Stepping into Tiffany's, Bergdorf's and Takashimaya is just the beginning...

BBC: Last minute holiday shopping in the Big Apple

The country's big cities are rife with small boutiques--many Zozotown suppliers have storefronts--but they are unlikely to mount a challenge to the department store giants like Matsuzakaya, Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya.

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People will queue for hours to eat at Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi in the famous Tsujiki Market or flock to the Takashimaya depachika (food hall) for the latest French pastry.

BBC: Living in: Cities with great food

Among its highlights are Tokyu Hands (Takashimaya Times Square, 5-24-2 Sendagaya), a department store that sells everything you could ever need, and plenty of stuff you had no idea even existed (electrically heated pilllows anyone?).

CNN: Tokyo: Where to shop