Where should I go beauty shopping in Tokyo?
This would have to be one of my most frequently asked questions on Instagram and email, so I have finally decided to put together a list of the Japanese beauty stores that I love to visit in Tokyo.
I first started compiling and researching this list whilst I was living in Tokyo (I lived there for four years and visit now for work). I have even guided International beauty professionals on their “trend trekking” or inspiration/ research trips in Tokyo.
There are so many different types of beauty store in Tokyo for you to discover, with an enormous number of Japanese beauty brands, at every imaginable price point! So, I have started with the best general or “all-rounder” beauty stores and will lead on to the more unique and niche. I have previously posted about some of these Tokyo beauty shopping locations before, so I have linked those post below where available.
I will continue to update and add as much as possible to post as I discover more great Tokyo beauty shopping locations!
Enjoy discovering the world of Japanese beauty in Tokyo xx
@cosme TOKYO
A true Japanese beauty mega-store opened in January 2020, a Flagship store for @cosme. The hugely popular Japanese beauty ranking website @cosme has opened a Japanese beauty lovers dream store, over three levels, complete with multiple product ranking displays and inviting tester bars for all of their products. This is a place to visit for your ultimate J-beauty fix.
Read more about @cosme TOKYO.
Ainz & Tulpe
A big beauty store layout over 2 levels, with all of the latest cometic, bath, haircare and skincare brands. I love that along with all of the usual drug store brands, you can also find SKII, YA-MAN and Koh Gen Do here. Plus super easy tax-free shopping!
Get all the details here –Ainz & Tulpe.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi
Japanese drugstores really are something else, and I definitely recommend that you visit one just for the experience! There are many different drugstore chains, the easiest to find is Matsumoto Kiyoshi as it is very recognisable with it’s yellow and blue branding. The stores are crazy, loud and cramped. But this is where my love of Japanese beauty started (literally this store in Roppongi) and I still love to visit the drugstore to grab my favourite bargain beauty products.
Read more here in my previous post- Matsumoto Kiyoshi.
Plaza
If the Japanese drugstore is just too much for you, Plaza stores stores are the perfect place to shop for the best drugstore brands, as well as cute character gifts and snacks. Make sure you pick up some of the super popular Saborino sheet masks (Plaza often has their own limited edition versions) and Momo Puri skincare. Plaza stores are located all over Tokyo in major shopping areas like Lumine (Shinjuku, Ginza) and Shibuya 109.
Click here for a full Store List.
Isetan Mirror
If you are in the market for high-quality Japanese beauty products you can’t go wrong with a visit to Isetan Mirror. There are multiple locations around Tokyo, and they are beautifully designed to allow customers to touch and try the products for themselves, so if you are in the mood to find a new lipstick or eyeshadow this is the store for you. I love that the store is set up both by brand and also category ie. lipsticks, you are encouraged to spend time trying out the products to find one that is right for you, if you need help of course there are helpful staff as well. A great store to discover Japanese beauty brands like Luna Sol, Addiction and Shiro.
Read more in my post here- Isetan Mirror
Isetan Shinjuku
Isetan Beauty Park
The impressive Isetan Beauty Park has just been renovated and is the BEST place to discover Japanese beauty brands in the one location. Prestige brands like Shiseido, Cle de Peau, Suqqu, Albion, Shiro, POLA, MDNA Skin and SKII sit alongside uber-fashionable drugstore brand FLOWFUSHI .
More information here.
Beauty Apothecary
If natural and organic beauty products are more your thing, make sure you visit the Isetan Shinjuku – Beauty Apothecary (B2F) . This area is dedicated to natural and organic skincare, cosmetics, hair care, body care, supplements, and even food and wine.
Shop here to discover my favourite brands: Shigeta, uka, Et Vos, Shiro and Shaquda.
Cosme Kitchen
Cosme Kitchen is a chain of natural beauty stores that are conveniently located in most major shopping areas of Tokyo (and beyond). Cosme Kitchen has a great selection of natural and organic skincare, cosmetics, body and hair care. It is a must visit store when I am in Japan!
Read more here about Cosme Kitchen.
ShinQs- Shibuya Hikarie
Conveniently located right next to Shibuya station, ShinQs Beauty floor (B1F) showcases a great selection of Japanese beauty brands like POLA, RMK, Kanebo, THREE and Neal’s Yard. As well as some unique Japanese beauty accessory brands like Kobako and Hakuhodo (the most amazing Japanese makeup brushes- pictured above).
There is also a Cosme Kitchen (1F) and a small drugstore AP by American Pharmacy (B1F). With this variety of stores and brands it definitely makes ShinQs a favourite for beauty shopping.
THREE Aoyama
THREE Aoyama is the flagship store for the amazing THREE beauty brand. I LOVE visiting this concept store in the fashionable back streets of Aoyama. The store presentation changes seasonally and the creative imagery for THREE is my favourite (I often post their latest images on my Instagram)- the staff are very helpful and there is a delicious, healthy restaurant, Revive Kitchen that is also worth a visit.
Read more about THREE here and more details for THREE Aoyma here.
I would add the basement floor of Ginza Six in Ginza. It boasts an impressive number of stores of different brands in a gorgeous shopping center.