If you are wondering where you can find the best Japanese shops and supermarkets in London then look no further – we’ve been researching all the best spots in the capital!
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London has a large Japanese population so it’s no surprise you’ll find some great places to purchase Japanese ingredients, cookware, stationary, magazines and clothing at affordable prices.
You won’t have to search hard to find Japanese shops in the centre of London, but there are a few gems we have found in other London neighbourhoods too.
Here is our ultimate guide to all the best places to buy Japanese products in London:
This article was originally published on 24 May 2022.
Best Japanese shops in London
1. Japan Centre, Picadilly
Located just a stone’s throw away from Leicester Square is the daddy of all Japanese shops in London, selling a huge range of high quality imported Japanese groceries, hot food, sushi, Japanese Kit Kats, gifts, cookware, beauty products, books, magazines and more.
Japan Centre opened in 1976 and this branch is their flagship store – they have two other stores that have opened in the past few years, one located in Shepherd’s Bush and one in Stratford.
The lower ground floor combines traditional elements of a ‘depachika’ (the Japanese word for a basement food hall) and has a hot food counter plus loads of chillers filled with sushi boxes where you can purchase a meal deal (main, snack and drink).
There is also a fish counter selling sushi-grade fish, a Japanese bakery, a donut and mochi bar and the largest selection of sake in Europe!
Having recently had a renovation, Japan Centre now has demo kitchens and several specialist rooms where you can watch live workshops and learn more about Japanese tea, sake and miso.
If you want to know about Japan Centre’s future events you need to sign up to their email newsletter.
Address: 35b Panton Street, London SW1Y 4EA
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2. Japan House London, Kensington
Japan House on High Street Kensington is not just a shop, but is also a concept store! Known as the cultural home of Japan in London, this store presents the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology.
Arranged over three floors, you’ll find a library and free exhibitions in the basement, a cafe, tourist information and Japanese gift shop on the ground floor, and a bar and a Michelin-listed restaurant on the top floor.
Japan House also hold regular demonstrations, talks, workshops and screenings – check out their website for their upcoming events schedule.
In the shop you can purchase Japanese snacks, stationery, books, manga, origami, ceramics, art, jewellery, kitchen knives, utensils, clothing and more!
Address: 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
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3. Japan Centre Ichiba, Westfield Shepherd’s Bush
Billed as Europe’s biggest Japanese food hall, Ichiba is a huge shop in west London selling over 3,000 Japanese products and is run by the people behind the Japan Centre.
It is located on the lower ground floor at the back of Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, just a short walk from White City tube station.
Inside you’ll find an extensive selection of Japanese cooking ingredients, fresh fish and meat, sake, gifts and homeware, plus a canteen style dining area with capacity for 200 diners.
Hot food stations serve up Japanese delights such as ramen, bao buns, noodles, donburi, poke and sushi.
On top of that there is a kaku-uchi sake bar serving hot sake by an in-store sommelier, and a Japanese bakery selling items such as dorayaki pancakes, melon pans and matcha lattes.
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Address: Level -2 Westfield London White City W12 7HB
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4. Japan Centre, Westfield Stratford
Tucked away in the world food section at the back of Stratford Westfield is this small store which is also run by the Japan Centre.
Despite its tiny size, it is packed with a wide selection of imported Japanese groceries and even has a fresh sushi/hot food counter.
On the shelves you can expect to find a good selection of basic Japanese cooking ingredients, plus many snacks, instant noodles, miso soup, drinks, sauces and a fridge full of Japanese sake.
At the food counter, the takeaway sushi boxes are freshly prepared by the chefs throughout the day, and there is a large menu of Japanese hot food favourites at very affordable prices which are popular with local office workers.
Order tonkotsu ramen, udon, soba, katsu curry, donburi bowls and tempura to either take-away or eat-in on one of the few dining tables located at the front of the store.
If you are a student or NHS worker you get an additional 10% discount.
Address: Lower Ground, 1 Montfichet Road, London E20 1GL
5. Artbox, Covent Garden
A haven for Kawaii fans, Artbox in Covent Garden is one of the best Japanese shops in London to buy cute and colourful character merchandise such as Hello Kitty, Pusheen and Sanrio, plus K-Pop branded items.
Despite it being a rather compact shop it is packed from floor to ceiling with plush toys, stationary, mugs, keyrings, purses and much more – it will be hard to leave Artbox without purchasing something cute!
Note – the shop is a little on the pricey side as all the stock is authentic merchandise imported from Japan.
Address: 44-46 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HZ
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6. Japan Craft Anime and Manga Store, Stables Market Camden (2 stores)
Located within the alleys of Camden Market, this cosy store is one of the best Japanese anime shops in London with two separate stores.
The shelves inside this Aladdin’s cave are rammed from the floor to ceiling with manga figures, anime cards, comics, t-shirts and plushies.
They also sell Japanese sweets such as crunchy pocky sticks and matcha-flavoured snacks, plus there is a small section for Harry Potter merchandising!
Prices are on the slightly higher side here but that is because most of the stock is imported from Japan.
Address: Unit 2 and Unit 835, Market Hall Lock Place, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AL
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7. Bandai Namco Cross Store
Newly opened in 2023, London’s newest (and biggest) gachapon store recently opened in Camden Market and other London locations.
Gachapon are the cute capsule toys dispensed by vending machines. Popular in Japan, they’ve now arrived in the UK capital with popular gachapon Japanese shops in London locations like Camden, Soho, Victoria station and Ealing.
Gachapon / Gashopon toys originated in Japan in the 1960s, originally conceived by famous Japanese toy and video game manufacturer Bandai.
Located in the iconic Camden Stables, London’s flagship Bandai Namco Cross store is one of the biggest Japanese shops in London and has two floors of gachapon machines, anime and manga merchandise plus Japanese games galore.
On the upstairs level, you also find a cafe with Japanese tea and soft drinks and a huge trading card game store and lounge, selling Pokémon, Mofusand, One Piece and other merch.
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8. HIS Japan Premium Food and Travel, Holborn
H.I.S. is the largest travel agency in Japan and they have expanded their empire to Europe with a chain of travel/sake/grocery stores.
The London branch located on Shaftesbury Avenue is relatively new having opened during the pandemic in 2021.
The shop directly imports and sells quality local specialties from all over Japan and is set out over three floors.
The ground floor is mostly packed with Japanese ingredients and snacks, whilst the top floor sells a range of Japanese teas, gifts, stationary and kitchenware.
The most exciting floor however is the basement which is dedicated entirely to sake and the shop organises regular sake tasting sessions there (check their Facebook page for more details).
Staff at HIS are super lovely and helpful, and as well as selling Japanese products, you can also book your Japan flights, hotels and JR Rail Passes here.
Address: 212 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EB
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9. Atariya Foods, West Acton
Atariya is one of the most popular Japanese food shops in London and sells some of the best sushi to eat-in or take-away at reasonable prices.
Half of the store is taken up by a fish counter where you can purchase top quality sushi grade fish cut to order, as well as squid, urchins, roe and chirimen jako (dried baby sardines). They also sell some cooked products like yakitori and croquettes.
The rest of the shop stocks Japanese snacks, vegetables, drinks, seasonings, noodles, miso paste, wagyu beef, sake and plum wine and much more.
Atariya also has four other branches located in Finchley, Golders Green, Kingston and Swiss Cottage.
Address: 7 Station Parade, West Acton, London W3 0DS
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10. Rice Wine Shop, Soho
The name here is slightly misleading as this isn’t just a store that sells rice wine, but instead is a hidden gem of a London supermarket offering basic Japanese essentials at much cheaper prices than places like the Japan Centre.
Rice Wine Shop is located in a very compact shop in the heart of Soho and is packed with cooking ingredients, frozen products, lunchtime snacks and Japanese liquor.
You can expect to find a great range of staples such as sushi rice, curry roux blocks, takoyaki and okonomiyaki mixes, tonkatsu sauces, miso, dashi, soba and ramen noodles and much more.
Address: 82 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UA
11. Japanese Knife Company
Oooh, now this Japanese shop in London looks ‘sharp’ with branches in Chiswick, Wimbledon Village, Kensington, Soho and Baker Street.
Established in 1998 and at the ‘cutting edge’ of knife knowledge, the Japanese Knife Company sells, sharpens and repairs offering some premium products as Laguiole traditional steak knives and soft touch magnetic knife blocks.
From kitchenware to cooking tools, tableware to barware, the Japanese Knife Company is a one stop Japanese shop in London for cool culinary gadgets and chic coffee pots.
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12. Fukusa, Spitalfields Market (Saturday only)
Head on down to the amazing Spitalfields Market in east London on a Saturday and you’ll find Fukusa, a gorgeous stall draped in stunning traditional Japanese fabrics.
Furoshiki is the traditional art of fabric wrapping which has been used in Japan for over 1,200 years, and Fukusa sell square shaped pieces of fabric which can be transformed in a variety of ways.
You can fold them into scarves, bags, throws, gift wrap, cushion cover, head wrap and much more!
To find out more about the art of furoshiki you can follow Fukusa on Instagram or visit their website.
Spitalfields Market Address: 56 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA
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13. Kanpai London Sake Brewery and Taproom
Please note Kanpai have recently relocated from Peckham to nearby Druid Street in London Bridge (along the Bermondsey Beer Mile).
Meaning ‘cheers’ in Japanese, KANPAI is the UK’s first sake brewery! It was founded in 2016 by husband and wife, Tom and Lucy Wilson, and all their sake is made from start to finish on site in Peckham using traditional Japanese techniques.
KANPAI are open Wednesday through to Sunday and you can pop by the brewery to have a browse in their bottle shop to purchase sake to take away (they also offer a ‘click and collect’ service on their website).
As well as having a shop you can also have a drink in their taproom bar which sits on the mezzanine right above the brewery, or in the summer on one of their outdoor tables.
Just opposite the brewery you’ll find a street food kitchen serving street food from Osaka such as takoyaki, gyoza and okonomiyaki to accompany your drink.
Keep an eye on their social channels as they hold regular events, tastings and supper clubs throughout the year.
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14. Camden Anime
Camden calling – it really is one of the best places in London for Japanese shops and anime stores. Not only does it have London’s first official gachapon store (Bandai Namco Cross Store) and the Japan Craft Anime and Manga Store, Camden Anime has now also joined the ranks.
Located in the new Camden Water Lane development behind Hawley Wharf, Camden Anime is a compact and cute cartoon store selling anime figures, Manga merchandise and cute kawaii characters.
From Dragon Ball to Yusuke, Spy X Family to SEGA, Camden Anime has cabinets full of characters, dolls and fine figurines so hopefully you’ll find that ‘One Piece’ of anime awesomeness you adore.
The store is open from 11am to 6pm on weekdays, 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and 10.30am to 7pm on Sundays.
Address: Arch 9 Water Lane, London NW1 8JZ
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15. Shōtengai Japanese Market, King’s Cross
This monthly weekend market takes inspiration from Japan’s many Shōtengai (local market streets) and is located in Coal Drops Yard, just a few minutes walk away from King’s Cross station.
You’ll find around 10 stalls selling a range of Japanese items. Sample Osakan street food delights such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki, plus shop for Japanese homewares and art prints.
To see the opening dates and hours please check their official website >
Address: Lower Stable Street, Kings Cross, London N1C 4LW
16. Uniqlo
This popular chain store is famous for its everyday casual clothing, with Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity and a focus on well-designed clothes.
The company has been creating affordable basics made from neutral tones for women, men and children since it was founded in 1984 in Hiroshima, and to date Uniqlo has 11 stores across London and 800 worldwide. London stores include Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Battersea and Kensington High Street.
Uniqlo are also famous for their collaborations with brands and artists and in the past they have sold t-shirts in association with Studio Ghibli, Pharrell Williams, MoMA, Disney, Marvel, Sesame Street, Moomins, Doraemon and McDonald’s!
We’ve been to many Uniqlos including the world’s largest Uniqlo in Tokyo with 12 storeys, but the Uniqlo store in Covent Garden is one of the best with a Japanese tea-room, outdoor terrace and an area to create your own personalized t-shirts.
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17. MUJI, Tottenham Court Road
2024 Update: It was announced in March 2024 that Muji Europe (incorporating the Muji stores in London) had gone into administration so the London stores may close soon – but hopefully not
This famous Japanese chain store has a brilliant branch located on Tottenham Court Road with two clean and well organised shop floors packed with a wide range of products.
MUJI’s first store opened in 1983 in Tokyo and now operates in 29 countries around the world. The name MUJI translates as ‘no-brand quality goods’ in Japanese and their design philosophy is minimalist with an emphasis on useful products, simple packaging, reliable quality and good value for money.
Inside the Tottenham Court Road branch you can shop for office bits, stationery, storage, clothing, bedding, kitchenware, travel accessories, cosmetics, diffusers plus many other things you never knew you needed! I recommend their trainer socks – the best I’ve ever found!
There are 5 other branches of Muji in London located in Oxford Street, Kensington, Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and Islington.
Address: 6-17 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 1BF
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18. New Loon Moon Supermarket, Chinatown
Located on the main street in London’s Chinatown, New Loon Moon has a great Japanese section on the first floor. Here you can shop for many basic ingredients, plus a good range of Japanese snacks and noodles.
Address: 42-44 Gerrard Street, London W1D 5PT
19. Loon Fung Supermarket, Chinatown
Loon Fung mostly specialises in Chinese products but you can also pick up a range of basic Japanese groceries too such as sauces, curry roux blocks, miso, tofu and gyoza skins.
There are 4 other branches located in Tottenham, Stratford, Alperton and Colindale.
Address: 9a Gerrard Street, London W1D 5PN
20. Oseyo, Soho
This new shiny Soho store predominantly sells Korean foods, toys, stationery, houseware and electronics, but there is a decent sized section dedicated to Japanese snacks and groceries including sauces, miso soup and more!
The biggest branch is located on Charing Cross road, but there are other smaller branches in Waterloo, Battersea, Camden, Angel, Tottenham Court Road, Battersea and Hammersmith.
Address: 73-75 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0NE
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