2019 Kyoto Shopping Guide – A Comprehensive Mall Collection

When you think of Kyoto, what comes to mind are red torii gates and traditional geisha... However, the daily lives of locals in Kyoto are quite different from those of tourists. Today, we’ve selected four popular shopping spots frequented by locals, all located in Kyoto’s two major commercial districts: Kawaramachi and Kyoto Station.

NO.1  Kawaramachi OPA

Keywords: Youthful, Diverse

OPA is located in the bustling Shijo-Kawaramachi area, open from 11 AM to 9 PM. In an environment where most Kyoto malls close at 8 PM, this is quite rare. Kyoto OPA offers not only Japanese-brand clothing, bags, and cosmetics but also houses many Korean brands, making it a top shopping destination for young women in Japan.

[OPA] The entrance features a distinctive primary color logo, and on the large glass window to the right, there's a limited-time event display featuring Luffy. On the other side is the logo of Samantha Thavasa, a brand that almost every young Japanese woman owns.

Upon entering the mall, directly opposite you is a highly popular Korean brand. To the left is the direct shop [ASOKO] for movie and anime merchandise, specializing in goods from the latest movies or trending anime — including keychains, bags, stationery, etc. For example, the recently released movie [One Piece], available as a limited-time edition with limited stock, so once it’s gone, it’s gone.

To the right, you’ll find the main line of [Samantha Thavasa], the Japanese handbag brand considered essential for girls in Japan.

This season, the main line adopts an intellectual and mature style, featuring subdued classic colors such as black, brown, and deep red. Many items have snake or crocodile embossed textures, exuding a high-end feel that works well for both the workplace and everyday wear. Within the same series, elegant handbags and tote bags are also launched — with soft, lightweight leather and ample storage space, they’re perfect for casual styling.

On the opposite side is another sweet collection featuring Disney characters, pastel macaron colors, and delicate little pendants — a form of understated cuteness. It satisfies girlish hearts while remaining practical.

Going up a floor, you’ll find a variety of Japanese fashion brands — cute, casual, or forest-style — there’s definitely one that will tempt you to open your wallet. Among them are the lolita brand [Angelic Pretty] and the locally popular lingerie brand [Peach John]. [Angelic Pretty] has stores only in Osaka and Kyoto within the Kansai region.

[Peach John] lingerie mainly targets beautiful women aged 20 to 30. The designs incorporate lace and floral elements, with rich and versatile colors, comfortable fabric textures, and thoughtful details. The lingerie combines comfort and fashion, offering great value — a set of seasonal new arrivals can be purchased for around 200 RMB.

In Japan, another must-visit is the drugstore. Unlike some crowded ones, the [Shop IN] inside OPA not only carries a wide range of affordable cosmetic brands and products but also offers a top-notch shopping experience where you can take your time picking out the best items for yourself.

When you get tired of shopping, the restaurants in OPA are also quite unique. For example, there’s a cute cartoon-themed restaurant where the atmosphere is fully immersive, and meals and drinks are designed in the shapes of cartoon characters — it’s simply adorable and another perfect spot for photos and check-ins.

NO.2 Kyoto Station AEON Mall

Keywords: Family-friendly, Everyday Needs

To find AEON Mall, search for [AEON Kyoto Store] on Google Maps. It’s a five-minute walk from Kyoto Station and is the largest comprehensive mall in the city. Among the brands, the most recommended are Muji and the large sports shoe store ABC Mart.

As is well known, Muji products are generally cheaper in Japan than in China. Must-buy items include Muji stationery, cosmetics, snacks, waterproof canvas shoes, and more — all available in one stop at Kyoto AEON.

Speaking of Muji snacks, there are too many must-buys. Recently, they’ve even re-released classic Japanese snacks from the past, each pack priced at just 99 yen — perfect for enjoying while watching dramas. The AEON store offers a special fukubukuro (lucky bag) version, where two popular strawberry-filled chocolates come with a traditional Japanese storage pouch — great for keeping or giving as a gift.

Another highlight is MUJI suitcases — the details of the design will make you marvel, “No wonder it’s Japan!” They offer ample storage space, are lightweight, and have adjustable handle heights. But what really won me over is the omnidirectional wheel design — with a locking function activated by a button on the handle, so you no longer have to worry about the suitcase sliding when braking.

The most unique service at this Muji store is bicycle rentals. The deposit is 3,000 yen, and it costs just 500 yen per day (tax excluded). Apparently, this service is only available at the Ginza store and Kyoto AEON — don’t miss the chance to try it out.

Finally, there’s ABC-Mart, which hosts a range of major sportswear brands, including the wildly popular Japanese Converse and VANS, which have launched limited-edition T-shirts.

The charm of AEON isn’t limited to shopping, tax-free services, and more — it also offers specialty restaurants, Japanese arcades, and a large supermarket. That’s why you’ll often see families here on weekends, making it a great destination for family trips to Japan.

NO.3 Tokyu Hands

Keywords: Creative Souvenirs, Japanese Miscellany

Kyoto Tokyu Hands is very conveniently located, within a one-minute walk from Hankyu Karasuma Station and Kyoto Subway Shijo Station. The store offers everything from daily necessities and stationery to cosmetics and luggage — you could easily spend an entire day here without getting bored.

Such as skincare and cosmetics, insulated bottles, luggage...

My personal recommendations are the postcards and traditional Japanese items. Postcards featuring Kyoto’s tourist attractions are sure to delight your friends. Traditional items from the historic Kyoto shop [Miyaie], like small Japanese-style bags or ornaments, also carry a strong Japanese vibe.

NO.4 Kyoto AVANTI

Keywords: affordable, bulk shopping

Kyoto AVANTI is just a one-minute walk from the underground passage of Kyoto Station, so you don’t have to worry about wind or rain. The first floor is where you can buy tickets and gather for airport buses, making it the perfect final stop for last-minute shopping.For drugstores, we recommend the famous Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Don Quijote.

Don Quijote offers an affordable shopping experience—practically free when rounded off. Meanwhile, Matsumoto Kiyoshi carries a full range of popular Japanese medicines and cosmetics, as well as many niche brands, such as 【ARGELEN】’s multi-color lipsticks, essential for autumn and winter. They’re moisturizing and hydrating, and the colors look great even with a no-makeup look.

For shopping, we recommend GU, a youth-oriented brand under UNIQLO. It offers more fashionable styles at more affordable prices, and you can enjoy tax-free shopping and pay via Alipay.

Finally, we recommend a revolving sushi restaurant called “CHOJRO.” It has a pleasant atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and food that looks absolutely appetizing.