based in Harajuku and Shibuya, is also popular overseas.
Have you ever heard of Marui,
Tokyo's popular fashion building?
It's filled with shops selling the lastest in-season fashion brands. There are also a wide variety of cafes and restaurants. So this is the ideal spot for taking your time and enjoying your shopping.
Most large stations tend to be surrounded by many buildings. But if you remember Marui's logo mark (〇|〇|), you'll be able to find the store right away!
Each and every shop has its own characteristic features. So the atmosphere and flavor differs slightly from place to place.
In this article we focus on Shinjuku Marui Annex,the perfect place for shoppers infatuated with cute miscellaneous goods and lolita fashion.
But we also feature Shinjuku Marui Annex, which has a garden surrounded by greenery, and Ueno Marui.
Today we'll give you all the details on their popular shops and also provide travelers with information on some handy services!
Marui Stores Near Train Stations Have Great Access!
Tokyo's Marui Department Store has thirteen locations,and most are located in and around major business and transportation hubs such as Shinjuku, Ueno, and Shibuya.The stores are all directly connected to the nearest station,and conveniently within a ten minute walk.
As soon as you leave from the C4 Exit of Shinjuku San-chome Subway Station,
Shinjuku Marui Annex will be right in front of you. Also, from JR Shinjuku Station it's only a six minute walk.
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Surugaya
Surugaya specializes mostly in second-hand goods. Here you can purchase many items including game software, figures, and plastic models. The store's entire fifth floor is comprised of retail space. They have nostalgic items all the way to new products, and even some not for sale items. You won't believe their huge stock of goods!
In one corner of the fifth floor all the items are priced at 300 yen or less. Here you can find stuffed animals, keyholders, metal badges, and other interesting goods. It feels just like a treasure hunt!
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BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT
If you're a fan of lolita fashion, then BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT is one shop you can't afford to miss. The shop is stocked with many princess dresses and similar fashion!If you look closely, you can see that the lace and frills have detailed and well thought out designs. It's obvious that each and every item in the store was made with care and attention.
They also carry items related to the popular characters, Usakumyachan and Kuma kumyachan.In addition, you can find bags, parasols, and a wide variety of accessories and small articles. So you'll be able to coordinate your wardrobe perfectly from head to toe.
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ALICE and the PIRATES
ALICE and the PIRATES brand is a fusion that combines the cuteness of lolita fashion with the coolness of its unisex style. "Alice strays into the world of pirates", is the underlying story concept. The shop handles clothes that are filled with a playful spirit, almost as if this fashion had suddenly leapt out of the above mentioned story.
The shop also carries menswear including pants and jackets. So couples can enjoy purchasing matching wardrobes.
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Cinnamoroll Cafe
The Cinnamoroll Cafe is based on the hugely popular character, Cinnamoroll. The cafe interior is decorated with pictures and motifs of Cinnamoroll and his friends, so you'll be put at ease by this extremely cute world. Photos are also permitted on the shop premises.
Many of the cute food items are in the shape of these popular characters (above photo). But make no mistake. This is good tasting, authentic food that will satisfy your appetite and fill you up. Try ordering the popular oyasumi omuraisu (1,380 yen not including tax), together with a cute cinnamon latte chino (780 yen not including tax).
It's a free of charge space on the building's rooftop called Q-COURT. This is a little-known rest spot where you can spend some relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It features an English-style garden filled with seasonal flowers and shrubs.
Ueno Marui is located in front of Ueno Station, a bustling area filled with hordes of visitors. This fashion building starts on the basement second floor and goes up to the ninth floor. Inside there are many popular shops including tutuanna, a sock and underwear brand selling various cute items; and Francfranc, specializing in interior accessories.
There are also many men's fashion stores and miscellaneous goods shops. So even visitors on a tight schedule can enjoy doing all their shopping in one place.
On the second floor there's an Information Center offering many convenient services for visitors. For example, there's a foreign currency exchange service, a duty-free counter, rent-a-car and baggage delivery services to name just a few. The lounge area has free Wi-Fi and a place for recharging your cell phone as well.
In addition to Japanese, staff can also assist visitors in English and Chinese. So this makes the perfect place to get sightseeing information for Ueno. A shop called ecbo cloak offers baggage storage service (reservations required). Make use of their convenient service, and you'll be much lighter on your feet when you go sightseeing.
There are many sightseeing spots in the Ueno area including Ueno Zoo and Ameyokocho Shopping Street. Ueno Zoo is famous for its panda, and Ameyokocho is a lively area filled with countless grocery stores and supermarkets, clothing shops, and miscellaneous goods shops. After completing your shopping at Ueno Marui it'll be great to leave your bags at the Information Center, and then go off and explore the local area on foot!
Though Marui sells numerous popular fashion brands, there are many shops that handle the private brand series RAKUCHIN. This series carries a full selection of very attractive items.
In the Japanese language, RAKUCHIN means comfort without stress and worry. According to the floor manager, they actually use customer input and suggestions when designing products for the RAKUCHIN series. Above all, emphasis is always placed on the shoe's comfort. In addition to shoes, the RAKUCHIN series also includes bags and clothing. As expected, all their products are highly functional!
RAKUCHIN pumps—which have a good reputation and a loyal following—can be worn for long periods of time and your feet won't get tired.The company creates their own original foot patterns for the shoes. As a result the bottom of the feet and the toes, areas where weight is most easily placed, get full cushion support.
There's a full range of sizes: from 19.5 to 27.0 centimetres. Customers can even choose their preferred shoe width with some models. So even those who've struggled trying to find a proper fitting shoe, will be able to find the most suitable pair.
If you'd like to have your own original pair of sneakers, then we recommend es at Yurakucho Marui. Various brands of sneakers, including Nike and Converse, can be customized with the accessories that are sold here.
They carry a full selection of accessory charms from all around the world.How about buying one for a friend, not to mention one just for yourself?
Marui hasn't been concentrating just only on fashion. They've also been focusing their efforts on Japanese subculture as well. At Marui locations throughout Japan, they've been holding many anime (animation), manga, and game-related events and limited time only shops.
They sell items not available anywhere else, so when visiting Japan please don't forget to check for event information!
So how about making full use of Marui,
a department store filled with endless highlights,
and enjoy your shopping experience even more?
Check out our social media for more details!
(English)
The information in this article is correct at the time of writing.The content and prices of the products and services may have changed after this article is published. Please double-check before you make use of it.