Akihabara

Welcome to Neon Land. Akihabara is the electronics capital of Japan and walking through its streets you can barely see in front of you due to the amount of flashing shop signs and video screens. Street stalls sell the latest high-tech computer devices, while huge electronic retailers flog televisions at duty-free prices. Head for the duty-free stores if you want to speak to English staff, and bring your passport with you to qualify for tax-exempt goods. Akky (1-12-1 Soto Kanda) is one of the best shops for this. Come out of Akihabara station and look for the glaringly obvious Electric Town exit.

• Address:

  Akihabara, Tokyo

Aoyama

Aoyama, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the city offers a world of Japanese and international upmarket brands. The newly designed Prada building here stands for everything this neighbourhood is about - sleek sophistication is the name of the game. Well-recognised Japanese designers including Yohji Yamamoto, and Issey Miyake stand side by side with Prada and Louis Vuitton.

• Address:

  Aoyama, Tokyo

• Subway:

  Station: Omotesando

Don Quijote

Don Quijote is a chain of stores known for selling pretty much everything, from sake-flavoured Kit Kats to whimsical crab-shaped headgear. This particular location in Shibuya is the largest one in Tokyo, where you'll be able to purchase clothes, food, beauty products and toys. If you're looking for a souvenir to bring back home, this would be the ideal place to get something truly memorable.

• Address:

  28-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3-5428-4086

Ginza

For label lovers, the district Ginza is a retail heaven. The Japanese adore their fashion items and clothes from big designers. This is where you’ll find the usual suspects - Chanel, Hermes and even Barneys of New York have all set up shop in this upmarket location. For trendier labels, head to Harajaku and Shibuya.

• Address:

  Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo

Ginza Mitsukoshi

Japan’s oldest department store has stores in Ginza and Nihonbashi. Womenswear, accessories, menswear, toys, childrenswear and restaurants from the fourth basement floor to the 12th floor. Mitsukoshi welcomes visitors from all around the world, with free Wifi, a Tax-Free Counter and Foreign Tourist Information Centre.

• Web:

  www.mitsukoshi.co.jp

• Address:

  4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3562 1111

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Sunday: 10.30am-8pm

• Subway:

  Exit A7, Tokyo Metro Ginza Station

Harajuku

Catering to a similar crowd to Ginza, the colourful street Harajuku has more of an edge. As well as the familiar Prada, Dior and Burberry, if you walk just around the corner you’ll find the funky teen stores of Shibuya. One of these, the 109 store (2-29-1 Dogenzaka), is said to inspire the mad and consistently madder styles seen on the Shibuya streets. At 109 and others like Laforet Harajuku (1-11-6 Jingumae), young women’s wear is packed to the rafters.

• Address:

  Harajuku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo