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In 2023, tourists spent more than ever in Japan. But where did their cash go? A study just came out with some answers on hot spots to check out on your next trip.
Top spots by native language
Honichi Lab (訪日ラボ) is a media platform that encompasses all news and data related to inbound tourism for an audience of inbound marketing professionals. In addition to releasing its own studies on Japan’s top destinations for foreign tourists, it provides summaries of government data on inbound tourism.
Recently, the company released its rankings for Japan’s top shopping spots. They also shared insight into which venues attract the most of the following language speakers: English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, and Thai.
Using data collected between January 2nd and 15th this year, Honichi Lab sorted nearly 3,000 reviews to yield answers for which shopping areas are attracting the most foreign spenders. Be sure to check out some of these markets – some of which have a long and storied history in Japan – on your next trip here.
Nishiki Market: Japan’s all-star kitchen
If Kyoto was a restaurant, Nishiki Market would be the kitchen. 122 storefronts line a 390-meter street, cemented in a 400-year-old history. (Check out a virtual tour)
Originally a fish market, it became a gathering point for all Kyoto cuisine. That includes Kyoto vegetables, whale, yuba, namafu, and regional home-cooked meals.
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Entering under the red, green, and yellow roof that stretches above the seemingly never-ending hallway of food, adventurous foodies go into dopamine overload at every stick with food on one end: octopus, fish, dashimaki egg, tempura, mochi, and so much more.
You would think that a place packed with food gets unwanted visits from animals and pests. And you’re right! Just last December, two monkeys were spotted in the area. Fortunately, they left the market unscathed.
On the contrary, tourists were more of a nuisance last year. Overcrowding caused congestion in the market and longtime customers from local areas were unable to shop. Tourists eating in front of stores – an increasingly common problem – made matters worse. Before officials ban eating on public roads just like they canceled Halloween last year, best to follow local customs and refrain from eating on the street…
Canal City Hakata: a city within a city
Approximately 250 shops, cafes, restaurants, a theater, an arcade, two hotels, and of course a canal are in this mammoth complex. In terms of food options, there’s a bit of everything. Want Japanese? Canal City Hakata has nine Japanese restaurants. Want a mall date but fancy? There’s also a Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse.
Not hungry? Be a cliche tourist and buy too much at the Ghibli and Sanrio store. They’re both tax-free as are most other shops.
Gotenba Premium Outlets: Scenery winner
Not in the mood for shopping while your significant other snags some deals? This shopping mall, located in Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture, has a view of Mt. Fuji, so at least you have something to look at while you wait!
300 stores in this mall can be seen from above when you ride the facility’s Ferris wheel. There’s also a hot spring and hotel if you want to hunker down and stay a while.
Tsukiji Outer Market: A fish paradise
Tokyo’s famed fish market has a rich history dating back to Japan’s Edo era. The spot became popular among the younger generation in Japan starting with in 2000 thanks to the opening of the Oedo subway line. It’s remained a popular spot for both residents and eager tourists ever since.
400 stalls cutting and cooking the freshest of fish make up what could be a school science fair for food prepared by professionals. In the winter, steam puffs out from underneath the roofs of each stall, mixing in the air so that tourists are overwhelmed with how good everything smells.
Other data from the survey
Popularity across all languages
1. Nishiki Market, or Nishiki-Ichiba (錦市場), KYOTO
2. Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多), FUKUOKA
3. Roppongi Hills (六本木ヒルズ), TOKYO
4. Gotemba Premium Outlets (御殿場プレミアム・アウトレット), SHIZUOKA
5. Shinsekai (新世界), OSAKA
6. Tsukiji Outer Market, Tsukiji-Jōgai-Shijou (築地場外市場), TOKYO
7. Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場), OSAKA
8. Karato Fish Market, Karato-Ichiba (唐戸市場), YAMAGUCHI
9. Ueno Ameyoko Shopping District, Ueno Ameyoko Shōtengai (上野アメ横商店街), TOKYO
10. Hankyū Umeda Main Store, (阪急うめだ本店), OSAKA
Shopping centers with most reviews in foreign languages
1. Takunikoji Shopping Street, Tanuki-Kōji-Shōtengai (狸小路商店街), HOKKAIDO
2. Miyagawa Morning Markets, Hida-Takayama-Miyagawa-Asaichi (飛騨高山宮川朝市), GIFU
3. Tsukiji Outer Market
English speakers’ top reviews
1. Nishiki Market
2. Gotemba Premium Outlets
3. Canal City Hakata
Chinese (traditional) speakers’ top reviews
1. Tsukiji Outer Market
2. Canal City Hakata
3. Kuromon Ichiba
Chinese (simplified) speakers’ top reviews
1. Nishiki Market
2. Tsukiji Outer Market
3. Kyoto Station Building
Korean speakers’ top reviews
1. Canal City Hakata
2. Nishiki Market
3. Roppongi Hills
Thai speakers’ top reviews
1. Karato Fish Market
2. Gotemba Premium Outlets
3. Canal City Hakata
Sources
[1] 外国人に人気の商業施設ランキング！六本木ヒルズが3位、1位は？. 訪日ラボ
[2] 京都・錦市場付近で2ひきのサル！？ 市が注意呼びかけ. ABCニュース
[3] 京の観光公害再び…錦市場のなじみ客「今は行きにくい」、嵯峨野線は「パンク状態」. 読売新聞
[4] 築地を知る. Tsukiji Market Official Web site
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