STORY Ginza Shopping Guide Visit Tokyo's shopping mecca for the latest in fashion

Ginza and Yurakucho, two bustling shopping districts, are lined with world-renowned department stores and name-brand shops catering to those with sophisticated tastes. There are also many upmarket, long-established restaurants and bars nearby. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the main streets are closed to cars, making the area a relaxing place to shop and stroll.

The large commercial complex Yurakucho ITOCiA was built in front of Yurakucho Station in 2007. It houses fashion boutiques, specialty dining venues, and movie theaters. Nearby is the Tokyo International Forum , a multi-purpose exhibition center. Drop by the Kotsu Kaikan, situated in front of Yurakucho Station, for tips on where to go and what to do in the area.

Bic Camera, an electronics megastore, has a major store just in front of Yurakucho Station. Stop by to understand why this electronics wonderland has become a Japanese institution. It sells every household device you could imagine, from washing machines to hair curlers and a wide range of special, only-in-Japan technology. They even sell snacks and alcohol. Some staff may speak English, Chinese or Korean, making finding the right product much easier for those who don't understand Japanese.

Ginza is home to two historic department stores — Mitsukoshi, founded in 1673, and Matsuya, founded in 1869. They remain today and are great places to visit if you're seeking a quintessential Japanese shopping experience. Both feature a range of Japanese goods and brands, making them the perfect place to find chic souvenirs. They both focus particular attention on their basement food courts where you will find an exclusive collection of international delicacies.

This was the first Apple store to open in Japan. The eighth-floor structure of stainless steel and glass is easy to spot among the neighboring designer stores. It is possible try Apple's latest innovative products or get tips from the expert English-speaking staff.

In the Ginza and Yurakucho districts, there are more than twenty shops that sell local products from each region in Japan. They cater to a Japanese clientele as much as tourists — it's almost like taking a mini-tour of Japan. The Kotsu Kaikan in front of Yurakucho Station houses more than ten shops including Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza, which sells specialties from Hokkaido . The Ginza Washita Shop in Ginza is known for its rare Okinawan food and cosmetics.

Mujirushi Ryohin, or MUJI, as it is known to the outside world, is famous for its monochromatic simplistic designs and cheap yet high-quality home goods. Stop here to find items not available at its international branches. Its world's largest flagship, Muji Ginza, has almost 4,000 square meters of floor space. It includes a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal and drink.

This toy emporium has an impressive inventory of some hundreds of thousands of toys as well as a duty-free counters on floors B1, 2, 3, and 4. The basement floor, or Fashion Doll Park, is dedicated entirely to dolls and doll accessories. The floors are arranged by type. On the first floor, you can find unique souvenirs, like smartphone cases and other goods. The second floor has stuffed toys, the third educational toys, and the fourth games, hobby goods and puzzles.

This trendy commercial complex houses a multitude of Japanese and international fashion and home brands. The fifth through ninth floors of Marronnier Gate Ginza 1 are home to the Tokyu Hands department store, a shop that sells an impressive variety of goods, from Japanese designed stationery and electronics to imported cleaning products and cosmetics. You can find a variety of restaurants on the 10th through 12th floors.

Those looking for something a little more wallet-friendly should stop by Ginza's outpost of GU, Uniqlo's cheaper sister store. This is one of the largest GUs in Japan. The first three floors are dedicated to women's clothes, with children's clothes on the third floor, sportswear on the fourth and menswear on the fifth.

If you're looking to splash out on some true luxury shopping, put aside an afternoon to visit GINZA SIX, a state-of-the-art shopping mall opened in 2017. It is home to flagship stores of such luxury brands as Kenzo, Yves Saint Laurent Beauté and Fendi. There are also 20 restaurants and cafes, a Noh theater and a large garden on the rooftop. It is very foreign-friendly, with a tourist information center, duty-free services and a currency exchange kiosk.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website