As one of Tokyo’s largest transportation hubs, it shouldn’t come to a surprise that Tokyo Station is also home to a ton of different shops for you to explore. From sweets shops offering Japan and Tokyo’s most famous treats, to gift shops featuring some station-exclusive souvenirs.
Between all the stores here, you could easily spend a couple of hours just browsing around the area, grabbing all sorts of snacks and souvenirs for yourself, friends, and family. But with all these options to choose from, what are the things you can expect within Tokyo Station, and is it worth the visit? Let’s get to it. How Good is Tokyo Station Actually?
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🍫 Tokyo Gift Palette 🍫
Full Review: Tokyo Gift Palette & Tokyo Okashi Land
Starting off with the main reason a lot of you will come to Tokyo Station for (excluding the trains…) Tokyo Gift Palette is home to all sorts of famous and local sweets.
There’s the usual iconic brands like Tokyo Banana, Royce, and Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, of course, as well as some of the more local and Tokyo exclusive offerings. (plus a weekly-rotating pop-up store.)
Granted, a lot of these shops you can also find at the airport. But if you want my advice? Grab them here so you don’t have to carry them around as you walk around the airport.
Per usual for my reviews, I can’t talk about sweets in Japan without talking about my favorite – Butter Butler. If you need just one recommendation, make sure to stop by the Butter Butler shop and try out their Butter Financiers.
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🍭 Tokyo Okashi Land 🍭
Full Review: Tokyo Gift Palette & Tokyo Okashi Land
Similar to Tokyo Gift Palette, Tokyo Okashi Land also offers a bunch of different snacks to choose from – focusing more on larger brands like Calbee, Glico, and Morinaga.
You can find each brand’s well-known items here of course (Jaga Pokuru, Jagabee, Hi-Chew, Choco-Ball, and Pocky), but the main attraction here is definitely their live cooking stations, serving up freshly baked and fried goods – with some being exclusive to just Tokyo Station. (Calbee PLUS and their fried potato snacks, Morigana with their Soft Serve Ice Cream, and Glico with their Almond Days drinks cafe.)
You can also find more sweets shops similar to Tokyo Gift Palette all around Tokyo Okashi Land, too. From Tokyo Banana, to Yoku Moku and Shiseido Parlour, so even if your main goal was to buy some local sweets, don’t forget to stop by Tokyo Okashi land as well.
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🛍 Tokyo Character Street 🛍
Full Review: Tokyo Character Street
For some non-food shopping, Tokyo Character Street is the corner for just that.
With over 30 different stores, from game and anime shops like the Pokemon Center, Jump Shop, and Donguri Republic, TV and movie stores like TBS, Harry Potter, and Disney Store, and other brands like LINE and Mofusand, there’s a good chance you’ll come across something you like here – not to mention all their Tokyo Station exclusive items.
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🍜 Tokyo Ramen Street 🍜
Full Review: Tokyo Ramen Street
Like with many of the larger subway stations in Japan, you can find a lot of dining options both inside and outside the station gates. One of the more popular areas here at Tokyo Station is Tokyo Ramen Street, lined with shops serving up all sorts of ramen varieties.
From broths like Shoyu, Shio, and Tonkotsu Ramen, to different serving styles like Soba and Tsukemen, pick your favorite store and enjoy a bowl of ramen while you’re here – or use this opportunity to try out some new flavors!
Fancy a meal that’s not ramen? You can also find Nippon Gourmet Road right next to Ramen Street, and Tokyo Gourmet Zone over at Floor 2.
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⭐VERDICT⭐
So how good is Tokyo Station actually? As a whole, Tokyo Station offers quite a lot when it comes to sweets and souvenirs. From all the assortment of sweets and snack shops, to the different merchandise stores (plus some restaurants if you feel like eating here as well,) the sheer amount of options here should cover most of the things you’ll get for yourself, friends, and family. Besides, the location is pretty convenient, and chances are you’ll pass by during your stay.
It’s no “Must Visit” when it comes to Tokyo (most of these shops should have standalone shops somewhere around Tokyo), but if you need a convenient place to do a whole bunch of souvenir shopping, Tokyo Station is definitely a good place to check out.
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🚗HOW TO GET THERE 🚗
Everything I’ve covered here can be found on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station.
If you’re coming from the subway (Tokyo Station – JR or Marunouchi Line), exit from the Yaesu North Exit for Tokyo Gift Palette, and the Yaesu Underground Central Exit for Tokyo Okashi Land, Tokyo Character Street, and Tokyo Ramen Street.
And if you’re walking here, you can find Tokyo Gift Palette on the Yaesu side, with the entrance gates right around the Gran Tokyo building.
Tokyo Station
🌏 Location 🌏
1 Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://goo.gl/maps/ydsQoc7w7xgAZPdc9
⏰ Opening Hours ⏰
Varies by store. Most shops should be open from 10 A.M. to 8:30 P.M.
💻 Website 💻
https://www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp/en/
