In the past two days, the Economic Cooperation Agreement between Japan and the EU (EPA) has once again blown up our circle of friends - Japan will become a real shopping paradise!
The EU will gradually cancel tariffs on about 99% of imported goods from Japan, including various brands of bags, clothing and other luxury goods. Japan has gradually cancelled tariffs on about 94% of product categories.
This year, will start on on February 1, and the Japanese and European EPA will officially take effect. The red wine that was the first to cancel tariffs has significantly lowered its prices in major shopping malls in Japan. The prices of 330 varieties of red wine decreased by 10%.
Imported Japanese European and American clothing has also cancelled tariffs. Cheese and pasta discounts have also appeared in the mall. The imported meat of
, brand bags will also enter 0 tariffs in the next step, and the prices will be synchronized with Europe.
This doesn’t seem to have much to do with us, but in fact, this is great news for both purchasing agents and tourists to Japan!
Friends who like European and American goods do not have to travel far to Europe to buy, just go to Japan to buy it.
From Mafengwo user: Macau Little B
Before, there were never fewer people queuing in European and American shopping malls, and sometimes they had to queue late at night, and the competition was very fierce. Now you can buy European affordable goods at the same price when traveling in Japan!
For purchasing agents, the business scope is wider. For tourists, there are many options for shopping, making it easier to visit in Japan! There is no need to do long-distance flights or jet lag, and the shopping experience is also great.
plus Japan has officially implemented a new visa relaxation policy for mainland Chinese tourists starting from January 1, 2019. As long as tourists who meet the conditions do not need financial certificates, they can apply for multiple round trips in three years.
From Mafengwo user: minnie
Of course, it doesn’t mean to buy and buy. Japan will still have a lot of changes in the next 10 years, such as the 2019 Osaka G20 Summit.
2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
2022 Miyazaki theme park was completed. I heard that it is more healing than Disney!
Osaka Casino will be completed and opened in 2024, benchmarking the famous four major casinos in the world.
2025 Osaka Expo, and build Kansai Airport in Japan for the gradually expanding passenger flow!
EPA brings the icing on the cake to the upcoming golden 10 years of Japan. You can buy affordable products and taste various delicacies in Japan, so many people say that Japan is about to become a "shopping paradise".
I believe many shoppers can no longer sit still! This is a shopping guide to help you buy your favorite products more quickly (or complete the "purchase agent" task more efficiently).
Outlets and department stores/malls
Japan's outlets have two major groups, one is Mitsui Outlets 16 Park, which is mainly composed of Japanese brands, and Premium outlets 16 Park, which is mainly composed of American style.
The following is a compilation of outlets across Japan:
Outlet's seasonal sale is in these periods: from the end of March to the beginning of April; from mid-July to the end of August, from the end of October to the beginning of November and January. Most outlets are located in the suburbs and are large in size. It is recommended to reserve a whole day to visit slowly.
Department stores and shopping centers are good places to choose branded clothing and go shopping. Discount season is a good time to shop. There are chains across the country such as Isetan , Mitsukoshi, Marui (0101), Takashimaya, etc.
Picture: Osaka Namba Marui Department Store
The underground floor of the department store is commonly known as "department store underground" (デパぁカ). In addition to the fresh supermarket, it also sells many cooked foods, foreign fruits, and pastries with attractive taste. It also has bento and sushi from star-rated Japanese restaurants selected as the "Michelin Food Guide". If you don't want to wait in a well-known restaurant, you might as well buy a delicious bento with side dishes. It's also good to go back to the hotel to have a comfortable meal!
Picture: Tokyo Station Underground Street
0% of the things you can buy here
Pharmaceutical cosmetics, electrical appliances, and snacks are always the top priority of Japanese shopping. As long as you identify these stores, 80% (or even more) of the things on your shopping list can be bought.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi and other large chain drugstores
The main large drugstores in Japan:
Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マモトキヨシ)
Kokumin (コクミン)
Matsumoto Kiyoshi (イコクドラッグ)
Sun Drug, OS Drug (オーエスドラッグ)
Search has branches across the country, and 39 Drug uses Kitakyushu as its main base. You can lock it if you go to Kyushu to play.
has a wide range of products, many stores and low prices, which is the biggest advantage of shopping in drugstores. Generally speaking, most cosmetics, skin care products and health care products on the shopping list can be purchased here.
In addition, major pharmaceutical stores will place recommended products in the store at the door. In addition to being popular with Japanese and tourists, these products are also special discounts and have high cost performance.
Picture: A wide range of products for pharmaceutical cosmetics
The largest and most well-known Japanese chain pharmaceutical cosmetics store is Matsumoto Kiyoshi. Matsumoto Kiyoshi, whose yellow is the background color and the big word "medicine" is written on the sign, was founded in 1932. It was called "Matsumoto Pharmacy" at that time. Matsumoto Kiyoshi was the name of the founder. Currently, there are more than 1,400 branches in Japan, and some stores in Tokyo are open 24 hours a day and provide free wireless Internet access.
Picture: Japan's largest Matsumoto Kiyoshi Pharmaceutical Cosmetics
has a complete range of products, including all kinds of medicines, health foods, beverages, cosmetics, daily necessities, hygiene and medical supplies. The SK2 Fairy Water and Snow Skin Symptom that are so popular on the Internet can also be bought by Matsumoto Kiyoshi, so there is no need to go to the department store to find a counter.
In larger stores, Chinese clerks provide services, and even if they can’t understand Japanese, communication is not a problem; in addition, you can use UnionPay cards to consume directly in large stores, and you can check out at a tax-free price in the store, saving tax refund steps, which is quite convenient. Matsumoto's official website often has coupons for Chinese passengers. Remember to save them on your phone or print them out before departure.
Since 2015, Matsumoto Kiyo has opened the "White Matsumoto Kiyo" dedicated to tourists. Generally, Matsumoto Kiyoshi uses yellow and blue signs, while white Matsumoto Kiyoshi is a white sign with the words "TAX FREE". The service staff inside are proficient in Chinese, English and Korean. The products in the store also have QR codes marked with products. After scanning, they can display the Chinese information of the product, which is very convenient.
Picture: White Matsumoto Kiyo
Currently, all branches are concentrated in Tokyo, with a total of five:
Picture: White Matsumoto Kiyo store information
In 2017, Matsumoto Kiyo opened its new brand "Beauty U" in Ginza, Tokyo, focusing on beauty cosmetics. More than 90% of the products in the store are cosmetics, and a new ten-minute quick beauty service has been added. If you need makeup, you can enjoy one of the services for free in eye makeup, eyebrow makeup, lip makeup and makeup.
Common medicines in Japanese and pronunciation
Loft, Tokyo Hands and other beauty grocery stores
In addition to the well-known Muji in Chinese, there are many beauty grocery stores in Japan that are worth visiting, such as Loft, Tokyo Hands, PLAZA, offon, Francfranc, Plus Heart, @cosme store, 212Kitchen, etc.
These stores are popular with locals, ranging from small desk decorations, exquisite stationery and hand tents to home and daily necessities with a full sense of design and kitchen supplies.
Picture: The charming Japanese groceries
One common point among these daily groceries chains is that they are usually located in department stores or shopping centers. Therefore, if a boy is tired of walking with a girl, you can also find a cafe nearby, which is very convenient and does not affect your relationship.
Picture: Tokyu Hands Shinjuku store located in Takashimaya Department Store
Tokyu Hands, Loft and PLAZA are larger comprehensive stores. Loft in Kyoto even has a large store from the first underground floor to the fourth floor above ground, so it is very enjoyable to shop.
There are some cosmetics that cannot be bought in drugstores, such as MAMA BUTTER, MAMA KIDS UV light veil, etc.; as well as novel small items such as beer bubblers, three-dimensional milk bubblers, and various stationery, etc., which are easier to find in Tokyu Hands and Loft.
Picture: Kyoto Loft
Francfranc style is relatively simple and beautiful, and its feature is that it has a series of products launched in cooperation with Disney. Friends who like Mickey Minnie should not miss it. Offon can capture your girlish heart and wallet with cute Japanese style; Plus Heart includes Disney, Snoopy, CRAFTHOLIC, French rabbit, etc., and also has MOOMIN (只只只只只) series products.
Picture: Francfranc's product collaboration with Disney
@cosme Store is mainly about beauty products and is a chain store launched by the authoritative cosme website in the beauty industry. The annual "cosme Awards" have attracted the attention of men and women of all ages and have become a guide for purchasing cosmetics; in addition, 12 Kitchen, as the name suggests, is mainly about dining table products, where you can find various Japanese-designed tableware.
picture: @cosme store store
dd difference between drugstore and beauty store
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Picture: Youdu Baxi Qiuyebara store
These two stores have branches in major business districts in major cities across the country. Youdu Baxi is almost all located near important stations, while most of the customers are located in key business districts.
Picture: Bic Camera official website Product category
Generally speaking, since Bike often launches coupons, the price is slightly lower than Youdu Baxi; but the two companies have various pricing and discount strategies for different products, so they need to compare prices more and make good use of coupons to truly buy and save money.
Picture: Bike's "Plum Rainy Season Discount Coupon" Source: Official Facebook Fan Page
In addition to the tax exemption of more than 5,000 yen (8%), Bike's coupons are usually given a discount of about 7% on the basis of tax exemption.
In addition to drugstores, grocery stores and home appliances, don’t miss the affordable price and complete product types when shopping in Japan. Don Quixote (ドン‧キホーテ) and 0-yuan store .
Picture: Jing'an's palace: Don Quixote (Kabukicho, Tokyo)
Don Quixote focuses on snacks and daily necessities, including cosmetics, clothing, home appliances, and even figures, gardening tools, sports equipment, second-hand luxury goods, etc., with quite a variety of categories; there are many branches, except Tokushima and Kochi. Although its slogan is "The Palace of Jing'an" (super cheap), not all products are really that cheap. You still have to compare prices before purchasing, or check the price online first: https://mpglobal.donki.com/zh-cn/ (Chinese official website). As the name suggests, most of the products are in the price range of 100 yen, but although they are cheap, the quality and appearance of the products are not discounted.The three largest 100-dollar stores in Japan are Daiso, Seria and Can.do.
Daiso is the ancestor of a hundred yuan store. It has quite a lot of stores and has many products independently developed. Seria focuses on Nordic products with taste and design, and has many handicrafts, which are very popular among women. Can.do is mainly concentrated in Tokyo, selling a variety of kitchen items and food seasonings. People who love cooking should not miss it.
Picture: The three largest 100-dollar stores in Japan: Seria, Daiso, Cando
personality "Select Store"
is different from the above stores, and is the so-called "Select Store" (select-shop). A shopping store refers to a store that carefully selects products that combine quality and appearance by professionals. From clothing, shoes, shoes and accessories to daily necessities, stationery and even food utensils and seasonings, including all aspects of life. Each shopping store appears full of personality due to different fashion and life proposals. Those who pursue different "life styles" will be your best choice.
Beams, United Arrows and SHIPS are called the "Yu Sanjia" of boutique selection stores. Beams has more than 200 branches, which in addition to clothing, also includes many daily necessities. United Arrows mainly engages in fashionable clothing, with mature urban men and women who pursue fashion and high-quality texture as their main customers, while SHIPS focuses on integrating traditional elements into new fashion as its concept, focusing on mature styles.
Picture: United Arrows Roppongi Branch
TOMORROWLAND is one of the five major Select Shops in Japan, with nearly 90 branches and specializing in young markets; Journal Standard provides original and unique boutique clothing; nano universe focuses on fashionable and practical items with popular elements, and the prices are also relatively friendly. Studio is based in Japan, with the goal of promoting brands made in Japan and designed by Japan to the world, so you can find many local designer brand clothing in the store. In addition, those who like vintage works (second-hand clothes) should not miss Ragtag. The stores sell selected designer brand vintage works, and are cheap and good.
Picture: Ragtag Tokyo Harajuku Store
Shop Street
If you want to experience the same shopping method as locals, Shotengai is definitely your best choice. Shopping streets generally refer to shop-intensive areas, usually located near stations. If there is a roof, it is also called "Arc Shopping Street (アーケード Shopping Street,アーケード Street".
Picture: Kyoto Izumachi Shopping Street, the animation "The Legend of the Sky" scene
is different from shopping centers, department stores, and shopping malls. It is similar to the "market", with a strong human touch and local style. You can find daily necessities here, as well as fresh foods such as vegetables, fruits, fish and other fresh foods. Many well-known civilian delicacies such as fried cola cakes, yakito, octopus balls, etc. can be bought in the store street. At the same time, many local specialties and companions Gift, you can also buy enough in the store street at one time!
Picture: Local fresh fruit sold in the store street
Before shopping, you need to pay attention to a few things to pay attention to before visiting the store street: First, since the store street mainly serves local residents, most of them are only in Japanese; secondly, the shops in the store street are generally smaller, and large backpacks or suitcases are stored in the station! In addition, although the store street looks like a market, they are clearly priced and cannot be yelled. Finally, the store street generally only collects cash, and there are few stores that can use credit cards, let alone UnionPay cards. So prepare enough cash in advance to make your store street more convenient and pleasant to walk!
Duty Free Shop (Duty free shop)
Airport duty-free shop refers to duty-free shops located in the international airport terminal. There are duty-free shops in Tokyo Narita, Haneda Airport, Osaka Kansai Airport, Nagoya Central New Tria Airport, etc.
Among them, FaSoLa of Narita Airport is the largest. Don’t miss the airport limited products launched by the airport duty-free shop. Although the price may not be more favorable, the uniqueness of the goods is irreplaceable.
Downtown duty-free shops are duty-free shops operated in the city. The larger ones include Paris Spring Ginza and AKKY ONE (five branches)
Picture: Tokyo Narita Airport Duty Free Shop
In addition, there is a DFS Global Duty Free Shop, which is operated by DFS, the world's largest duty-free shop operator. It has two branches in Okinawa, namely DFS Naha Airport Store and DFS T-Gallery in Naha City. T-Gallery is quite large in scale, and there are also many department stores that are easy to visit nearby. Don't miss it when you go to check out for three years.
Shopping common sense
Tax exemption? Tax refund?
Figure: Stores with this tag can refund/duty-free
Duty-free means that when shopping in Japan, they directly settle at "untaxed price" when checking out; tax refund means that they settle at "tax included price", and after settlement, the 8% consumption tax attached to the goods will be liquidated and returned. Most large drugstores and chain home appliance vendors have duty-free counters, while department stores and shopping centers have tax refund counters.
Picture: Department store tax refund counter
Japanese airports do not handle tax refund matters. Generally speaking, tax refunds can only be enjoyed in large shopping malls or department stores. After shopping with merchants without a "tax-free counter", they need to go to the tax refund counter to apply for a tax refund (refund cash).
Whether tax exemption or refund, you need to present your passport when processing (sometimes you need a return ticket). Remember!
Japanese products generally indicate the tax-inclusive price (tax statement) and the tax-inclusive price (tax or "principal price"), and the unit of Japanese yen is "yen". For example, 15,000 yen (tax bill) and 16,200 yen (tax bill) refer to the price excluding tax 15,000 yen, the price including tax 16,200 yen, and so on.
Tax refund steps
Figure: At the tax refund counter you will go through
Departure note
Duty goods purchased must be brought out of Japan within 30 days of purchase. Duty-free products (including food, medicine, cosmetics and other consumables) must be packaged intact, cannot be used during travel, and cannot be removed and sealed.
Discount Season and Discount
New Year's Day (Winter) Discount: January to February 2019
Early Years Discount Period starts after the end of the New Year holiday, and there will be a big discount for winter clothes at this time. In addition, don't miss the cheap "lucky bag (ふくぶくくくろ) sold in Japan at the beginning of the New Year. Boutique brands will also be discounted, and the discount reaches 50%, which is a good opportunity to buy a brand that is cheaper than usual.
Picture: New Year’s lucky bag
html will be available in winter clothes starting in February, and the price will be lower than in January, but there are not many products left.New life discount: March to April
3 will start discount activities for students or newcomers in the workplace. Home appliances, furniture, suits and leather bags will be discounted, which is relatively cheap. In addition, some stores even discount grocery items such as stationery supplies.
Summer discount: July to August
Summer discount and winter discount are the two largest discount seasons in Japan, starting from early July, but the period of the largest discount range should be from mid-July to early August. This is the period of the most suitable price and the most complete styles and sizes. Many clothing can even be purchased at less than half price.
year-end discount: December
December discount season, winter clothing will definitely be discounted, and home appliances, etc. will also have discounts, which is a great season for shopping. And on Christmas, shopping malls in major business districts will use lights to decorate the store in colorful colors, which is the best time to go shopping.
Picture: The lights event in the mall near Namba Station in Osaka every year to the beginning of the year
Practical Japanese shopping
Although you can complete a shopping with one or two sentences or gestures, mastering a little basic shopping Japanese can make it more convenient for you.
(Source: Mafengwo Travel, please contact us to delete if there is any infringement)
