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Tokyo Outlet Mall

By Shibuya246 · · 1 min read · 8 photos · 20 comments

I took this in the Yamanote line train advertising the Venus Fort outlet malls.
I took this in the Yamanote line train advertising the Venus Fort outlet malls.

Venus Fort, located at Odaiba, Tokyo, has just opened what is said to be the first outlet mall in Tokyo. A lot of people may know about the outlet malls at Gotenba and other places. I have been to a few, but always wondered why you had to travel so far to get to them. While now there in close distance, accessible by train.

The new look Venus Fort website showing outlet stores.
The new look Venus Fort website showing outlet stores.

For the train to Odaiba you can have a read of this.

Shibuya shops
Today in Shibuya it was a busy day with many shoppers around. I keep hearing about the economic downturn and how people aren't buying products anymore, but going in a few stores and seeing the long queues at cash registers, it appears that not all retail outlets are suffering equally. Admittedly, Shibuya is not representative of the whole of Japan and this is just one economic microcosm. It is nice to see people out though helping to circulate cash in the system.

I just took a few photos today. With so many people out it was difficult to actually see much.

Amuro Namie takes out the no.1 advertising position in Shibuya for her new album
Amuro Namie takes out the no.1 advertising position in Shibuya for her new album
X Madonna lighting up the Shibuya 109 tower
X Madonna lighting up the Shibuya 109 tower
The weather was good after the rain yesterday. Perfect for shoppers to hit the streets.
The weather was good after the rain yesterday. Perfect for shoppers to hit the streets.
NTT DoCoMo working its ads on Shibuya Station building. Who is your favorite from this set of 4?
NTT DoCoMo working its ads on Shibuya Station building. Who is your favorite from this set of 4?
So many people out today, it was difficult to walk across the crossing.
So many people out today, it was difficult to walk across the crossing.
Despite so many vehicles on the road, the intersections never seem to get blocked too badly with traffic when the lights change.
Despite so many vehicles on the road, the intersections never seem to get blocked too badly with traffic when the lights change.

Do you prefer to shop in the city or visit an outlet mall? What are your favorite brands to find at the outlet mall?

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20 comments

Comments are closed. These are from readers when the post was first published.

  1. Gakuranman

    How come you're blurring out the faces of the people in your photos..? Did something happen?

  2. lithiumangel

    oh wow, I didn't know Amuro Namie was still "popular enough" in Japan to warrent a new album release. With all the J-rock bands making a big march for supremacy lately like Girugamesh and what not. Regarding the NTT Docomo posters; offcourse the obvious awnser is the "style" model being the only female one out of the pack :-P Curious to know, did you blur out the faces in the front of the people yourself or just happen to be the lens depth of field effect ?

  3. Tristan

    I just love that Starbucks photo

  4. shibuya246

    I bought a new lens 85mm f1.4 and it really is sharp. These blurs were accidental not on purpose. No post editing. I need to think about how to take photos of crowds a bit more if this lens is on. Just trying to get a feel for light, depth etc with the new lens. I think for most crowd shots I should set the stop back up over f/2.0

  5. shibuya246

    Horikita Maki, nice!! :) blur was accidental

  6. lithiumangel

    85mm F/1.4 is a very nice lens, very good for taking portraits of people. Seems like you have developed a liking to fast lenses :-] I saw a 85 F/1.4 in Akiba's Softmap a few weeks ago for a really good price, very tempting. But I didn't end up buying it, will get a 24-70 F/2.8 in a month instead which is highly versetile and is as sharp as a prime lens is, except this can zoom making it the ideal choice for both street photography (wide end) as well as portraits (the 70 end) which is ideal for the thing I photograph the most; parties and events. (wide angle for people standing next to eachother and zoomed in for the portraits)

  7. Protocol Snow

    I expect a full report from the Outlet Mall!

  8. nadia8686

    i would like to be your freind

  9. katiemuffett

    What's the Japanese version of the term 'bustling', as in crowds? :) The holidays are the only time when I actually like crowds. And I'm gonna have to go with Kenichi Matsuyama as my favourite in the DoCoMo advert, simply because he made a difficult summer full of laughs when I watched Sexy Voice and Robo. Dunno why, but his humor is like a young Dick van Dyke? Sort of wholesome even when rude. Probably just me. GIANT Starbucks spaceship!!

  10. whipcracker

    we have a few outlet malls here in my neck of the woods. But never really shopped at them. Seemed more expensive than the other stores we have. It's good to see that you have one close to you though. Like Protocol snow said will look forward to a review of the mall. I can't really associate Madonna with Christmas, i guess only for the fashionable of Shibuya I guess. Yes there was quite a few people out and about I would say. need to find a highperch to take pics. That Starbucks looks to be the perfect place for that. it sure seems to be in alot of your photos lately. Is that the enterance to Center gai to the left of Starbucks? To me it looks like it. With all the vehicles out they sure pay attention to their driving, compared to over here, w/ people on their cell phones while driving.

  11. HELLOSHEENA

    Looks crowded!

  12. lithiumangel

    Nicely spotted ! That's indeed the center gai entrance on Starbuck's left.

  13. Gakuranman

    Aww man. I envy you so much. That is the lens I would buy a Nikon just to use...

  14. shibuya246

    Thanks. You probably wouldn't envy my bank balance this month ;) It took a sting from the lens purchase.

  15. shibuya246

    Looks like you are ready for a trip over here. You will be able to find your way around without a guide after studying all the photos :)

  16. shibuya246

    Very happy to have you as a friend. thanks :)

  17. Hana Lee Takanori

    want to visit next week.

  18. Roberto Murayama

    I reccomend, take your wallet full (-_-;)

  19. Hana Lee Takanori

    hehehe i been there 2years ago my wallet was empty after shoping :)))))

  20. Ribeiro Katia

    Witch shops ? American shoppes ?!