Ginza LOFT: your one-stop shop for souvenirs and more

On April 26, 2019, the Ginza branch of renowned lifestyle store LOFT reopened! So we decided to check out the store for our readers and show you what all you can buy in this amazing place.

LOFT FOODLAB

On the first floor, you can grab a bite to eat the cafe. Open through the day, you can drop by for brunch or teatime too. Selling breads and desserts made using Japanese wheat is GARDEN HOUSE CRAFTS, then you have a restaurant that started in Kyoto called Sawa, as well as Super Ice Creamery, where you can shop for ice cream made with carefully selected ingredients and state-of-the-art technology.

Japanese souvenirs on the 6th floor

Almost all tourists plan a trip to Ginza, so if you're looking for reasonable souvenirs head to the 6th floor. You can buy various goods related to Japanese culture, character goods and also chance upon pop-up stores. Here, we introduce some unique Japanese souvenirs that aren't too heavy.
Snow Dome featuring aspects of Tokyo

LOFT is not a shrine or temple but you can still buy cute Omikuji! These ceramic statues have a slot where your omikuji is hidden.

The space is divided based on themes or motifs so you can veer to things you like: Mt Fuji, Maneki Neko, Daruma, Sumo to name a few.

Stationery corner on the 5th floor

Almost all lifestyle stores in Japan have a floor dedicated to writing and craft materials and LOFT is no different.

You will see similar products as other stores but there will also be some limited-edition goods as well as unique items like this Goshuincho (御朱印帳). Check our feature on Goshuin to know more!

One of the new things we found was an Omikujicho (おみくじ帳). If Goshuincho is a notebook for collecting stamps from temples, Omikujicho is a notebook to collect Omikuji, or fortunes. In Omikujicho, there is a space where you can write down the date and the name of the temple where who picked your fortune.

Test cosmetics before purchase

The second floor is dedicated to health and beauty products. At the Tester Bar, you can try a range of cosmetics that are available for purchase. Isn't this great?

From mascaras to eyeliners, base makeup, brushes, etc. you name it, and you'll find a test sample! Being able to test makeup especially lipsticks and eye shadows is essential to know if it suits your skin tone.

Create unique pendants

You can decorate pendant by adding various parts to a transparent heart-shaped casing. Wouldn't it be ideal for children to take part in this activity?

Sake on the 4th floor

The fourth floor has miscellaneous lifestyle goods but among the many products, you can also find a range of sake (nihonshu and shochu).
Nihonshu is an ideal gift for someone who likes to try liquor from different countries.

If you don't want to carry glass bottles full of liquid, how about buying these "o-chokko," tiny cups for sipping sake? The Mt. Fuji ones look classy and since Mt. Fuji is a symbol of Japan, there couldn't be anything cooler as a gift!

There was also a cup with a new era name, Reiwa.

Beverages you can't find at convenience stores

Next to the cafe on the first floor, you can also buy various beverages from around Japan: flavors ranging from salty ciders to watermelon.

There was also a variety of flavors of fruity aamazake, which is a traditional sweet, low-alcohol Japanese drink made from fermented rice.

Even if you don't wish to buy, the bottle labels are quite unique and cute. You can enjoy browsing through the umpteen flavors.

So are you sold on stopping by during your trip to Tokyo? You can buy souvenirs starting from as little as 100 yen!

GINZA LOFT

3-minute walk from exit C8, C9 of Ginza Station; 1-minute walk from Exit 5 of Ginza Itchome Station (both on Tokyo Metro) Opening hours: 11:00-21:00 (*Duty free on the 3rd floor until 20:30) Official website: https://www.loft.co.jp/ginzaloft/

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