Shop Smarter Across Japan
Shopping Help in Japan
From clothing sizes and tax-free shopping to vintage stores and electronics, a multilingual helper makes shopping in Japan easy and stress-free.
What this service is
Japan Hand provides shopping assistance throughout Japan, helping visitors buy clothing, shoes, electronics, cameras, vintage items, homeware, crafts, souvenirs, and specialist products with confidence. Your helper takes you to the right stores, communicates with staff in Japanese, manages tax-free shopping, and arranges shipping for anything too large or heavy to carry home.
Shopping in Japan can be surprisingly difficult for international visitors. Clothing sizes don’t match Western sizing, shoe sizes are measured in centimetres, and many stores keep additional stock in back rooms that can only be requested in Japanese. Electronics may be Japanese domestic models with different menus, voltages, or warranties, while secondhand and vintage shops often use grading systems that aren’t explained in English.
Tax-free shopping also has rules. It requires your passport, minimum spending thresholds, and specific counters that aren’t always easy to find. Some purchases must remain unopened until you leave Japan, and many visitors either miss the tax-free process entirely or complete it incorrectly.
Your helper first understands exactly what you’re looking for, researches the best places to find it, accompanies you while shopping, checks products before you buy, handles communication with staff, completes the tax-free process, and arranges international shipping if required. Whether you’re shopping in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, or regional Japan, multilingual helpers are available to make the experience easier.
Who This Service Is For, and What We Do
The Problems We Solve
- Sizing standards are different – Japanese clothing and shoe sizes differ significantly from Western sizing, with shoes measured in centimeters and width often listed separately.
- Many products are kept off the shelf – Popular items are often stored in stockrooms, requiring customers to ask staff in Japanese for assistance.
- Electronics can be confusing to choose – Domestic and international versions may have different menus, voltage requirements, and warranties that are not immediately obvious.
- Secondhand grading varies by store – Used items are graded differently between retailers, and the condition ratings are rarely explained in English.
- Tax-free shopping has specific requirements – Visitors need their passport, must meet minimum spending thresholds, and may not be allowed to open certain tax-free purchases before leaving Japan.
What Your Helper Does
Your helper recommends the best shops, translates product information, requests items from stockrooms, checks electronics before purchase, explains sizing, manages tax-free paperwork, arranges shipping, and helps you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Reassurance
We don’t simply translate—we help you buy the right product. If something isn’t suitable, we’ll explain why before you spend your money.
Duration
Usually half-day or full-day shopping assistance, depending on your shopping list and the locations you wish to visit.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the length of your shopping trip, the number of stores you wish to visit, whether specialist research is required, the amount of assistance needed, and your preferred language.
FAQs
Do you know where to find specific items?
Often yes. Tell us what you are hunting and we will tell you honestly whether it is findable.
Can you help with clothing and shoe sizes?
Yes, including asking for sizes that are not on the shelf.
How does tax-free work?
Passport, a specific counter, a minimum spend, and rules about opening items. Your helper handles all of it.
Can you help buy electronics?
Yes, including checking for domestic-only models and voltage issues before you pay.
Can you ship things home for me?
Yes, including the customs paperwork.
Do you get commission from shops?
No. Your helper works for you.
Do you cover cities outside Tokyo?
Yes. Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Nagoya and regional cities.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the length of the booking. Tell us what you are looking for and we will give you a price.