100 best shops in Tokyo

1. Delta...

Located in trendy residential area Yoyogi Uehara, Delta stocks young designers’ labels from Japan and abroad. The store was designed by architect Yuko Nagayama, who is known for her award-winning work on the Louis Vuitton Kyoto Daimaru store. Delta map and opening hours

2. Eva Fashion Art...

When your store is drawing in even fickle fashion-industry experts, you know you must be doing something right. This boutique, hidden on a side street near Hachiman-dori, stocks a range of vintage items (mostly by Maison), including antiques, revamps, lingerie, out-of-print art books and vintage European posters. It’s strictly womenswear, and carries some heavy-hitting labels such as Chanel, Hermès, YSL and Céline, as well as ’60s and ’70s retro wear. The interior has a modern Parisian charm to it, and manager Seiko Miyazaki switches the main display to a new theme every month to keep things fresh. Just how we like it. Eva Fashion Art map and opening hours

3. International Gallery Beams...

Amongst the diverse collection of Beams stores that line Meiji-dori, the one with the most elegant and luxurious ambience would have to be International Gallery Beams. The basement floor and first floor carry the women’s collections, and the second floor features items for men. This store offers the sophisticated shopper a look at the essence of Beams’s expert fashion selections, from established labels to the work of promising new designers. International Gallery Beams map and opening hours

4. The Contemporary Fix...

From past masters to promising newcomers, this gallery offers a wide range of inspiring art at its frequently rotating exhibits. Collectors will appreciate their appraisal and purchase guidance services. The Contemporary Fix map and opening hours

5. Grimoire...

Step into the surreal world of Grimoire, where chandeliers and decorative ornaments set the scene for a range of classical girly and cutesy vintage dresses. Located near Miyashita Park, Grimoire stocks vintage clothing from Europe and America, feminine accessories, Victorian-style items, original military wear, and accessories designed by the store’s owner Hitomi Nomura. Grimoire map and opening hours

6. Isetan Shinjuku...

Arguably the trendiest department store in Japan, Isetan Shinjuku is renowned for having its window displays created by leading artists and offers only the finest in food, clothing and homeware. It recently underwent a massive refurbishment – got to keep up with the times, of course. Isetan Shinjuku map and opening hours

7. Shibuya 109...

This landmark Shibuya store is the domain of the joshikousei – the fashion-obsessed teenage girls who don’t just follow trends but start them. Take a stroll around to see them in action and indulge in some amateur anthropology. Nearby 109 Men's is the male version. Shibuya 109 map and opening hours

8. Laila Tokio...

The futuristic decor, featuring 8,000 tiny pyramids, is just one thing to love about Laila Tokio. Lovers of classic and cutting-edge designer looks will relish in the hard-to-find designers’ archives such as Helmut Lang and Raf Simons. Look out for up-and-coming brand Hirschell, too. Laila Tokio map and opening hours

9. Super A Market...

Super A Market is one of the leading select stores in Tokyo. Launched by Tomorrowland in 2011, it offers a great selection of high-end fashion and beauty including brands such as Acne Studios, Dries Van Noten, Golden Goose and Isabel Marant. Super A Market map and opening hours

10. Gyre...

Gyre tries to get its patrons to ‘shop and think’. The atmosphere is ever-changing, making use of translucent black and white materials. In addition to a Bulgari shop, and a Bulgari café on the second floor, it’s the site of the first MoMA Design Store to open outside of New York City. Gyre map and opening hours

11. Garden...

This is the place to go if you want to check out high-end Japanese fashion brands shaping the current scene. Known for stocking up-and-coming labels, Garden introduces a fresh perspective on Tokyo’s men’s fashion. Look out for brands like Sasquatchfabrix and Sun Sea. Garden map and opening hours

12. 12XU...

Authentic and long-lasting casual menswear sourced from abroad, including brands such as Mark McNairy New Amsterdam, Norse Projects, B Store and Saturdays Surf NYC. Its sister store, Delta, is just on the opposite side of Yoyogi-Uehara Station. 12XU map and opening hours

13. Adam et Rope Wild Life Tailor Marunouchi...

Reminiscent of the kind of old-school haberdashery you might have visited when you were a kid, this concept store created by Adam et Rope' caters for the well-dressed gentleman, selling traditional tailored suits as well as on-trend casualwear. Adam et Rope Wild Life Tailor Marunouchi map and opening hours

14. Xanadu Tokyo...

Marking its 6th anniversary this year, Xanadu Tokyo is one of the few independent stores that actively supports young, relatively unknown Japanese labels such as Roggykei and Nyte. It’s full of neo-futuristic brands and definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something different. Xanadu Tokyo map and opening hours

15. Hankyu Men's Tokyo...

Fancy yourself a jetsetter? At Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, you’ll find all sorts of products for men, from high-end to casual fashion to leather goods and skincare, to suit your fast-paced lifestyle. Hankyu Men's Tokyo map and opening hours

16. Toga Harajuku ...

Elle calls Toga ‘Katy Perry’s go-to Japanese label’, and it’s not hard to understand why the brand created by Yasuko Furuta has been turning heads both at home and abroad. Toga presents sophisticated yet avant-garde garments and accessories for men and women and has shown at Paris and London fashion weeks. Toga Harajuku map and opening hours

17. Candy...

Epitomising Tokyo’s youth fashion culture, Candy is a popular haunt for young fashionistas and offers a wide range of labels from high-end international brands (J.W. Anderson and Valentino) to cutting-edge Japanese brands (99%IS- and Christian Dada). Candy map and opening hours

18. Sister...

Sister’s got sway among the young and fashion-conscious women of Tokyo. If cutting-edge is what you’re after, shop here for local and international brands like Carven, as well as vintage/used clothing from the ’40s and beyond. Sister map and opening hours

19. Pass the Baton...

Here you’ll find a grand selection of secondhand antiques, tableware, clothing and art items. Similarly to that of the flagship store at Marunouchi Brick Square, the interior was designed by Masamichi Katayama – founder of interior design company Wonderwall Inc. Pass the Baton map & opening hours

20. Roundabout...

Selecting sophisticated lifestyle goods from around the world – some handmade, some as old as 100 years – Roundabout is the go-to store for unique stationery, crockery, clothing, accessories and more. Its sister store, Outbound, is nearby too. Roundabout map and opening hours

21. Laboratory/Berberjin®...

From the heart of Harajuku, Laboratory Berberjin spreads American vintage love with hip-hop influenced items plus one very cool T-shirt collection for all those coveted old band tees. Laboratory/Berberjin® map and opening hours

22. N id...

Run by fashion distributor Dune, N id offers both understated and edgy labels with relaxed silhouettes, including Assembly New York, Edwina Hörl, Henrik Vibskov, Ffixxed and House of the Very Island’s. N id map and opening hours

23. Digawel...

Designer Kohei Nishimura is not shy on experimental cuts and his interesting silhouettes, which he says are influenced by music and street culture, have made Digawel one of the top Japanese menswear brands of the moment. His store is situated in a quiet part of Yutenji, a popular residential area for creatives. Digawel map and opening hours

24. Mannen-ya...

Look for the giant turtle painted on a flashy yellow building and you'll be on the doorstep of this 50-year-old store that sells everything from knickerbockers and jika-tabi (work shoes) to hot-pink helmets and Hello Kitty items. Mannen-ya map and opening hours

25. Icon...

Guided by the creative hand of Eiji Hatanaka, Icon is a great concept store in Omotesando. Stocking high-end fashion, the store employs the theme ‘House’ and regularly collaborates with influential designers and artists, providing them with ‘rooms’ in which to express their creativity. Wander through the living room, dining room, library and so on and find pieces by 3.1 Phillip Lim, J.W. Anderson, Krisvanassche and more. Icon map and opening hours