For most people traveling through Japan from Tokyo to the ancient capital of Kyoto or to the vibrant city of Osaka, the obvious way to get there is by train on the highly popular Shinkansen. Once you’ve taken a ride, you’ll immediately understand why it’s such a favourite choice for travellers, and it’ll make you wish trains back home were even half as reliable and clean.
One big tip: don’t rush straight to the platform! The shops inside the station including PLUSTA, are where you can find some of the best things to buy in Japan, as they stock snacks, special souvenirs, and of course food and bento lunchboxes that you can enjoy while on the Shinkansen.
In this guide, we’ll take you through what you can buy in station shops and what you don’t want to miss in those busy moments before boarding your train.
Things to Buy in Japan: Station Shopping
Station Shopping for Memorable Things to Buy in Japan
When taking the Shinkansen in Japan, not only will you find the trains are faster, but the train stations themselves are designed in a different way to most train stations in the UK and Europe. Walking around Japanese stations, you’ll find modern complexes spanning several floors, with a range of restaurants, including ‘ramen streets’ like the famous one in Tokyo, along with underground shopping streets, and department stores built directly on top of stations or next to them.
The closest UK train station to a Japanese train station is probably St Pancras International, but even then the scale of Japanese train stations is simply on another level, reaching over 100 stores inside Tokyo Station, where you’ll certainly get a chance to find memorable things to buy in Japan. Apart from food and last minute souvenirs, you can also come across a Uniqlo store inside the station like I did on a previous trip where I picked up some AIRism t-shirts at a super reasonable price.
Shop for Your Food, Gifts, and Travel Essentials Before or After Your Train Journey
As you may have realised by now, train stations in Japan aren’t just for catching trains. Don’t worry if you had to skip a meal to cram in sightseeing, as ‘ekinaka’ (inside the station) you’ll be able to grab everything from freshly baked pastries to intricate wagashi sweets.
For busy travelers or those on a tight schedule, Japan’s ‘ekinaka’ shopping is really a lifesaver. You can pick up an onigiri or a bento box for your journey, and explore unique regional products or local crafts that could easily count among the best things to buy in Japan.
All of this without having to go far from your platform, making it easy to tick off your gift and souvenir list before or after your train journey.
What is PLUSTA?
You wouldn’t be wrong thinking that PLUSTA has the appearance of a convenience store, and it brings the ease and comfort you can expect from one. The store name blends ‘+’ and ‘station’ with the idea being that it adds something extra to your journey.
However, PLUSTA goes further than your regular neighbourhood ‘conbini’. Yes it stocks a carefully selected range of high-quality food like onigiri rice balls and bento lunchboxes, but it’s also a place where you can pick up exclusive regional specialties and premium gifts.
So whether you’re shopping for someone else or treating yourself, it’s worth slowing down as you may spot one or more item that’s just the right size to bring back home.
Where to Find PLUSTA
A first visit to Japan wouldn’t be complete without visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, or Nagoya, all located on what’s called the ‘Golden Route’ of Japan. PLUSTA can be found on all the major stops along the Golden route, making it possible to explore the best things to buy in Japan without leaving train stations. What I found when in Nagoya Station in Central Japan is there was more than one PLUSTA store, and all were round the corner from JR ticket gates, making it quick to make purchases shortly before getting to the Shinkansen tracks.
Things to Buy at PLUSTA
Things to Buy in Japan for Your Needs at PLUSTA
Onigiri rice balls are probably my favourite food whenever I’m travelling in Japan, and at PLUSTA you can grab a variety of rice ball, along with a range of special bento lunchboxes including premium Wagyu or seafood ones. Aside from the quick bites, you can grab drinks and even Japanese whisky or sake which could be a great potential souvenir when considering things to buy in Japan. The store also offers a nice selection of popular snacks and regional limited edition exclusives, making it a great place to pick up unique gifts from across Japan.
If you’re wondering what kind of local foods and edible gifts you can find, here are a few popular examples we see in their regional branches:
- Tokyo: The famous Tokyo Banana. This is a must-buy small soft sponge cake with a lovely rich banana custard cream.
- Nagoya: Ogura Toast Langue de Chat. These are delicate biscuits that are inspired by Nagoya’s classic breakfast served with sweet red bean toast.
- Kyoto: Kyoto Black Thunder is a chocolate bar with an authentic Kyoto-style matcha flavour.
- Kyoto: Hime Senjyu Senbei Organic Matcha is made using organically grown Uji matcha.
- Shin-Osaka: Takopatier is a savoury pastry made in the pursuit of traditional Osaka Takoyaki flavours but by adding walnuts and caramel, the pâtissier behind Takopatier has created a truly unique taste.
5 Best Things to Buy in Japan from PLUSTA Gift Tokyo Yaesu Chuo
One of the great things about Ekinaka shops is that most of the items they sell are well-packaged and light. So it’ll be easy to pack them in your luggage or carry on bags. So when you know you may be close to your luggage limit, and still need a gift for family and friends, PLUSTA provides a great solution.
Since we know Tokyo is the number 1 visited destination, here’s our recommended list of the 5 Best Things to Buy in Japan for your souvenirs and gifts at PLUSTA Gift Tokyo Yaesu Chuo (Central):
- Tokyo Banana: As we wrote about above, this is a favourite of many travellers. Since it’s not possible to easily get this outside of Japan, try to grab a box before heading back to the airport.
- Tokyo Banana Brulee Tart: This is a variation of Tokyo Banana, a banana-shaped chocolate tart topped with a bittersweet caramel sauce.
- Tokyo Hiyoko: Being shaped like a chick, it’s immediately recognisable and comes with a delicious yellow bean paste filling inside. It’s perfect when you want to enjoy a hot drink with a more traditional and refined Japanese sweet.
- Sugar Butter Tree Sandwich: A great gift that will please anyone, it’s a crunchy cereal cookie coated in butter and sugar that act as the sandwich to a creamy white chocolate filling.
- Fried Squid Chips: It’s not for sweet tooth lovers, but if you like savoury senbei rice crackers, this is a firm choice (pun intended) with crunchy textures.
Where to Find More Great Things to Buy in Japan
Looking for Japanese skincare, sheet masks, and cosmetics as part of your souvenir haul of things to buy in Japan? Drugstores or pharmacies are usually easy to spot within the station or close to it, and where you can find popular Japanese skincare brands and cosmetics for less than you’d pay back home.
For top-quality Japanese kitchenware, and those highly in demand Japanese kitchen knives, make your way to Tokyo’s Kappabashi Shopping Street. There are over 170 shops there selling professional-graded knives and tableware, and it’s only a few stops from Toyko Station on the train with one change.
Tax-free Purchases in Japan
Did you know Japan has a tax-free shopping system for visitors? It lets you take off the 10% consumption tax on eligible purchases in store. To qualify, you’ll need to spend at least 5,000 yen (before tax) and show your passport with a valid temporary visitor stamp. Keep an eye out for stores with the “Tax-Free” sign, or just ask the staff if you’re unsure.
There’s a change coming, though. What this means is that from November 2026, instead of getting the tax deducted at the store, you’ll pay the full price including consumption tax and then claim your refund at the airport. So be sure to hang on to your receipts for a hassle free process!
Practical Tips for PLUSTA Shopping During Your Journey
To make the most of PLUSTA shopping during your trip:
✅Shop before Boarding
The best time to shop is before boarding for your travel essentials. However, PLUSTA has long opening hours, so you can also buy food and drinks after getting off trains before heading to your hotel.
✅Use IC Cards for Quick Payment
Contactless transit cards like Suica and ICOCA make checkout fast and easy. You can also use cash, credit card, e-money and barcode payment. For payment options, see the Accepted Payment Methods page.
✅Check Expiry Dates
Since many items at PLUSTA are fresh food, they may have short shelf lives. If you’re thinking of taking them back home, check the dates carefully.
✅Don’t Forget the Drinks
PLUSTA offers a wide selection of beverages, including alcoholic drinks like beer, and high-quality bottled green teas, that typically you won’t find in standard vending machines.
✅Look for the “New” Sign
PLUSTA frequently introduces limited-time collaborations. If you see a sign saying “新発売” (Shin-hatsubai), it means “New Release”, and these products are often the most unique things to buy in Japan at that moment.
Final Thoughts
Since you’ll be using trains to travel between cities on your itinerary, take advantage of your time at the station by exploring the shops tucked inside and nearby.
One store that you should remember to look out for is PLUSTA. Think of it as your go-to stop for all the best things to buy in Japan: from perfectly wrapped onigiri and gorgeous wagashi sweets to special railway-themed souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else.
It’s ideal for last-minute gifts or snagging those items you missed while wandering the city. Whether you’re hopping on the Shinkansen or heading to the airport, PLUSTA makes it convenient and easy to take a little piece of Japan home with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gifts bought at Japanese train stations suitable for all ages?
Absolutely! Stores in Japanese train stations have pretty much something for everyone. You’ll find tasty Japanese snacks for kids, premium sake or whisky for adults, and lucky charms, stationery, or other unique items that appeal to all ages. With so many options, this makes train stations or adjacent locations a convenient place to discover things to buy in Japan.
What are unique things to buy in Japan?
Some typical things to buy in Japan include boxed wagashi sweets, high-quality skincare products like Biore and Shiseido, and anime related goods. Traditional places to buy souvenirs in Tokyo are Kappabashi for Japanese knives or Akihabara for electronics. Inside Japanese train stations at stores like PLUSTA, you can also find unique snacks and limited-edition souvenirs that are hard to find in other regions.
All information is accurate as of the date of publishing the article, but we would recommend checking the PLUSTA website along with other relevant websites for the latest information.
For disclosure, this is sponsored content, however the opinion given here are entirely our own from our experience at PLUSTA in Japan.
For those who would like to know more about travel related posts in Japan, we’ve got you covered in our Travel section.
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