December and January are extremely busy months for most Japanese shops, as their winter sales attract lots of people looking to spend their year-end bonuses. The first three days after New Year are especially crazy, with huge crowds trying to make the most of the New Year sales and buying fukubukuro (lucky bags with random items from last year’s inventory).
How Tokyo winter sales work
New Year shopping in Japan is serious business, almost like Black Friday in the US. And you thought that the Japanese New Year was simply marked by such traditions as watching the first sunrise, or visiting temples and shrines!
Here’s a list of some department stores and malls holding Tokyo winter sales. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all the department stores around Tokyo, and that some of these establishments may have multiple sales—a Christmas sale and then a New Year’s sale, or a part one, then a part two.
Also, many retailers do not post sale information on their websites, as they tend to make it “exclusive” to subscribers of their newsletters (merumaga, a contraction of “mail magazine”). Any information without an accompanying link was taken from an actual visit, or compilations on Japanese websites (like Fashion-Collect.jp). So bear in mind that the information here may be subject to change. The best way to confirm if a department store has an ongoing sale is to go and check it out.
Fukubukuro (lucky bags)
Fukubukuro (lucky bags) sales are only good until supplies last, so we’ve only mentioned start dates. It’s advisable to arrive early or, if possible, to pre-order to get a fukubukuro. They’re usually sold out by lunch time! But even if your attempt to brave the New Year crowd to buy a fukubukuro ends up unsuccessful, you won’t necessarily leave empty-handed, as shops often have accompanying New Year bargains, so as not to disappoint those who made the effort to visit (and also to clear out stock).
Specialty shops
Lastly, you may be wondering why the list focuses on department stores. But what about the electronics shops, sporting goods shops, and everything else, you ask? Online information on sales for other types of stores is even more difficult to find! Electronics shops like Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera, as well as variety goods shops like Loft and Tokyu Hands, have sales too; just pay them a visit. You’ll see from the way the staff have their hands full that they offer good bargains as well.
Happy shopping, cheapos!
Ginza and Tokyo Station vicinity
Mitsukoshi Ginza and Nihonbashi – Winter clearance sale from January 2 onward. Lucky bags sold on January 2, 2022 (they can also be ordered online).
Marronnier Gate (formerly Printemps Ginza) – Winter sale from January 2 to 23, 2022.
Matsuya Ginza – Fukubukuro from December 26, 2021 to January 3, 2022. Clearance sales continue into January.
Daimaru Tokyo – Different winter clearance sale start dates depending on departments/brands. For exmaple, some accessories and shoes are on sale starting December 26, 2021, while women’s clothing is on sale starting on January 2, 2022. Daimaru does not advertize the finishing date.
Hibiya Chanter – Winter sale from January 2 to January 10, 2022.
Tokyu Plaza Ginza – Winter sale from January 2 to January 31, 2022.
Shinjuku
Lumine – Lumine NEWoMan the Bargain winter sale from January 2 to 10, 2022.
Keio Shinjuku – Sales depend on the store. Some started on December 26, 2021, many others start on January 2, 2022.
Takashimaya – Fukubukuro and winter clearance sale from January 2 to 11, 2022.
Isetan Shinjuku – Winter clearance and fukubukuro sale from January 2, 2022 onward.
Marui Shinjuku – Winter sale from January 2, 2022.
Odakyu Shinjuku – Sale start date depends on store. Some sales are on now, others start on January 2, 2022.
Ikebukuro
Seibu – Fukubukuro and winter sale from January 1 to 10, 2022.
Tobu – Winter sale from January 2, 2022.
Sunshine City – Fukubukuro and winter sale from Jan 1 to 30, 2022.
Parco and P’Parco (Parco’s annex) – Winter sale from January 2, 2022 (at 10 am) to January 16, 2022.
Lumine – Lumine the Bargain winter sale from January 2 to 10, 2022.
Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando
Hikarie ShinQs – “Play Bargain” winter sale from January 2 to January 31, 2022.
Shibuya 109 – Winter sale from January 2 to 16, 2022.
Laforet Harajuku – Fukubukuro sale from January 1 to 7, 2022.
Tokyu Department Store – Winter sale from January 2 to 31, 2022.
Roppongi and Akasaka
Roppongi Hills – Fukubukuro and winter sale from January 1 to 16, 2022.
Tokyo Midtown – Winter sale from January 2 to 16, 2022.
Odaiba
Venus Fort, Aqua City Daiba, Diver City Plaza, and Decks Tokyo Beach are all having a huge winter sale, collectively known as OdaiBargain, from December 26, 2021 to Janauary 10, 2022
Ueno and Asakusa
Marui Ueno – Varies depending on the brand, but mostly from December 27, 2021 to January 31, 2022.
Matsuzakaya Ueno – Winter sale from January 2 to 11, 2022.
Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi – Part 1 winter sale starts on December 26, 2021. Part 2 starts on January 2, 2022. Sales end on January 31, 2022.
Other areas of Tokyo
LaLaport Toyosu – “Manner Bargain” winter sale from December 26, 2021 to January 10, 2022.
Parco Kichijoji – Sales depend on the store. Most winter and fukubukuro sales start on January 2, 2022.
Mitsui Outlet Park Tama Minami-Osawa – Located in Hachioji, this outlet mall is having a fukubukuro and winter sale from December 27, 2021. Some lucky bags are already sold out. The larger “Super Outlet Sale” continues until the 10th.
Granduo Tachikawa – Fukubukuro and winter sale from January 2 to 10, 2022.
Last updated on January 4, 2022.
