide one-stop shopping for a wealthy crowd.

Those looking for a bargain are still well catered for. On weekends, at various locations in the city, vendors set up temporary stands selling second-hand goods at flea markets, or antiques at one of the antiques fairs. Permanent markets like Ameyoko also offer some cheaper clothing and food finds. You’ll quickly find that each district within this urban sprawl has a distinct character of all its own.