Your Ultimate Guide to Buying Uniqlo in Japan - WAmazing Discover (2024)

Get to know Uniqlo

Uniqlo stands as a quintessential brand in Japan's fast fashion scene, known for its range of timeless, understated designs, and diverse selection of sizes. Since the early 2000s, it's been expanding its reach abroad and building a global fanbase.

Despite being a fast fashion brand, Uniqlo also incorporates premium materials like wool and linen. Moreover, their collaborative collections with major fashion brands and designers worldwide are incredibly appealing.

Uniqlo also offers high-performance gear like the cooling Airism series and the warmth-inducing Heattech line, all at wallet-friendly prices.

Buy Uniqlo products tax-free

Shopping at brick-and-mortar Uniqlo stores in Japan is usually cheaper compared to their overseas counterparts, which have to calculate import rates into their price policy.

To make your shopping experience at Uniqlo outlets in Japan even more affordable, check the below requirements to qualify for tax-free benefits:

• Your purchase amount within the same store on the same day must be at least JPY 5,500 (excluding tax.)
• Your period of stay cannot exceed 6 months.
• Your visa status has to be "Temporary Visitor," "Diplomat," or "Official Business."
• You hold a passport with a landing permission stamp, or have a permit such as Landing Permission for Crew Members, etc.

If you have a QR code for tax exemption from Visit Japan Web, you will not need to present a passport or permit. For more details, check Uniqlo’s official website.

Get a bang for your buck at Uniqlo's Thank You Sale

In Japan, Uniqlo holds its Thank You Sale campaign twice a year, typically around May to June and November, at major stores nationwide and online. The exact dates are usually announced shortly before the event.

During the sale period, popular items are discounted by up to 20-30 percent, accompanied by limited-time special offers such as giveaways of exclusive items.

Shop at Uniqlo's 3 Global Flagship Stores in Japan

Global flagship stores are extra-large outlets that showcase an extensive range of merchandise along with limited edition products. Starting with the Uniqlo Soho New York Store in the United States, the brand has been expanding its presence across Europe and Asia. Read on below for information on Japan’s three current global flagship stores.

Uniqlo Ginza

The Uniqlo Ginza Store initially opened in March 2012, and turned into a global flagship store in September 2021, featuring 12 floors of retail space across 5,000 square meters.

Notable for its unique displays, the store caters to the influx of overseas visitors in the Ginza area. It offers specialized sections for women's lingerie, and suits, and even houses the Uniqlo Coffee cafe on the 12th floor, where you can unwind after your shopping spree.

The lifestyle and shopping hub also provides a special embroidery service, where you can have your purchased items personalized.

Uniqlo Ginza Store
Address: Ginza Komatsu East Building, 6-9-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 4-min walk from Ginza Station (Exit A2)
Official website: https://map.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/detail/10101397 (in Japanese only)

Uniqlo Tokyo

Uniqlo Tokyo, located also in the capital’s posh Ginza district, is Japan's largest flagship store as of its opening in June 2020. It spans four floors across 5,000 square meters.

Renowned Japanese designer Kashiwa Sato served as the creative director for this stunning outlet, while the design team was led by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron—Pritzker Architecture Prize winners, known for their impressive high-ceiling designs.

Uniqlo Tokyo
Address: Marronnier Gate Ginza 2, 1-4F, 3-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 4-min walk from Yurakucho Station
Official website: https://map.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/detail/10101701 (in Japanese only)

Visit both Uniqlo stores in Ginza and get around the city with the Tokyo Subway Ticket and enjoy unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines, including access to the aforementioned stations.

Uniqlo Osaka

Uniqlo Osaka, Japan’s third global flagship store, opened in October 2014 in Osaka's bustling Umeda district. Spanning four floors and covering 2,940 square meters, it offers fashionable displays and a convenient location just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu Umeda Station.

Uniqlo Osaka
Address: 1-32 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Hankyu Umeda Station (Chayamachi Exit)
Official website: https://map.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/detail/10101525 (in Japanese only)

Get around the Kansai Region and Osaka with the Kansai Area Pass, which includes one-day passes for unlimited rides on Hankyu Railway and Kyoto Municipal Subway trains.

Meanwhile, the Kansai Wide Area Pass, valid for five consecutive days, allows you to not only explore Osaka and the Kansai Region but to venture further to Tottori and Okayama prefectures in the Chugoku Region, as well as Takamatsu City in Shikoku, Japan's fourth largest island.

Shop at Uniqlo's Global Hotspot Stores

Uniqlo's Global Hotspot Stores are known for their vast array of seasonal collections arranged in a single lineup, along with locally integrated, entertainment-focused displays and expansive sales floors.

Ikebukuro Sunshine 60 Dori Store

Spanning six floors with a sales floor area of 2,650 square meters, this store is located within the commercial facility Ikebukuro Globe on Ikebukuro Sunshine 60 Street.

Okachimachi Store

Located in the Okachimachi Yoshiike Main Store Building across from JR Okachimachi Station, this Global Hotspot Store spans four floors across 2,800 square meters. Overseas visitors can shop at ease as many of the staff can speak English, Chinese, and Korean.

Kichijoji Store

Located just a two-minute walk from Kichijoji Station, this store spans seven floors across 2,650 square meters. It is also home to Uniqlo Japan's second-largest children's clothing section.

Must-buy Uniqlo products

Uniqlo has a lineup of timeless, functional classics that stand the test of time. Here are three of Uniqlo's most popular staples that are must-haves in your wardrobe.

Heattech undergarments

Uniqlo's Heattech series is a fan favorite for its lightweight fabric that wicks moisture and keeps you warm in the cold. Alongside its signature innerwear, Heattech offers a colorful range of clothing and accessories, as well as thicker variations like Ultra Warm and Extra Warm.

Down parkas and jackets

Uniqlo releases a wide variety of winter coats and jackets each year, ranging from trendy styles to perennial favorites, such as the Seamless Down Parka and the Ultra Light Down Jacket.

For men, there's the sleek Hybrid Down Parka, which is compact and easy to carry around. Meanwhile, women are drawn to the chic Ultra Light Down Long Vest, which is great for layering during colder seasons.

UT T-shirts

Uniqlo's UT Collection offers a range of T-shirts inspired by pop culture, including art, music, film, and anime. The collection also includes Japanese-themed T-shirts and collaborations with local artists, providing a delightful selection experience.

Customize your Uniqlo T-shirts at UTme!

Via the UTme! mobile app(iOS/Android,) you can create personalized merchandise. Choose from a selection of stickers and colors, or use your own photos and texts. Finished designs can be printed on T-shirts, hoodies, or tote bags inside designated stores, making it the perfect souvenir to take home, or gift to loved ones.

Get better savings on Uniqlo products in Japan

Both Uniqlo Global Flagship Stores and Global Hotspot Stores are designed to cater to overseas travelers as well, offering a wide range of products, as well as multilingual support and tax-free services. If you're thinking of adding a few new Uniqlo pieces to your wardrobe, take advantage of discount campaigns and tax-free services while you're in Japan.

After clothing shopping at Uniqlo, find more souvenirs like snacks, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages, and anime goods at WAmazing Shop. Simply place your order online and pick up your order hassle-free at our lockers in airports throughout Japan, saving you time to enjoy sightseeing with ease.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

For the best places to stay during your Japan trip, click the button below.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.