LIST: Places to buy pasalubong, souvenirs in Shibuya on your Japan trip
Wherever Filipinos go, they take the practice of bringing pasalubong home with them. And when you're in a shopping haven like Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan, there are lots of tchotchkes, snacks, apparel, and more to take back to the Philippines.
Shibuya is home to plenty of shops perfect for anime and gaming fans. It's also an ultimate fashion hub as the ward houses different trendy brands and is only one train stop away from the buzzing streets of Harajuku.
If you find yourself in Tokyo, consider adding these stops to shop for pasalubong for your loved ones or yourself.
Nintendo World
Grew up playing Super Mario? Or love everything Legend of Zelda? On the sixth floor of the Parco shopping mall lies a great space to geek out: Nintendo World.
This shop houses merch for everything Nintendo. Aside from the Switch and games, you can cop items—like pins, stuffed toys, shirts, jackets, bags, phone cases—featuring your favorite characters like Mario, Link, Zelda, Kirby, Tom Nook from Animal Crossing, and more.
Pokémon Center
Across Nintendo World in Parco is the Pokémon Center where you'll find stuffed toys, figurines, stationaries, stickers, and more featuring your favorites from the video game series.
Some premium items you can also get from the shop are engagement and wedding rings. What better way to profess your love for your geeky other half than by saying "I choose you" with a Poké ball with a ring in it?
Capcom Capsule Lab
Can't be in Tokyo and miss out on Gacha culture! ICYDK, gacha is a capsule machine filled with small toys. It's similar to a coin slot machine but the fun is in getting a random toy after inserting about 100 to 500 yen (~P37 to P187) and turning the knob.
While you'll be able to spot Gachas anywhere in Shibuya, there's one newly opened place in Harajuku that offers lots of different toys and machines. In Harajuku is the Capcom Capsule Lab which recently opened in December 2023. The spot has two floors filled with rows of machines that you can play and get toys on.
ABC Mart
For sneakerheads, ABC Mart in Shibuya is a must-visit as they offer shoes from brands like New Balance, Nike, Converse, Adidas, Vans, FILA, and more at a lower price.
As an example, a Converse Chuck 70 costing around P2,195 to P4,390 in the Philippines is about 5,830 yen or around P2,174 at ABC Mart.
Don Quijote
The MEGA Don Quijote in Shibuya is one place you must go to for your pasalubong needs. This store has everything—appliances, souvenirs like ref magnets and keychains, bags, sweaters, shoes, skincare products, and even sex toys. There are eight floors in total spanning different categories.
Here, you can shop for treats that are unique to Japan like their flavored KitKats, Hi-Chew, and more.
To get tax exemption on your spends, go to the eighth floor registers and present your passport or Tax Free QR code.