Page 141 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

SHOPPING IN T OK Y O  139

Markets Arcades and Malls
with delectable foods in the
basement, a wide range of Food markets provide an insight Many arcades and malls date
Western and Japanese into the Japanese enthusiasm from the postwar period and,
restaurants on the top floor, for food and cooking. The being generally located in
and every conceivable type basement food floor of a major downtown areas, are old-
of goods between. Some department store is a good fashioned in style and appear-
stores are known for certain place to start. ance. Along the approach to
commodities – Matsuya for A whole street of highly Senso-ji temple (see pp58–9)
top fashion brands and for visible plastic food and is an arcade of shops selling
Japanese crafts, quality kitchenware suppliers along a mixture of tourist souvenirs,
souvenirs, and furnishings; Kappabashi-dori (see p56) traditional crafts, snacks, and
Tokyu Hands for household creates the mood of a lively kitsch pop culture items.
goods, and Wako for watches market place along this well
and jewelry. The Marui 0101 patronized street. The ultimate
department store is the place market experience is Tsukiji Fish
to check out the edgier side Market (see p42); the area to the
of Japanese fashion. east is full of small restaurants
and shops with pungent crates
of wasabi (horseradish) and dried
Multi-Purpose fish hanging from storefronts.
Complexes
Roppongi Hills (see p71), with Convenience Stores
its high-end shopping options,
a prestigious art gallery, and Vending Machines
observation lounge, cinemas, Convenience stores (konbini) are
and live events, was the first easy to spot. They have catchy Fuji-Torii antique shop displaying pottery
of several multipurpose names such as 7-Eleven and
complexes. The Marunouchi AM-PM. Many people depend Antique Stores
and Flea Markets
Building in the Tokyo on these stores for more
Station area has turned than just foods, toilet ries, Flea markets, a Sunday-only
into a sky scraper and mag azines: they also institution, are often held in the
shopping, restaurant, book concert tickets and grounds of old shrines, adding
and office space. use ATMs and photo- extra interest. The Antique Mall
Shiodome, another copiers. The quality of Ginza is one of the largest shop-
shopping, office, and konbini food is surpris- ping malls in Asia specializing
residential nexus, seems ingly high and fresh. in antiques, with around 200
to grow exponentially Among the popular stores selling everything from
with each visit. The take-out food items vintage items, to kimonos,
shopping centerpiece Automatic vending are boxed lunches, imari porcelain bowls, and
of this millennium machine steamed buns, and cup even Western-style curios.
complex, Caretta noodles. Bever ages For more of a one-stop-shop
Shiodome, attracts a young include soft drinks, hot coffee, experience, the Oriental Bazaar
office crowd intent on keeping beer, and sake. Stores are often in Omotesando has genuine
up with the latest in clothing. open 24/7. A Tokyo fixture since and replica antique furniture,
Omotesando Hills (see p67) 1926, besides drinks and snacks, pottery, and a good deal more.
features many Japanese and vending machines dispense Nearby Fuji-Torii is known for
overseas designer stores. Tokyo batteries, flowers, eggs, the quality of its antiques,
Midtown houses several fashion underwear, disposable wood-block prints, tansu chests,
and lifestyle outlets. cameras, and even oxygen. scrolls, and lacquerware craft.
The market at Tomioka-
Hachimangu shrine, held on
the first two Sundays of the
month, is a lively event. With
over 250 stalls, Oedo Market is
the largest outdoor antique
market in Japan, specializing in
items from the Edo era. The
market takes place every first
and third Sunday of the month.
Closer to the cen ter, the market
at Hanazono Shrine, near
Shinjuku’s legend ary watering
hole Golden Gai (see p63), is
Beautiful glass building of Prada store, Aoyama open every Sunday.

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