11 best department stores in Tokyo

What is it? Sitting right outside Tokyo Station, Daimaru Tokyo is one of the most convenient and central department stores in the capital. Explore its 11 floors that specialise in everything from fashion to flowers, and don’t miss the first and basement floors for the incredible selection of food including beautifully packaged cookies and cakes, takeaway bento lunch boxes and freshly baked bread. Daimaru also hosts ten art exhibitions per year, following its theme of ‘the department store goes artistic’. You can see the event schedule here.

Come here for… Daimaru's Bento Street on the basement floor, which offers a staggering selection of approximately 1,000 types of bento lunch boxes. It's the perfect stop to grab a bite for your shinkansen ride.

Tip… While most depachika food halls are found only in basements, Daimaru Tokyo also has more food on its first floor level. Here, you'll find a selection of perfectly packaged sweets and gifts that make great souvenirs.

What is it? After a much-needed revamp, Shibuya Parco reopened in 2019 boasting a number of luxury stores, hip boutiques, art galleries, cinema, plus an entire floor dedicated to manga and gaming. Compared to its predecessor, the new and improved Parco definitely has a young and hip vibe, easily making it a hub for fashionistas and the cool crowds of Shibuya. 

Come here for… Miss Harajuku’s iconic Condomania after it was demolished a while back? Well, guess what? You can now find it at its new home in Shibuya Parco.

Tip… Unlike the depachika found in most department store basements, Parco Shibuya has used its underground level to house Chaos Kitchen, a food hall filled with some of Tokyo’s coolest restaurants. Take your pick from the likes of ramen at Jikasei Mensho and even mock chicken karaage at vegan restaurant Izakaya Masaka.

What is it? This Shibuya department store is split into two buildings, Annexes A and B, which face each other across the street. Annexe A sells mainly womenswear; Annexe B menswear, children’s clothes and accessories. The top floor of Annexe A is dedicated to the Dining Plaza, where you'll find a number of tasty restaurants including conveyor belt sushi, Korean fried chicken and even an oyster bar. If you’re visiting on holiday from overseas, don’t forget to bring your passport; you can use it at the tax-exemption counter on the seventh floor of Annexe A. 

Come here for… This particular Seibu hosts additional retailers in the building including popular stores like Loft, Muji and Books Kinokuniya. It’s truly your one-stop-shop for everything on your shopping list. 

Tip… Seibu Shibuya also offers temporary luggage storage, a great convenience if you need some place central to store your bags. It's reasonable, too, costing just ¥500 a day for smaller bags and backpacks and ¥800 a day for larger suitcases.

What is it? Arguably one of the trendiest department stores in Japan, the flagship Isetan Shinjuku is renowned for having its window displays created by leading artists and offers only the finest in food, clothing and homeware. Working from the bottom up, you'll find the 'beauty apothecary' on the second basement floor, food and travel items on the first basement level, then the other seven floors dedicated to ladies' fashion and homeware. A block away from Isetan Shinjuku you’ll also find Isetan Men’s – a department store dedicated to the gentlemen.

Come here for… Isetan Shinjuku is known for having many pop-up events with brands and artists. You can check its event calendar to see what’s currently in store.

Tip… Isetan Shinjuku is connected to an extensive network of underground passages, which take you not only to Shinjuku and Shinjuku-Sanchome stations, but also to other department stores in the area including Takashimaya Shinjuku and the Lumine buildings.

What is it? You’ll find this huge shopping complex around Shinjuku Station's new south exit, with part of it spreading all the way inside the station itself. Newoman features not only plentiful shops, cafés and restaurants but also a full-scale concert hall/event space, a rooftop garden, a kindergarten and a clinic.

Come here for… The stylish department store has a top notch café selection with a number of great spots including Blue Bottle Coffee, Le Café de Joel Robuchon, Toraya An Stand and Verve Coffee Roasters to name just a few.

Tip… Don’t head to the basement to visit the depachika here – instead, the food hall is located inside the paid ticket gates at JR Shinjuku Station near the new south exit. There’s no shortage of sweet souvenirs and hearty bento lunch boxes here.

What is it? Mitsukoshi is Japan's oldest surviving department store chain, dating back to 1673, and this vast edifice is its flagship store. It provides a range of customer services including interpretation and shopping assistance in English and Chinese, advice on tax refunds and a guest card with discounts for overseas tourists. Aside from plenty of designer fashions, you’ll also find a great depachika food basement here that includes ready-to-eat bento lunch boxes, fresh bread and a tea room for afternoon tea.

Come here for… The architecture is definitely a highlight of this department store. Mitsukoshi had the historical building's first floor revamped by renowned architect Kengo Kuma and it now resembles a modern white forest. The renewed area mainly takes over the cosmetics, jewellery and accessories sections.

Tip… Don’t want the hassle of carrying all your shopping bags around Tokyo? Mitsukoshi offers a hotel delivery service where you can get your bags sent right back to your hotel. Check with the international customer service centre on the second floor of the new building annexe for the list of eligible hotels.

What is it? Along with Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya is one of Japan’s most venerable department store chains. The Nihonbashi location is quite complex, housing the original main building, the annex Nihombashi Takashimaya SC building, East Building and Takashimaya Watch Maison. The Nihombashi Takashimaya SC building is the newest addition to the complex and offers nearly as many luxuries as the original building. The department store also has a range of services including international ATMs, foreign currency exchange, stroller rentals and refrigerated coin lockers to store food.

Come here for… Pokémon fans will want to make a beeline for the Pokémon Center Tokyo DX & Pokémon Café in the department store’s East Building.

Tip… While the main building houses a proper depachika food hall with ready-to-eat meals and beautifully packaged food souvenirs, the basement of the SC building hosts fast serving eateries catering to busy Tokyoites passing through the area. Some of our favourites include Vietnamese noodles from Compho and fresh salads from WithGreen.

What is it? The Ginza branch of Mitsukoshi lives up to the department store brand's high standards with its collections of luxury womenswear, menswear and household goods. Foodies will be in their element exploring the B3 and B2 basement floors for everything from Japanese tea to exquisite cakes and beautifullly prepared bento lunch boxes. Keep an eye out for the bronze lion outside Mitsukoshi’s main entrance, which serves as a popular meeting place in the area.

Come here for… On the eighth floor of the department store you’ll find the jaw-dropping Art Aquarium – an art museum featuring live goldfish with exhibitions themed on the season or upcoming holidays.

Tip… Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the streets below? Make a pitstop at Ginza Mitsukoshi’s ninth floor where you’ll find a gorgeous rooftop garden. Plenty of tables and benches are available for lounging and you can bring your bento from the depachika to enjoy up here.

What is it? Matsuya is notable for having in-store boutiques from the famous triumvirate of Japanese fashion revolutionaries: Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Akio Hirata, all of which are situated on the fourth floor. Japanese souvenirs are on the seventh, and shopping services for foreign tourists – tax exemption and overseas delivery – are on the third. The service counter on the third floor can also help with international shipping and delivery to your hotel or the airport.

Come here for… Looking to do something other than shopping? The rooftop of Matsuya Ginza is home to On The Green, a driving range and golf school where you can practise your swing. 

Tip… Matsuya Ginza offers expert consultation services related to a variety of its departments. You'll find everyone from a cheese pro and vegetable sommelier to a watch coordinator and shoe fitter. Oh, and these consultation services are completely free.

What is it? Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, as the name suggests, caters to men with high-end and casual fashion from domestic and international designers, leather goods, skincare products and much more. For those looking for more than just shopping, there's also a hair and nail salon on the top floor for some well-deserved grooming.

Come here for… Ginza Sneaker Hills, an entire floor dedicated to sneakers. Not only can you buy today's most sought after kicks, but you can also check out a sneaker museum and even a hospital where shoe repairs are done.

Tip… Visiting on holiday from overseas? Stop by the reception desk on the fifth floor. A guest coupon for a five percent discount will be given to tourists who present a non-Japanese passport.

What is it? This department store near the east exit of Ikebukuro Station carries fashion, food and homewares. It’s one of the busiest shops in Japan in terms of customers, and is also home to popular stores such as Muji and Loft. There’s a wide range of Japanese, Western and Chinese restaurants, too. The basement depachika houses more quality outlets and a high-end supermarket.

Come here for… Head up to the ninth floor and you’ll find an entire cactus nursery and store. Kakusen-En has been selling succulents since 1977 with varieties brought in from South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Peru.

Tip… Multilingual services are offered here including sales associates who speak English and Chinese. Just look for the staff wearing a specific badge stating ‘English speaker’ or ‘Chinese speaker’.