The Charm of Outlet Malls and Shopping Centers
Bargain sales at department stores take place every summer and winter in Japan.
Have the following thoughts ever crossed your mind? "I missed getting a bargain at the department store," or "I don't care about trends, but I want to buy high-end brands at reasonable prices." If that's you, we recommend heading to outlet malls open year-round.
Outlets sell inventory from previous seasons, sample items, and products with even the slightest flaw. Some of these products may include exclusive outlet merchandise designed and made with leftover material during the manufacturing process.
The quality is the same as the brand's regular items. However, it can be purchased at these outlets for a fraction of the cost. Prices can go down to as low as 80% off the regular price during the outlet's sales period. You can even find some duty-free brands.
This article introduces outlets and shopping centers where you can enjoy shopping with great deals in Tokyo and its surrounding area. We also feature recommended brands and how to access each spot.
Table of Contents:
1. AEON MALL Makuhari New City: Japan's Largest Shopping Center!
2. Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari: Take a Side Trip After an Exhibition to Shop!
3. Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu: The Largest Outlet Mall in Japan!
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6. Gotemba Premium Outlets: Direct Access from Shinjuku with a View of Mt. Fuji!
7. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza: A Shopping Paradise in a Popular Destination!
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An In-Depth Look at 9 Tokyo Outlets and Shopping Centers
AEON MALL Makuhari New City: Japan's Largest Shopping Center!
AEON MALL Makuhari New City in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, is AEON MALL's flagship location. It is also the largest shopping center in Japan.
Take the JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station to Kaihin Makuhari Station, then transfer to a route bus. You will arrive right outside the shopping center. Makuhari-Toyosuna Station will open in spring 2023, ensuring even better access.
AEON MALL Makuhari New City has approximately 300 stores, including brand-name shops, supermarkets, and restaurants.
The mall has entertainment facilities like a playhouse theater, a work experience theme park, and a movie theater. You're sure to find a product or service that will intrigue you no matter who you are.
The grounds are split into four malls: the Grand Mall, Family Mall, Active Mall, and Pet Mall. An entire day might not be enough to spend time browsing everything the mall offers.
We recommend finding souvenirs here when traveling to Tokyo!
AEON MALL Makuhari New City Official Website
Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari: Take a Side Trip After an Exhibition to Shop!
Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari is 40 minutes via the JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station, then a minute on foot from Kaihin Makuhari Station.
Makuhari Messe, one of the largest exhibition halls in Japan, is right next door. Various people, including business, exhibition, and concert attendees, visit this outlet for shopping.
You shouldn't miss out on Burberry's BLUE LABEL and BLACK LABEL CRESTBRIDGE stores, which re-opened in October 2019 after renovations, at Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari. Other stores include BEAMS, a brand leading the fashion trends in Japan, COACH, Y-3, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, THE NORTH FACE, the outdoor brand Columbia, and much more!
Do note that Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari has many cafe-style shops serving light meals and few restaurants. We recommend visiting the mall after eating elsewhere.
Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari Official Website
Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu: The Largest Outlet Mall in Japan!
Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu was renovated in 2018. It is currently the largest outlet mall in the greater Tokyo area, with 308 stores.
The mall has stores nestled side by side with famous brands such as GUCCI, ARMANI, the Disney store, UNITED ARROWS LTD., LEGO, Vivienne Westwood, and earth music & ecology super premium store.
Regarding food recommendations, the outlet has popular restaurants such as IPPUDO for ramen and the specialty tendon (tempura bowl) shop Kaneko Hannosuke.
The recommended route to access the outlet is taking the Yaesu Exit at Tokyo Station, then a direct express bus from Keisei Bus Terminal 2. It takes 45 minutes from Tokyo Station and costs 1,300 yen one way. Cash or a Suica card can be used to pay the bus fare.
A discounted bus ticket set is sold on weekdays. It includes a roundtrip bus ticket along with a 2,500-yen shopping coupon. This can save you a total of 750 yen. The bus ticket set can be purchased at the Keisei Expressway Bus waiting room near the bus terminal.
Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu Official Website
Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma: Easily Accessible from Ikebukuro!
You can access Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma in 54 minutes by taking the Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro to Iruma Station, then transferring to a direct bus.
The outlet is also near Moomin Valley Park, a popular sightseeing destination in Saitama Prefecture. You'll be able to enjoy sightseeing and shopping in a single day.
Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma is located in a residential area and stocked with household goods.
Don't miss out on brands such as UGG, Afternoon Tea LIVING, and the famous household goods brand Francfranc. There's also Sanrio, John Masters Organic (an American haircare brand), BIRKENSTOCK, and Timberland.
Matcha enthusiasts should go to MACCHA HOUSE and try the matcha tiramisu, a signature dessert at the cafe!
Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma Official Website
Shisui Premium Outlets: Located near Narita Airport!
Shisui Premium Outlets is a convenient shopping spot on the way to and from your sightseeing travels. That's because it's located near Narita Airport.
The outlet mall is accessible by direct bus from Narita Airport Terminals 1 and 2. There is also a direct bus from Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit, which arrives at the outlet within an hour.
Several recommended shops at Shisui Premium Outlets are Champion, coleman, Jill Stuart, SKECHERS, Sanrio, and VANS.
You also can't miss out on the pancakes from J.S. PANCAKE CAFE! This specialty pancake restaurant is produced by JOURNAL STANDARD, a famous fashion brand in Japan. The pancakes are made with 100% domestic wheat flour and are especially popular among sweets lovers for their fluffy, moist texture.
Shisui PREMIUM OUTLETS Official Website
Gotemba Premium Outlets: Direct Access from Shinjuku with a View of Mt. Fuji!
Visitors at Gotemba Premium Outlets in Shizuoka Prefecture can have fun shopping while admiring the majestic view of Mt. Fuji from afar.
You can also easily enjoy sightseeing in Hakone, a hot-spring resort town, with a bit of shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets due to their proximity.
Direct buses depart from Shinjuku, Tokyo, Ikebukuro, and Shinagawa every day. However, please note that advanced reservations are required.
Our recommended shops at Gotemba Premium Outlets include ANNA SUI, BURBERRY, Dyson, FENDI, Paul Smith, the Pokemon store, PRADA, and Saint Laurent.
Are you feeling hungry? Then try popular hamburgers from the New York-based SHAKE SHACK.
HOTEL CLAD is a resort hotel that opened in 2019 at Gotemba Premium Outlets. The hotel has several guest rooms with a clear view of Mt. Fuji.
Konohana no Yu, a day-trip hot spring, is also located on the outlet grounds. You can relax while admiring scenery you can't experience anywhere else.
Gotemba Premium Outlets Official Website
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza: A Shopping Paradise in a Popular Destination!
Karuizawa, a resort town known for summer retreats and autumn-leaf viewing, is home to several wonderful hotels. It's also where the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, housing over 200 stores, is located. It's built to ensure you can sufficiently enjoy shopping even in bad weather.
Suppose you plan on shopping at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza. In that case, we recommend these brands: the Japanese specialty hat brand CA4LA, MARC JACOBS, Paul Smith, Burberry's BLUE LABEL and BLACK LABEL CRESTBRIDGE, PRADA, BVLGARI, NIKE, and New Balance.
The shopping plaza isn't only filled with fashion and sells locally harvested vegetables, fruits, jams, regional food products, and souvenirs. You may even loosen your spending habits to fill your shopping basket to the brim.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Official Website
Sano Premium Outlets: Located Near Nikko
If you will be traveling to the Nikko or Utsunomiya area, then Sano Premium Outlets is one of your shopping options. It isn't as crowded as Tokyo, so you can enjoy shopping in peace.
Travel to Tochigi Station on the Tobu Nikko Line from Tobu-Nikko Station, then transfer to the JR Ryomo Line to Sano Station. Take the bus once you get off at Sano Station. The total travel time is 75 minutes at the earliest.
The underwear brand PEACH JOHN, children's clothing brand miki house, GAP, and BOSE (a high-quality audio equipment manufacturer) are recommended brands at Sano Premium Outlets.
Sano Premium Outlets has partnered with popular sightseeing destinations, such as Ashikaga Flower Park and Tomioka Silk Mill. Present your entry ticket stub or voucher from these spots to receive discount coupons at the outlet.
BIC CAMERA Outlet
There are definitely people who specifically shop for appliances like vacuum cleaners, rice cookers, and hair dryers when visiting Japan. Understandably, the latest models are often sold at higher prices.
If you're satisfied with gadgets, even if it's not the latest model, look no further than the BIC CAMERA Outlet in Ikebukuro. You are sure to have a bargain find!
Many products sold at BIC CAMERA outlets are either models that are no longer in production, past models, or sample products. As a result, the prices are reasonable. Moreover, the store offers duty-free products, and you'll earn points depending on the type of credit card you use.
Enjoy Shopping in Japan!
Aren't you itching to go shopping after reading about each spot?
Both outlets and shopping centers have their own sales periods. By visiting at the right time, you might get your hands on a product you've been eyeing at a fantastic deal!
