Tokyo Shopping - Electronics

Tokyo is undeniably the electronics capital of the world and Akihabara is the place with the highest concentration of electronic stores in the city. The latest DVD players, computers, laptops, digital cameras, handycams, i-pods, air conditioners, music systems, television sets, and lots more are to be found in this area. Areas such as Ginza and Shinjuku are also great places for shopping electronics in Tokyo.

Apple Store

Just like Sony has their Sony Building, Apple has their Apple Store in Ginza, offering the latest gadgets from Apple. The Apple Store is a cool, sleek designed store with seven floors of "Mac madness". There is a theatre which shows tutorials of Apple products and free Internet is available at the top floor.

Bic Camera

Bic Camera is one of Tokyo's leading discount electronics retailers. A trip to one of Bic Cameras's towering tech stores is the equivalent of a one-stop tour through the world of Japan's cutting-edge gadgetry. Bic Camera offers not only digital cameras, but also computers, DVD and MP3 players, home theater systems, cell phones, PC software, game consoles, and much more. Bic Camera's main store is located at the east exit of Ikebukuro Station and there are several more branch stores located on both sides of the station. They also have a huge eight-floor store near Ginza and a five-floor store in the Odakyu Halc Building near Shinjuku Station's west exit. Product range and prices are roughly the same in all these stores.

Ishimaru Denki

Ishimaru Denki is a general home electronics chain with ten stores across Akihabara. The main store building is brightly lit, and is easy to spot in Akihabara. You should find most of what you need somewhere in their six floors of retail space.

LaOX

Well-known Akiba institution and Tokyo's largest duty-free shop. LaOX specializes in export products and has English speaking staff on hand. It has a wide range of made-in-Japan electric and electronic products, as well as reliable customer service. There are in fact twelve LaOX stores in Akihabara alone.

Radio Center

Radio Center in Akihabara is the biggest electronic components department store in the world. So for all hardcore do-it-yourself electronics geeks out shopping in Tokyo, this is the place to go. It feels like a journey through time has taken place when you enter this unbelievable two-floor warren of tiny shops, each specializing in (for example) LEDs, voltage meters, ceramic capacitors or miniature cameras.

Sofmap

Sofmap is a major seller of new and used Japan-market computer parts and software. The Sofmap chain has no less than sixteen stores in Akiba alone, with Sofmap Akihabara being their main store. Sofmap Akihabara spans seven floors, and offers games, DVDs, plastic figures, computers, etc. If you're looking to sell your belongings, head to the basement floor.

Sony Building

Curious about the latest from Sony? In the Sony Building, next to the Sukiyabashi crossing in Ginza, all the very latest Sony gadgets are on display. Sony Building features a variety of shops and showrooms with DVD players, cameras, televisions, Playstation-products and any other electronic devices you can imagine. Demonstrations of products are held everyday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm and entrance is free. Buy something or just stroll around in the many showrooms.

Yamada Denki LABI

Yamada Denki operates a number of stores across Tokyo, with the main store conveniently located next to Akihabara Station. This seven-story building is jammed full of everything electronic from cameras, computers and camcorders to digital audio equipment and more. The prices here are not the bargains you can get a couple streets away, but the selection is matchless.

Yodobashi Akiba

Nine floors of electronics madness from one of Tokyo's biggest electronics chains, with a wide selection of computers, laptops, toys, videos, cameras and audio equipment, including high-end items. Yodobashi have stores all over Tokyo, but the store in Akihabara is the biggest one. Old-school Akihabara loyalists tend to shun the place, which goes against the area's independent roots.

Yodobashi Camera

Yodobashi Camera is the largest electronics retailer in Shinjuku, and especially strong on camera equipment, making this a favorite among photo enthusiasts and professionals alike. Yodobashi has many branches around Tokyo, and they sell all kinds of electronics - not only cameras. The branches specialize, so you may have to look for the right branch to find what interests you. Yodobashi Camera's main store is located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, while a smaller branch is located near the station's east exit.