Shopping Japan: Best 5 Outlet Malls In and Around Tokyo
Ready to go on a proper Tokyo-style shopping spree? If you want to save some money while getting a new wardrobe, head to the large outlet malls scattered around the suburbs of Tokyo. There are five major malls near Tokyo in total: Mitsui Outlet Park in Makuhari and Iruma, Shisui Premium Outlet near Narita Airport, Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, and Gotemba Premium Outlets.
Let’s take a look at how to get to these five major outlet malls, their main shopping features, as well as special services and discounts for international visitors!
1. Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari: Popular Among Tourists!
Not too long, ago, Mitsui Group’s outlet park even opened in Taiwan, so the Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari is a favorite among tourists from Asia. It was expanded and entirely renewed in 2015 and with extremely convenient access from Tokyo Station, it only takes 30 minutes via the JR Keiyo Line to Kaihimmakuhari Station. Take the south exit and you’re basically right in front of the outlet mall!
Several famous brands sell their products at factory prices here, so there’s many a bargain to be struck especially with sample products and clothes from the last season!
Around 93 out of 137 shops offer tax exemption service, including a wide variety of international brands (Coach, Bally, Michael Kors), Japanese brands (Nice Claup, Beams), and sports brands (Adidas, Puma, Under Armour). Make sure to bring your passport!
Of course, shopping makes hungry and a large number of restaurants will make sure to keep you fed and energized. Look forward to dining at Hawaii’s Honolulu Coffee or Pizzeria 32. Since Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari isn’t far from Tokyo at all, we recommend arriving between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and stay until the evening – that way, you’ll dodge the crowds! Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the park, so even if you’re in a group and want to split up, it’s easy to meet up again. ATMs on the first floor of the C-site resupply you with cash, should you run out of Japanese yen.
Hours
Shops: 10:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Restaurants: varies by restaurant
Closed: irregularly
MITSUI OUTLET PARK MAKUHARI
2-6-1, Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba
Kaihin-Makuhari
043-212-8200
2. Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma: A Taste of Edo
Another Mitsui Outlet Park can be found in Iruma. It takes about 1 hour by train from Ikebukuro Station via the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. At Irumashi Station, take South Exit Number 2 and a bus – 15 minutes later, you’ll be at the outlet mall.
The area of this shopping paradise is a total of 86,000 square meters, housing about 210 different shops. The selection is equally massive, boasting international brands (Dunhill, Diesel, Seiko) as much as accessories and living goods (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sanrio). No matter how old you are and what your style is, you won’t leave empty-handed!
Not only is free Wi-Fi available throughout the outlet park, there also is a free telephone interpreting service readily available. If you call the number from your smartphone, you’ll get free support for all your shopping needs!
Furthermore, 23 cafés and restaurants throughout Mitsui Outlet Park welcome hungry shoppers to take a break. The selection of food is lavish, with plenty of specialty restaurants such as meat-centric Niku no Numata or Goncha from Taiwan. This outlet mall is especially recommended for families with children! Coin lockers allow tourists to store away their luggage while going on a shopping spree, big enough for suitcases or almost every size!
One of the characteristics of Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma is the Edo-style atmosphere all around the mall, similar to famous Kawagoe. Another sightseeing highlight are the nearby Nagatoro Iwadatami Rocks, so make sure to stop by if you have some free time.
The outlet itself is open until 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. on the weekend), it’s perfect for evening shopping.
Hours
Shops: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Restaurants: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Open until 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays
Closed: irregularly
MITSUI OUTLET PARK IRUMA
3169-1, Miyadera, Iruma-shi, Saitama
Irumashi
04-2935-1616
3. Shisui Premium Outlet: Japanese Goods Galore
The Shisui Premium Outlet near Tokyo is just a 15-minute bus ride away from Narita Airport. With a fare of 350 yen, it’s a prime spot to drop by either before your flight or right after. From Tokyo Station, it takes about 50 minutes by bus. If you prefer to go by train, get off either at JR Shisui Station or Keio Shisui Station, then ride a bus to the outlet mall – that takes about 80 minutes.
One of Shisui Premium Outlet’s main characteristics is the large selection of Japanese brands, including Agnes B. Voyage, Earth Music&Ecology, Beams, Zucca, and many more. In total, about 100 domestic brands!
Even the restaurants at the outlet mall are wonderfully Japanese. Some recommendations are the omelet rice at Yamashita Seizaburo, Dotonbori Kamukura and its casual Japanese cuisine, and more. On top of that, you’ll find Harajuku’s massively popular “Garrett Popcorn” here as well, just without the queue!
Since April of last year, several hotels offer a free one-way ticket from Narita Airport to Shisui Premium Outlet, be sure to make use of it right after landing or before departure! A direct bus from the airport is also available for a fee.
If you get the transit certificate at Narita Airport Terminal 1’s Building 1 C-Block counter, or at Narita Airport Terminal 2’s South Exit 1&2 counter, you’ll also get a free souvenir at the outlet mall and special coupons! Another great service is that you can inquire about your boarding and flight information throughout the mall at any time!
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Closed: once a year, 3rd Thursday in February
Shisui Premium Outlets
2-4-1, Iizumi, Shisui-machi, Inba-gun, Chiba
Shisui
043-481-6160
4. Gotemba Premium Outlets: Shop with Mount Fuji Towering Over You!
Gotemba Premium Outlet in Shizuoka Prefecture might be the most beautiful outlet mall on the list, as Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji towers over the area. With over 200 shops, it is one of Japan’s largest outlet malls.
Compared to others, Gotemba Premium Outlet especially stands out for its rich selection of men’s apparel next to women’s clothes, boasting brands such as Céline, Alexander Wang, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gucci, and more. The park even features outlet stores of the famous Isetan and Mitsukoshi department stores and generally, everything sold is about 50% off!
Next to apparel, you’ll also find a plethora of living goods, wine specialty stores, and many more! Prominent examples are Tefal (you might know it as T-Fal), Wedgwood, and Ralph Lauren Home.
As far as restaurants go, we especially recommend Idebok. It’s a crepe and soft serve specialty store that’ll tickle your taste buds with creations made from fresh milk straight from Shizuoka’s local farms. For a savory meal, try Numazu Uogashi-zushi or Torafuku!
Access from Tokyo is surprisingly convenient, with buses running from Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Tokyo Station. Especially if you’re planning to go to Hakone and its hot springs, take the opportunity and a direct bus to Gotemba Premium Outlet. Alternatively, the Odakyu Romancecar (Asagiri Limited Express) takes you from Shinjuku Station to Gotemba Station in about 96 minutes. From there, take a free bus to the outlet mall.
Hours
March to November: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
December – February: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed: once a year, third Thursday of February
GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS
1312, Fukasawa, Gotemba-shi, Shizuoka, 412-0023, Japan
5. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza: Lush Nature Meets Outlet Mall
Take a shinkansen bullet train to Karuizawa Station and you’ll almost be right in front of Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza. Once you arrive, you’ll immediately notice the lush green that the outlet mall is surrounded by, as well as the large lake that glimmers in the sun. As far as outlet malls near Tokyo go, this one certainly is the one closest to nature. Brand such as Samsonite, Armani, Saint Laurent, Tory Burch, Ships, and even sports brands including Nike and Adidas can be found in the outlet mall’s roughly 235 shops, making it one of Japan’s largest.
The choice of restaurants is equally impressive, featuring famous chocolate makers such as Godiva and Lindt, but also Japanese classic cuisine including ramen and soba.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the outlet mall and if you own a Saison card from the Seibu Group, special campaign services wait for you as well!
To visit Tokyo’s suburbs to your heart’s content, we recommend the Tokyo Wide Pass, a ticket costing 10,000 yen and eligible for unlimited train rides for three full days.
Hours
Shops: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Restaurants: varies by restaurant
KARUIZAWA PRINCE SHOPPING PLAZA
Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi Kitasaku-gun, Nagano, 389-0102, Japan
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