100 best shops in Tokyo

51. Pop Life Department M's...

The creativity involved in Japan’s porn industry is on full display at this seven-floor sex goods shop next to Akihabara Station, and the best way to peruse their wares is slowly, from the top down. One of the most interesting things about a trip around M’s is just how normal it feels. Sure, you’ll find the occasional lurking weirdo, but it’s also particularly popular with young married couples. Pop Life Department M's map and opening hours

52. Daiso Harajuku...

Whether you're looking for household products or cheap souvenirs, you're sure to find what you need at this three-floor ¥100 shop, a prominent landmark on Harajuku's Takeshita-dori shopping street. Daiso makes life easier for international shoppers by offering floor guides in English as well as Japanese, while some of the staff can also speak English. Daiso Harajuku map and opening hours

53. Tomato...

From its name, you’d expect this five-floor store to sell, well, tomatoes. Instead, it sells fabric at wholesale prices. Around the neighbourhood, there are several branches stocking beads, accessories and other items. Tomato map and opening hours

54. Nakano Ropeway...

Nakano Broadway is the domain of strange and unusual retailers, but this bathroom-sized shop selling ‘variety goods’ stands out even there. Most of the stuff available here might look like junk to us boring adults, but Japan’s subculture-loving teenage girls find plenty of value in the kitschy, surrealistic selection. We recommend the cat-themed T-shirts. Nakano Ropeway map and opening hours

55. The Pool Aoyama...

One of the hottest new stores in 2014. This shop used to be the indoor pool of an Aoyama apartment built in the ‘70s and regularly changes its themes and decor. Representing the current Tokyo fashion scene, it’s a must-visit for those seeking anything on trend, including souvenir-type goods. The Pool Aoyama map and opening hours

56. Hotel Emanon...

Hotel Emanon is, in fact, not a hotel but a restaurant serving artisanal cuisine and coffee. In addition, it stocks a range of lifestyle products and furniture, and hosts regular pop-up shops in collaboration with decor stores and plant nurseries. Hotel Emanon map and opening hours

57. Fethers Goffa X...

Fethers Goffa is top of the pops when it comes to secondhand clothing stores in Osaka. This April, they landed in Tokyo, converting an old Japanese-style house in Harajuku into Fethers Goffa X. On the first floor you’ll find vintagewear for both men and women, while the second floor functions as a rental space for exhibitions and workshops. Fethers Goffa X map and opening hours

58. Cibone...

Recently relaunched under the theme of ‘New Antiques, New Classics’, Cibone was one of the most talked-about new stores of 2014. It offers a carefully curated selection of furniture, day-to-day essentials, fashion, art and beauty products from all over the world. Cibone also organises regular in-store events, including exhibitions and pop-up boutiques. It’s worth noting that the decor was done by Daikei Mills, an up-and-coming Japanese interior designer duo. Cibone map and opening hours

59. Studious Jinnan...

Stocking Japanese brands only, Studious is a rising select store that seeks to promote local products to a global audience. Its store in Jinnan, an area of Shibuya, is a high-end version selling leading Japanese brands like N.Hoolywood and White Mountaineering. Be sure to check out its ‘Tokyo Souvenir’ section for stylish Tokyo-related goods. Studious Jinnan map and opening hours

60. Hyper Market...

Take your mobile life to new creative heights with unique accessories for smartphones and tablet devices from this Harajuku store, which sources its products from around the world and displays them in handy categories such as Sports & Health, Music, Future, Business & Travel, and Gadgets & Toys. Hyper Market map and opening hours

61. Wind And Sea...

Photographer, stylist, creative director and all-round trend expert Takashi Kumagai finally opened his own store in May 2014, using his personal lifestyle as the premise. Wind and Sea primarily stocks Kumagai’s brand Naissance, but also sells vintage and miscellaneous goods which he picks up while travelling the world. The store is always open at the weekend, but opens irregularly on weekdays. Wind And Sea map and opening hours

62. Notoria...

Founded by Naoaki Tobe, who runs vintage store Grimoire, this shop offers antique furniture, botanical products and objets d’art sourced from around the world. The space also has a studio next door that can be rented for exhibitions, photoshoots etc. Notoria map and opening hours

63. Surr By Laila...

Although quite difficult to find, this place is worth the trouble. Vintage fashion geeks will delight in the high-quality designer menswear and accessories from a wide range of eras. Surr By Laila map and opening hours

64. White Mountaineering...

Designer Yosuke Aizawa’s White Mountaineering label is leading the Japanese fash pack right now. This premium ‘outdoor-inspired’ brand moved its flagship store from Omotesando to Daikanyama last April. You’ll find all of the brand’s latest designs here, as well as the more basic Wardrobe line. White Mountaineering map and opening hours

65. Bloom & Branch...

Launched in 2014, Bloom & Branch Aoyama presents sophisticated men’s and women’s wear with a Japanese-European hybrid style, offering a distinguished selection of clothing and products. The store’s refined atmosphere is complemented by an elegant café space called Cobi Coffee and a shoe-polishing corner called The Bar by Brift H. Bloom & Branch map and opening hours

66. Akihabara Radio Kaikan...

Originally established in 1950, this is one of those venues that’s become a symbol of Akihabara’s tech and fictional character culture. It closed down for renovation in 2011 but was relaunched in 2014, with a bigger and better selection of stores selling all sorts of ‘electric town’ goods such as figurines, idol merchandise, trading cards and pretty much any electronic equipment you need. Akihabara Radio Kaikan map and opening hours

67. Ima Concept Store...

Consisting of Ima Gallery, Ima Books and Ima Cafe, this 500m2 concept store in Roppongi focuses on photography. It provides a fresh space for photographers from both Japan and abroad to exhibit their works and share their philosophies through workshops and talk events. The bookshop carries over 2,000 titles, including a collection of independent labels that are rather hard to find in Japan. Browse while enjoying a cup of coffee by the masterful Obscura Coffee Roasters. Ima Concept Store map and opening hours

68. B&B...

Bed and breakfast? No, unfortunately you won't be asked whether you want a sunny-side up at this B&B. For those who like a drink whilst flicking through pages of a good read till late at night, Book and Beer – jointly founded and managed by Koichiro Shima from creative agency Hakuhodo Kettle and book coordinator Shintaro Uchinuma – is the place to go. Check out their talk events too or pick up a piece of vintage furniture provided by interior shop Kontrast. B&B map and opening hours

69. Post...

Only a short walk from the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Post is an independent bookshop located in the quiet backstreets of Ebisu that carries not only new titles, but also some more uncommon Western publications, used books, as well as local titles. Post houses their own publisher limArt, but they also work closely with foreign publishers. Post map and opening hours

70. Nadiff A/p/a/r/t...

Arguably the city’s best-stocked art bookshop, NADiff a/p/a/r/t boasts shelves crammed with Japanese and foreign books, as well as a selection of prints. Its own NADiff Gallery holds regular exhibitions of both emerging and established artists. Nadiff A/p/a/r/t map and opening hours

71. Bookmarc...

If you're a Marc Jacobs fan you'll probably already know about his speciality store, Bookmarc. Well-established overseas, the first Asian branch of Bookmarc opened in Harajuku in late 2013. Not only does it boast a rich collection of books related to art, music and culture – all of which have at one time or another inspired the designer – it also stocks rare vintage books, stationery, tote bags and other accessories. Trot down to the basement for the largest men's-only Marc by Marc Jacobs store in the world. Bookmarc map and opening hours

72. Komiyama Shoten...

Japanese photography expert John Sypal calls this Jimbocho bookstore ‘four floors of incredibleness’. Komiyama stocks photobooks by all the giants of Japanese photography as well as plenty of Western photography. Primarily but not exclusively a photo shop, Komiyama also carries books on fashion, design, Japanese history and art. Komiyama Book Store map and opening hours

73. On Sundays...

On Sundays is inside the Watari-Um Museum of Contemporary Art and stocks books on art, photography and architecture, as well as stationery and other items. If nothing else, you’re sure to leave with a bundle of beautiful postcards. On Sundays map and opening hours

74. Shelf...

Shelf specialises in photography books, from newly published to out-of-print editions. Found near Watari-Um Museum of Contemporary Art, this is a treasure box for those who work in the field or who simply can’t get enough of arty imagery. Shelf map and opening hours

75. Shimada Yosho...

After browsing the book wagons holding discounted books at the entrance to the store, you may not even feel the need to venture further inside Shimada Yosho. But then you’d be missing out on all the imported and beautifully designed books on art, fashion, photography, architecture, cooking and landscape gardening. Shimada Yosho map and opening hours