Where should I buy electronics in Tokyo: Akihabara, Shinjuku or Ginza?
As of October 2026, the most convenient places are the big electronics stores next to stations: Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba and Bic Camera AKIBA in Akihabara, Bic Camera Yurakucho, and the Bic Camera and Yamada Denki LABI stores in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shibuya. Most are tax-free shops open until 9–10 p.m. with a full range, while Don Quijote is handy for small appliances and drugstore items along the way. From November 1, 2026, every store switches to charging the tax-included price with a refund after you leave Japan.
Major chains
| Chain | Japanese / English | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Bic Camera | ビックカメラ / Bic Camera | Many stores next to stations; popular with tourists |
| Yodobashi Camera | ヨドバシカメラ / Yodobashi Camera | Large stores in Akihabara, Shinjuku and elsewhere with a full range |
| Yamada Denki | ヤマダデンキ / Yamada Denki (LABI) | LABI stores in Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo Yaesu |
| Laox | ラオックス / Laox | Aimed at overseas visitors; the Akihabara main store sells appliances |
| Don Quijote | ドン・キホーテ / Don Quijote | Open 24 hours; mainly small appliances and drugstore items |
| EDION | エディオン / EDION | More common in the Kansai region; has an AKIBA store in Tokyo |
By area
- Akihabara: Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba (next to JR Akihabara Station), Bic Camera AKIBA, Laox Akihabara main store and EDION AKIBA are close together, so you can compare prices in one trip.
- Yurakucho / Ginza / Tokyo Station: Bic Camera Yurakucho is right by JR Yurakucho Station, and Yamada Denki LABI Tokyo Yaesu is near Tokyo Station. As of October 2026, Laox Ginza main store focuses on luxury watches and similar items and sells almost no appliances.
- Shinjuku: on the west side are Yodobashi Shinjuku West Exit main store, Bic Camera Shinjuku West Exit and LABI Shinjuku West Exit; on the east side are Bic Camera Shinjuku East Exit and the East Exit Station-front store. Yodobashi spreads appliances across several buildings, so ask which one first.
- Ikebukuro: Bic Camera Ikebukuro main store and LABI Ikebukuro main store are both around the station's east exit.
- Shibuya: Bic Camera Shibuya Hachiko Exit, LABI Shibuya and MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya main store.
- Ueno: Yodobashi Multimedia Ueno.
Stores around Osaka's Umeda and Namba and Kyoto Station are also listed. Open the store map and pick a station or use your location to see the nearest stores, opening hours and directions.
Shopping tips
- Look up the model first: if your country uses a different voltage, rice cookers and toilet seats need an overseas model, which staff may have to bring from the stockroom; see Overseas vs. Japan-domestic models. Check whether it works in your country in our compatibility table.
- Ask about stock: popular overseas models can sell out, so be ready to try another store or two.
- Compare points and deals: points, coupons and payment promotions vary by store; the final tax-free price is what you see at checkout.
- New tax-free system: from November 1, 2026, you pay the tax-included price at checkout and the store decides how the refund is paid, so ask at checkout; see Japan's new tax-free rules.
- Hours change: the hours listed on this site are as of October 2026; during holidays and renovations, follow each store's announcements.