A Japanese tourist has accidentally shut down the main shopping mall in Alice Springs by chaining his suitcase to a chair and going shopping.

Security guards raised the alarm when they saw a suitcase chained to a bench outside a bank.

Police estimate hundreds of workers and shoppers were evacuated from the area and the bomb disposal team was sent to investigate.

Ambulance and emergency services were also called in and the area was sealed off. But after more than an hour a Japanese tourist approached the police cordon and asked if he could pick up his bag.

Superintendent Sean Parnell says the man did not realise he had caused the drama.

"Like a scene out of a movie I would imagine. He was wondering what the police were doing, " he said.

Police says the bag contained clothes and personal items.