Some of the frequently asked question that I have on is, "Stella, I am going to Japan and where should I go to shop?" either for themselves or for people back in the country. We, Indonesian, love giving souvenirs, or in most cases, we just have to bring some to our family and colleagues and friends, and probably neighbour. So, I am sharing one of my favorite shops to buy souvenir and unique items in Tokyo

ACCESS

This time I am bringing you to UENO area. An area filled with tourists, and has tons of affordable items to choose from. This is also an area full of affordable hotels, but located at really good locations as they have JR Line, Shinkansen, and Tokyo Metro Subway line. Ueno is really convenient to stay at and visit to as it's easily accessible from everywhere. There's also a direct train from Narita named KEISEI SKYLINER that brings you from Narita airport to Ueno Station in 45 minutes only!! So, make sure to put this spot on your list to explore next time you're in town

The most popular street in Ueno area is AMEYOKO

It's filled with so many shops, restaurants, street foods, drugstores, and even karaokes. In case you watch NHK Asadora AMACHAN, Ameyoko street also makes appearance on that popular Japanese TV Drama

Now, introducing you to one stop shopping shop located in the heart of Ameyoko. The Shop's name is MAGAZINES. And it's popular among Indonesians too these days

Map is also attached for your reference to find it easier. But you can also google "MAGAZINES UENO" on your google maps

ADDRESS = 4 Chome-8-1 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan

HOURS = Open 11 AM - Closes 8 PM

Tel = +813-3836-9565

Located only 5 mins walk from Ueno JR station or Ueno Okachimachi Oedo Line Subway, making it really convenient and easy to be found

So what's available at MAGAZINES store??

SMALL SOUVENIRS

We all love small souvenirs, and it's best if it's affordable, even better when it's combinable and it's the thing that we can do at MAGAZINES. For just 1200 yen (+/- 150.000), You can choose 3 items of your choices. All comes in high quality and japan inspired design, perfect for souvenirs or your own trip memento

My favorite has to be the unique japan design socks. From the kimono girl to kawaii cat, also some ramen design inspired. Surprise your friends as well with this unique present that's only available in Japan

There are also some fridge magnets and keychains in wide selections

For other stuff, the price depending on the items, and they offer wallet, keychains, tshirts, hats, and many more

KIMONO

One of their most popular choices of their goods include Kimono Outerwear, like the one that I was wearing on this picture! It is only 3000 yen per piece and really elevates the look. There are countless choices of the designs and colors, including for both male and female

ANELLO BAGS

Anello bag has gained quite a reputation for being sturdy, fashionable, spacious, and affordable for its quality. In Indonesia itself, the price for Anello bag is doubled up than the one in Japan. Many of you asked where to buy authentic Anello bag, and at MAGAZINES, they offer wide selections of Anello bags and all is authentic. They even have the certification as one of the authorized partners. Not just Anello, but other items are also original and authentic

Which are you eyeing?

There are also other branded bags besides Anello including some limited edition only sold in Japan

APPARELS AND ACCESSORIES

Once we go deeper to the store, there are a lot of apparels and accessories collections. Some of them are vintage items (used) in high quality, and some are brand new. Please ask the staff for more informations which is which, though it's also written on the explanation board

Affordable sunglasses, wallets, and bracelets

Unique selected belts and bags

MEN'S WEAR

They have more mens apparel on the second floor from Denim, Kimono outerwear, Tshirts, Leather shoes, and so on

Who wants to collect some Marvel and Star Wars limited edition original T-Shirts? Bring your boys here and they will love you forever :D

Shopping can never be better!

SUKAJAN

There's also SUKAJAN section, which is a popular jacket with unique designs that can be worn by both female and male. The fabric's quality of Sukajan is really good and smooth, and a good investment in case you want to invest for a good unique jacket from Japan

Which one is your favorite?

I paired up Sukajan jacket, Anello red sling bag, Vintage leather boots, and black sunglass. Now I think I fit the store's image really well! :D

SHOP EXPERIENCE

Worry not because it's tax free for foreign tourists as long as you purchase more than 5000 yen. The tax in Japan has been raised from 8% to 10% since October 2019 so it's really a nice privilege for tourists to have tax free reduction when shopping. So make sure to bring your passport when shopping in Japan

In case you want to visit the store, I also have additional coupon discount for you! SAVE THE IMAGE, Spread it to your families and friends, as I know we all love discount 

So that's my recommendation for souvenir shop in Tokyo

Hopefully you would visit the store and if you ever visit it, dont forget to tag me on Instagram. Or even better, probably we can bump into each other when we're shopping here together in the future

Talk to you guys again on my next post

I had blogged before about things to do in Odaiba, and it revolved around visiting Gundam in front of Diver City Tokyo BUT I never made a full blog post about the mall itself. Diver City Tokyo in Odaiba is a one stop shopping mall that I visit the most in Odaiba, and for a good reason. It's filled with many amazing shops and restaurants that always make me want to come back

We know that Diver City is popular for Gundam Statue but for you Gundam Lovers, they have a Gundam Cafe right within walking distance from the statue itself where you can buy merchandises, souvenirs, as well as trying some thematic foods

GUNDAM CAFE

Heaven for most of guys I know.. How about you?

They also sell a lot of cute foods and beverages however it's not a cafe with sofa and chair as they only have standing table. I ordered myself a Gundam Cafe Latte and it tastes nice!

HELLO KITTY JAPAN

Behold! If you say "but I am a woman and I want to find kawaii stuff", they have the Hello Kitty Japan store including the cafe section!! The foods and drinks here are so kawaii that will make any woman squeal happily

Do you want to eat Hello Kitty or Gudetama custard's flavored cake?

Donuts, Bubble tea, Ice Cream, Manju. All the foods are so instagrammable!

You can also bring back the Sanrio themed mug if you order the ice cream set!

Oishii!!

You can also shop at the store where they sell thousands of official Sanrio Characters merchandises, not only Hello Kitty and the price is definitely such a steal

FASHION

Diver City is so big and you can easily spend one day in here. So after you finished eating, why not go shopping as well? If you love unique Japanese brands, they carry a lot of fashionable local brands such as Ingni, Cecil Mcbee, and others 

And if you want luxury brands, on the third floor is where all the luxury brands located.

They have a few cosmetic stores as well such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, The Body Shop, Narcis, and so on. As a woman, this is also such a tempting place because I could spend hours just swatching the make up products and would love to bring back home everything!

TAX REFUND

If you never shop in Japan, let me inform you one thing. Tax free is usually only eligible if you shop at least 5000 yen in one shop. However, Diver City allows you to combine multiple receipts if your shopping doesn't exceed 5000 yen in a single receipt, and you can bring the combined bills to the tax free counter to collect your tax refund!

I shop at 2 different cosmetic stores and when combined, it's become 5000 yen, so I'm eligible for the tax free!

They also have the Tax Free Guide printed and handed everywhere in the mall

Simply head to the Tax Free Counter and show the receipts, passport, and the purchased products. And with that, you're good to go! It's simple, fast, and efficient, even if you speak no Japanese at all

And when it's night, go out once more before leaving the mall to see the Gundam as it lits up at night, and at certain time, it also can move! How cool is that! (*_*)

ACCESS

Diver City is easily accessible from all areas in Tokyo even from both Narita and Haneda airports. The closest stations are Daiba or Tokyo Teleport Station. Even from Haneda, you can reach it in 15 mins by Limousine Bus Service! I started my trip from Shibuya and there's also a direct train to there. For more info about how to reach the mall, you can visit HERE

I also made a youtube video to show you my one day experience in this mall that you can watch below

You can also scan this QR Code to receive coupon discounts !

And that concludes my trip to Diver City. Make sure to bookmark this place on your next visit to Japan as you wont regret it. If you want to know more about this mall, you can visit DIVER CITY WEBSITE. 

Talk to you guys again on my next blog post!