Tokyo Station Character Street: Access Guide, Hours & Tax-Free Complete Guide (Chiikawa/Pokemon/Dragon Ball)

We’ve compiled everything from how to get to Tokyo Station Character Street to business hours and tax-free tips in one place. Detailed route from Yaesu Underground Central Exit, Chiikawa Land December reservation (numbered ticket) urgent notice, newly opened Dragon Ball Store, and changed Pokemon Store location—all perfectly explained.

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A shopping paradise you can’t miss on your Tokyo trip, Tokyo Station Character Street! But Tokyo Station is so complex that taking just one wrong exit can have you wandering for 30 minutes.

Today, we’ll share directions from Yaesu Underground Central Exit that even the directionally challenged can follow in one go, the recently world’s first Dragon Ball Store, and the 1st floor tax-free counter location—all organized with the latest December 2025 information. 😉

1. Tokyo Station Character Street Basic Information

• Location: JR Tokyo Station B1 Floor (inside Tokyo Station Ichibangai)

📍View on Google Maps

• Nearest Exit: Yaesu Underground Central Exit
• Business Hours: 10:00 ~ 20:30 (Open year-round / May close early at 18:00 on January 1st, etc.)
• Tax-Free: Not available at individual stores ❌ → Use 1st floor integrated tax-free counter ⭕

👉 2026 Tokyo Station Character Street Year-End Business Hours Information

2. Never Get Lost: How to Get There (Yaesu Underground Central)

When you arrive at Tokyo Station, there are dozens of exits and it’s confusing, right? Just remember one thing.

“Yaesu Underground Central Exit”

1. After getting off the train, follow the yellow signs toward 'Yaesu'.
2. Find and exit through the Yaesu Underground Central ticket gate.
3. Right after exiting the ticket gate, you'll see the colorful 'Tokyo Character Street' sign straight ahead. (10-second walk!)

💡 Tokyo Mate Tip

If you’re on the 1st floor (ground level), use the Yaesu Passage or find Daimaru Department Store. Use the stairs going down to the basement right next to the department store to connect directly to Character Street.

👀 Wait! Need a sugar boost before shopping?

Right across from the Character Street entrance (facing the ticket gate) is ‘Okashi Land’ selling freshly fried Jagariko and warm Tokyo Banana curry bread. How about starting with a snack for shopping stamina?

👉 Tokyo Station Okashi Land Access Guide | Freshly Fried Jagariko & Calbee Menu Recommendations

3.🚨[Must-Read] 1st Floor vs B1 Floor Store Location Guide

If you don’t know this, you’ll tire out your legs wandering the basement! Most stores are on B1, but the recently renovated ‘Big 3’ stores are on the ground 1st floor.

🏢 1st Floor Stores - Yaesu North Exit Direction

To visit these 3 stores, take the stairs from the basement to 1st floor!

1. Pokemon Store: Selling 'Stationmaster Pikachu' limited edition ⚡
2. Dragon Ball Store: World's first permanent store! Opening run popularity explosion 🔥
3. Sanrio: Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll and other popular goods all together 🎀

B1 Floor Stores

• Chiikawa Land (Most popular!)
• Kirby Cafe PETIT (Takeout sweets specialty / Advance reservation required)
• Ghibli (Donguri Kyowakoku), Crayon Shin-chan, Jump Shop, Rilakkuma, Gashapon Shop and all other stores

4. Chiikawa Land Reservation & Entry Numbered Tickets (B1 Floor)

The place with the longest lines at Tokyo Station right now! Chiikawa Land Tokyo Station. Be sure to check the notice below before visiting!

🚨 Must-Read for December 19 (Fri) Visitors! (Entry Restrictions)

According to the official X (Twitter), to ease congestion, entry on December 19 (Fri) will operate on a lottery/first-come-first-served reservation system.

• Target Date: December 19, 2025 (Fri)
• Method: Pre-application through LINE app (lottery/first-come-first-served)

➡️ Apply for Chiikawa Land Entry

• Entry Method: New/resale product area time-slot rotation system (partial restriction)

(Note: Tokyo Skytree Solamachi store has full store entry restrictions)

• Official X: @chiikawa_land

🎁 Reasons to Visit in December (Special Benefits & Collaborations)

1. Chiikawa x Sanrio Characters Collaboration: Epic goods with Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll costumes released! (Beware of early sellouts)
2. 2025 Christmas Card Giveaway: First-come-first-served for purchasing customers (12/1~ until supplies last)
3. Opening Commemorative Stamp: Tokyo Station limited stamp available in store!

5. Kirby Cafe PETIT (B1 Floor)

A takeout specialty shop selling tarts and cakes featuring the ‘Kirby’ universe.

🚨 [Important] Advance Reservations Ended! Now ‘First-Come-First-Served’!

The ‘LivePocket’ advance reservation system ended in September 2023. Now you can enter and purchase in order of arrival without reservations.

🍰 Entry Method:

• Cake Purchase Hopefuls: Line up in the 'Cake Menu' queue to order in turn.
• Goods Only Purchase Hopefuls: Line up in the 'Goods Entry' queue.

🍭 Purchase Limits (Must-Read): Cakes are limited to 2 per type per person, maximum 8 total.

🍭 Storage Tips: They include ice packs, but you must refrigerate within 2 hours max. If you’re traveling, stop by right before returning to your accommodation!

6.⚡Tokyo Station Pokemon Store (1st Floor)

“There’s no Pokemon on B1!” Don’t panic. Tokyo Station Pokemon Store has moved to the ‘1st floor’.

• Location: From Character Street (B1), take stairs up to 1st floor (toward Yaesu North Exit).
• Features: This is a small 'Store' not a large 'Center'. Though smaller in size, it has all the core items including 'Stationmaster Pikachu', making shopping more convenient.

🔍 Want to see Pokemon card stock and real Stationmaster Pikachu?

👉 Tokyo Station Pokemon Store Location, Stationmaster Pikachu & Pokemon Card Purchase Review

7. 🐉 [NEW] Dragon Ball Store Tokyo (1st Floor)

The holy land that Dragon Ball fans worldwide have been waiting for! On November 14, 2025, the world’s first official permanent store DRAGON BALL STORE TOKYO opened on Tokyo Station 1st floor.

• Location: 1st floor Yaesu North Exit direction (near Pokemon Store)
• Store Highlights: Store interior recreating the Dragon Ball universe with giant figure photo zones, and 'Tokyo Store' exclusive goods galore.

🎉 [December Latest] Yamcha Wallpaper Giveaway Campaign

• Period: 12/16(Tue) ~ 12/22(Mon)
• How to Get: Follow official X(@DB_STORE_info) & like/repost the post, then show at checkout → Download via QR code!
• X Account: @DB_STORE_info

8. 🎀 [NEW] Sanrio Tokyo Character Street Store (1st Floor)

Attention Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi fans! The Sanrio store expanded and relocated to Tokyo Station 1st floor on November 14, 2025 with a grand opening.

• Key Point: 'SANRIO JAPAN' lineup! You can find high-quality limited goods featuring Japanese culture such as sukajan jackets, gamaguchi coin purses, and mamezara (small plates).
• Operations: 'Entry numbered tickets' may be distributed during busy times, so please note.

9. 🧸 Ghibli, Crayon Shin-chan, Gashapon & Other Major Stores

Besides Chiikawa and Pokemon, there are Ghibli, Crayon Shin-chan, Jump Shop, and Gashapon stores gathered here, so you can enjoy character shopping to your taste.

Kamen Rider Store, Ultraman, PreCure, Snoopy, Sumikko Gurashi, mofusand, hololive (may be limited time), Tomica/Plarail, TV station (TV Asahi/TV Tokyo/Fuji/NTV/TBS) affiliated, LEGO, etc.

10. Tokyo Station Character Street Tax-Free Guide (1st Floor)

This is the most important information! Tax-free is not available at individual stores. After shopping, you must go to the ‘1st floor integrated tax-free counter’.

📍 Tax-Free Counter Location

• Location: JR Tokyo Station 1st floor (not basement), next to Sagawa delivery service counter
• Sign: Red TAX FREE sign
• Business Hours: 10:00 ~ 21:00 (Recommend arriving 30 minutes before closing)

Tax-Free Conditions & Precautions

• Can Combine: Possible if total purchases from multiple stores exceed 5,000 yen excluding tax (5,500 yen including tax) (same day only)
• Required Items: Passport (physical), receipts, products, credit card

※ Passport, receipt, and credit card names must match.

• Fee: Refund after deducting approximately 2.1% tax-free fee (actual refund rate around 8% / cash refund not available, refunded to card)

📍 Tax-Free Eligible Stores (Pokemon Store processes tax-free refunds independently at the store)

🎁 Looking for ’edible gifts’ instead of character goods?

Near the tax-free counter, you can buy the currently sold-out ‘Tokyo Banana Crème Brûlée (Tokyo Station exclusive)’. (Not available at airports!)

👉 Tokyo Banana Crème Brûlée: Where to Buy & Price/Storage Guide Complete Summary

Tokyo Station Character Street is a magical place where 1-2 hours ‘disappear’ just browsing. After shopping and getting bags full in both hands, store them in coin lockers and how about a hot bowl of ramen at the nearby Tokyo Ramen Street? 🍜 If you want light freshly fried fries or dessert, we recommend Okashi Land across the way!

If you have any questions about visiting Tokyo Station Character Street or shopping for Chiikawa/Pokemon, please leave a comment and we’ll organize and answer them.

🧡 Related Tokyo Station Travel Guides

➡️ Tokyo Station Ramen Street 2025 Renewal & Misokin Reservation Tips

➡️ Right Next to Character Street! Tokyo Station Ramen Street Restaurant Complete Guide

➡️ Tokyo Station Okashi Land Access Guide | Freshly Fried Jagariko & Calbee Menu Recommendations

➡️ Tokyo Station: Character Street, Restaurants, Night Views, Luggage Storage & Coin Lockers