Where to buy souvenirs in Japan?

- Japan -

Japan is known as a paradise for shopping and lovers of all kinds of trinkets. And it really is: every time I come to Japan, my eyes go wide from the sheer number of shops selling all sorts of cosmetics, food, souvenirs, and other fun little things. If it weren't for the luggage weight limits, I'd probably buy up everything here!
In this short article, I'll tell you about 6 chain stores that you can find in Tokyo and some of Japan's other major cities, and that I visit every single time I'm in the country.

Loft

This is one of my favorite stores for picking up nice little things. Loft mostly sells stationery, but the variety is astonishing. There's a whole floor of pens alone! The flagship store of the chain is in Shibuya, but you'll find Loft popping up everywhere in Tokyo and other major cities, like Osaka.

Kadoma Loft, Osaka

Photo: Wikimedia

Don Quijote

Even people who've never been to Japan have heard of Don Quijote. It's one of the most famous chain stores, selling literally everything: from cosmetics and basic medicine to food and suitcases. Don Quijote will follow you everywhere — there are especially many of them in Tokyo. It's almost intimidating to walk into the flagship store in Shibuya: you can honestly spend an entire day in there.

Don Quijote, Higashiguchi, Tokyo

Photo: Wikimedia

Iwakura

If you're after chopsticks, jewelry, stones, and other traditionally Japanese items, this is the place to go. I really love the interior of their store: it's just so fun to look through the patterns of different stones and the colorful beads of the bracelets.

Iwakura, Aqua City Odaiba, Tokyo

Itoya

The best store for stationery, arts and crafts supplies, paper, souvenirs, and even tableware. The chain's largest store is in the Ginza district of Tokyo: it's a full 12 floors, each divided by theme. It's simply impossible not to buy something here!
Itoya stores can be found in several districts of Tokyo, as well as in Osaka.

Ginza Itoya, Tokyo

B-SIDE label

A store with a wide selection of waterproof (which matters!) stickers in all sorts of sizes and themes. Stores of this chain can be found in all major cities and popular tourist destinations across Japan. The B-SIDE Label section is also represented in Loft stores.

B-SIDE label, Kamakura

Mandarake

To all anime and manga lovers!
At this chain's stores, you can find manga editions — both fresh titles and rare finds. Besides manga, they also sell art books, collectible figures, and various anime-related souvenirs.

Mandarake Shibuya, Tokyo

This is just a small part of the places where you can pick up various keepsakes from your trip. It's physically impossible to cover them all, and if I told you about every single place, it would turn into a whole book rather than an article. Trust me, a visit to just one Don Quijote is enough to fill your entire suitcase!