My Favorite Shopping Malls in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto)
Last Updated on November 1, 2024 by Kay
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There are endless things to see and do in Japan, but one place I highly recommend visiting is a shopping mall. If you live in Japan, it’s likely you’ll end up going to one at some point and you’ll find how convenient it is! (Most of) these malls have almost everything you need, from grocery stores and interior goods to restaurants and arcades as well as, of course, stores that sell a variety of products for all ages.
Malls are also excellent places to take kids, especially when it’s raining or super hot outside. I’ve been taking my daughter to malls in Japan ever since she was a newborn baby and now that she’s older, there are plenty of things for her to do at malls as well. It’s not just for mom to shop!
In this article, I’ll share my favorite shopping malls in Japan. These malls can be found throughout the country, especially in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Table of Contents
LaLaport
I love LaLaport. It’s a massive, multi-floor shopping mall chain that completely blew me away the first time I visited.
LaLaport has familiar brand-name shops such as ZARA, Colombia, DAISO, MUJI, and UNIQLO, but you will also find Japan-only stores as well like 3COINS, KEYUCA, OLYMPIA, Joshin, and Tokyu Hands.
You’ll also find that every LaLaport mall has a major children’s store, such as Akachan Honpo or Toys R Us/Babies R Us, that sells everything you need for kids. I’m talking diapers, formula, toys — you name it, it’s there.
Depending on the branch, there are also fun things for kids to do. Sometimes there are free events for kids as well. For instance, my daughter attended LaLaport’s Splatoon event that was held last summer, which had fun summer festival games for kids.
Tokyo LaLaport Malls
Tokyo Bay (my personal favorite)
Osaka LaLaport Malls
EXPOCITY
Kadoma (has a Sumikko Gurashi indoor playground and a Costco!)
Kobe LaLaport Malls
Koshien (this is where Kidzania is located!)
AEON Mall
AEON Mall is a Japanese shopping mall chain located throughout the country. It’s typically smaller than LaLaport and doesn’t have as many high-end shops, but it’s perfect for families in Japan or someone looking to see how locals in Japan shop.
There are no AEON Malls in Tokyo, unfortunately, so you’ll need to make a trip to the surrounding prefectures if you want to go. Although AEON Malls tend to be on the smaller side, AEON LakeTown has three AEON malls — mori, kaze, and OUTLET, making them the largest shopping malls in Japan (!).
There’s also an AEON Mall next to Narita Airport and another in Makuhari in Chiba, about 35 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
The easiest AEON Malls to get to in Osaka include AEON Mall Rinku Sennan, which is near Kansai International Airport, and my personal favorite, AEON Mall Itami, which is less than a 30-minute train ride from Osaka Station. (AEON Mall Itami has some of the EASIEST crane games my husband and I have found in Japan, but shh, don’t let them know I told you because they might increase the difficulty!)
In Kyoto, there’s an AEON Mall right next to Kyoto Station.
In Kobe, AEON Mall is called Kobe Harborland umie. It’s very easy to access since it’s only a 7-minute walk from Kobe Station.
Q’s Mall
Q’s Mall is an Osaka-only chain of shopping malls. Interestingly, you need to go outside to travel from one part of the mall to the other, meaning that it’s not the best to visit when it’s raining. (However, they do offer free rental umbrellas.)
Like other malls, they have children’s stores, a grocery store, a food court, restaurants, and smaller Japanese clothing stores.
The easiest Q’s Malls to get to in Osaka include Abeno and Minoh. (The Minoh Q’s Mall is especially pretty in spring as it has lots of cherry blossom trees!)
PARCO
This was my go-to shopping mall before I had a kid. I don’t go as often anymore because there isn’t one nearby but I think it’s a solid shopping mall in Japan.
PARCO focuses more on popular Japanese clothing brands for young adults, restaurants, and beauty products. However, the Shibuya PARCO has a Nintendo Store, JUMP SHOP and Pokemon Center.
PARCO in Tokyo
PARCO in Osaka
Shibuya 109
This was another favorite shopping mall of mine back when I was a young 20-something in Japan.
Shibuya 109 is one of the most famous landmarks in Shibuya, making it a popular meeting place for women that rivals Hachiko. It’s mainly known for carrying youth fashion and its cute restaurants and cafes.
This mall is unlike any other I’ve been to in Japan so I will always have a soft spot for it. However, I will say that in the past, Shibuya 109 had unique stores you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Unfortunately, like with many places in Japan, this is changing and there are more chain stores than before.