Un gran ejemplo de la planificación y la genialidad japonesas, Odaiba es una isla artificial ubicada en la Bahía de Tokio. El nombre 'Odaiba' tiene origen en la red de seis islas artificiales construidas en 1853 por Egawa Hidetatsu con el fin de proteger la ciudad de Edo, el antiguo nombre de Tokio, del comodoro estadounidense Matthew Perry, cuya flota de Barcos Negros resultaba una amenaza inmediata. En tiempos modernos, la isla llegó a convertirse en una gran atracción para todos los que buscan entretenimiento y diversión. Vale destacar que la isla resistió el colapso económico de Japón además de otras adversidades. En la actualidad, Odaiba ofrece una amplia variedad de tiendas, restaurantes y destinos de entretenimiento, además de ser el hogar de una réplica de la Estatua de la Libertad, que se alza gloriosa con el Puente Arcoíris de fondo.
Inaugurado en 9135, el histórico mercado de pescado de Tsukiji logró crear toda un área exterior gracias a su inmensa popularidad. Conocido localmente como el Mercado Exterior de Tsukiji, este emblema lleno de vitalidad ofrece una inmensa variedad de opciones como productos frescos, pescado, utensilios y comida lista para degustar. El mercado surgió de la necesidad de satisfacer la demanda de los clientes minoristas, quienes inicialmente tenían el ingreso prohibido al mercado ya que únicamente se vendía al por mayor. Si bien el histórico mercado interior ha cerrado sus puertas, todavía se puede vivir esta experiencia cultural única en el Mercado Exterior.
Maruzen es una de las principales cadenas de librerías de todo Japón. La tienda de Nihonbashi es la principal de la cadena y se encuentra en el corazón de Tokio, cerca del Palacio Imperial. Maruzen cuenta con una colección bastante abultada de títulos en inglés y, por supuesto, una colección sinigual de libros, CD-ROMs y filminas en japonés. También encontrarán una amplia selección de periódicos y diarios en inglés y japonés. Los amantes de la fotografía se volverán locos con la inmensa variedad de libros sobre fotografía y artes visuales en inglés.
Akihabara hace referencia al lado este de la región especial de Chiyoda en Tokio. Un punto de encuentro vibrante y muy de moda, a menudo se lo llama la "Ciudad Eléctrica" debido a la altísima concentración de tiendas en las que podrán encontrar cualquier cosa que sea electrónica. Vengan a encontrar los más recientes juegos de video, aparatos, iPods y cámaras en Yodobashi Akiba, una tienda insignia de varios pisos, o recorran el Tokyo Animation Center, donde podrán asistir a las proyecciones y demostraciones de juegos y animación. Prácticamente todas las tiendas de la zona venden productos electrónicos así que las posibilidades para los amantes de la tecnología no tienen límites. Sin embargo, lo que hace de Akihabara un lugar híper famoso es su vínculo con la cultura otaku, un término que abarca el amor inmenso de la gente por el anime y el manga. Por eso no sorprende que los negocios, los edificios y hasta las veredas de la zona exhiban toda clase de imágenes relacionadas con este estilo de entretenimiento.
Established as a replacement for the Tsukiji Fish Market, the bustling Toyosu Market combines the old-school charm of its predecessor with a contemporary flair that is characteristic of Japan's capital. Overlooking the pristine waters of Tokyo Bay, this expansive market was first inaugurated in 2018 and since then, it has served as the go-to destination for delectable seafood and traditional specialties for locals and tourists alike. Sprawled over an area of 408,000 square meters ((4,391,675 square feet), the complex comprises a variety of stalls and shops purveying a wide range of food items, vegetables and fruits, as well as souvenirs and other enticing goods. The market's second floor features a viewing deck that enables visitors to survey all the activity unfolding below, while a rooftop offers an opportunity to soak in the city's stunning landscape. Those wishing to sample some tasteful local dishes can head to one of the many restaurants that form a part of the market.
Landmark Tower is located in the ultra modern Minato Mirai 21 development on Yokohama's waterfront. It is Yokohama's showcase community of sleek high-rise buildings, ultramodern shopping malls, museums, hotels, convention centers, office buildings, and homes. There's even an amusement park with a huge Ferris Wheel that's perfect for sightseeing. As Japan's tallest skyscraper, Landmark Tower is the centerpiece for Minato Mirai 21 and is home to the Yokahama Royal Park Hotel Nikko, the Sky Garden Observatory, Landmark Mall with 190 shops and boutiques, a medical clinic, 48 floors of office space, a 230-meter moving walkway that connects Landmark Tower with Sakuragi-cho Station, and three floors of underground parking that accommodates 1,400 cars! Landmark Tower also features one of Japan's important cultural properties, the Dockyard Garden—an authentic replica of the stone dockyard originally constructed in 1896. This is a playful reproduction with scores of restaurants "hidden" behind the huge stone blocks of the drydock.
Spread out in a large white open space, with shirts and sweaters on a long table in the center and the more individual styles on racks along the walls, you may feel a little self-conscious browsing here. But it is worth checking out this big brand-name store. On the one hand, Yamamoto's style is romantic and plush, and on the other, simple and stylish.
Tokyo Tocho, Tokyo City Hall's two towers, have become the best places to view Tokyo. There is a free observation level in both of the towers and the gift shop is located on that floor in the North tower. The souvenirs are standard, but quite cute in their own cheesy manner. You can buy Tokyo City Hall mobile phone straps, key rings, sweets and even mini chocolate eclairs. All packaging has an image of the Tokyo City Hall and of course TOKYO is printed somewhere on everything.
Over the past few years a new breed of shops has arrived in Tokyo. They are called "c" shops because everything they sell, or almost everything, costs just one hundred yen. Most of these shops stock the same goods: stationery, kitchen utensils, detergents and soaps, and accessories. But there are subtle differences in these shops and each has its own distinct character. Hyaku-en Merugard offers two things that most of these shops do not. The first is simply friendliness. The couple who run the shop are extremely patient with non-Japanese speaking customers and very willing to help them find what they want. The other thing is a clothing reform service. If you need something repaired, just drop it off and they will do the rest.
Kanto & Co. is a first-class tobacconist located in Yokohama's shopping tribute to California, MyCal Honmoku. Kanto & Co. carries a wide assortment of the domestic JT, Japan Tobacco, cigarette brands. They also carry a nice selection of imported cigarettes from Turkey, England, and Europe. Kanto & Co. has a fine selection of cigars in a wide price range. They also cater to pipe smokers, with a large selection of pipes and pipe tobaccos, and carry an assortment of small articles appreciated by smokers, such as lighters, lighter fluid, cigarette rolling papers, pipe cleaners, and so on.
Spread over two spacious floors dripping with elegance, this shop has the look of the lobby of a five-star hotel, with prices to match. Original bags with a bold yet tasteful 'K' emblazoned on the front are Kitamura's trademark. Be prepared to walk out with your bag a little lighter as prices are high for some crocodile goods. At any moment the surprisingly large number of staff may outnumber the customers, and they are quite helpful.
So how excited can you feel about paper? A lot, if you happen to be in the Paper Nao shop. They offer approximately 250 varieties of paper, in a host of colors and textures. The people running the store will give you a good deal of information about the varities of paper available. Learn details of fiber used in making the paper including whether it is hand-made or machine-made, type of drying done, type of cooking as part of processing. Do visit it even if it is out of plain curiosity.