Marugoto Nippon is a shopping center in Asakusa which showcases regional souvenirs, handcrafted products, and specialty foods from all over Japan. The center is just four stories high with different facilities on each level and restaurants on the 4th floor. “Marugoto Nippon” literally means “the whole of Japan” and this is certainly a good place to find cultural mementoes of your trip, and may also provide ideas for future travel destinations.
Shopping for souvenirs in Marugoto Nippon in Asakusa
Contents
First Floor – Nippon Food Market
On the first floor there is a large supermarket and a drugstore selling a range of quality groceries from across Japan. Alongside these bigger businesses are around 20 smaller stalls selling a variety of celebrated regional food and drink products and fresh farm produce. The products on offer here are often changed, but you will find a range of teas, coffees, freshly baked goods, mouth-watering confectionery, and savory snacks. Many stalls have free samples, so you can try for yourself before you make a purchase.
First floor food stalls at Marugoto Nippon
Second Floor – Nippon Lifestyle Market
Craft goods on the 3rd floor
On the second floor is a wide variety of houseware and lifestyle accessories representative of Japan’s craft heritage. Here you will find ceramic tableware, lacquerware, leather goods, traditional cosmetics, herbal medicines, bamboo furniture, hand-crafted cooking utensils, unique hand-made hats, and more! There is also a photo studio where customers can dress up in traditional kimono, or as historical samurai and ninja, before having their picture taken.
Yume-sharaku photo studio
Third Floor – Nippon Experience
The tax-refund counter
On the third floor is an event space, a cooking studio showcasing regional recipes and ingredients, and a tax-refund counter for overseas visitors. At the tax-refund counter customers can claim back tax paid on purchases in Marugoto Nippon, and can also arrange to have their purchases sent to hotels or airports.
Café M/N on the third floor
This floor also has a café with an outside terrace which is particularly recommended for its desserts.
The third floor terrace
Fourth Floor – Nippon Dining
A restaurant and wine bar serving wines from Ehime
On the fourth floor are seven specialty restaurants representing different regional cuisines. Here you can sit down to Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki pancakes, Kyoto-style motsu-nabe hotpots, Okinawan pork, sashimi rice bowls from Fukui, and an Italian restaurant serving dishes made with the finest Japanese ingredients.
A Kyoto-style hotpot restaurant
Access
Marugoto Nippon is a 3 minute walk from TX Asakusa on the Tsukuba Express Line, and 9 minutes from the Tobu, Tokyo Metro, and Toei Asakusa stations. Here is a map of its location. Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International occupies the upper floors in the same building.
The entrance to Marugoto Nippon
Opening Hours
1F & 2F: 10.00 – 20.00
3F: 10.00 – 21.00
4F: 11.00 – 23.00 (Last Orders: 22.00)
The opening hours of individual stores may differ. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the building.
A view of the Asakusa skyline and Tokyo Skytree from the 4th floor of Marugoto Nippon
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
