Isetan
What we love…
- This might be the oldest department store in Tokyo but it stays young at heart with a fashion forward blend of both Japanese and international labels.
- You'll find 10 floors of luxury designer brands mixed with more modestly priced fashion items for men, women, and juniors. Pick up Japanese designer brands like Yoji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons, and Junya Watanabe or peruse the traditional kimono selection on the seventh floor, popular amongst wealthy visitors.
- Isetan devotes a section on the second floor to larger sized items, something that can be notoriously hard to find in Japan.
- For beauty head to the first floor which is vast and constantly buzzing with ladies looking for the latest and greatest.
- Our favorite part of Isetan is the huge food hall on the basement level with tons of prepared foods and fancy pastry shops. The food selection is parallel to none, you'll find beautifully prepared bento boxes, sushi, and other Japanese delicacies ready to be boxed. If you're in the mood for sweet make your way to the French pâtisserie shops like Jean-Paul Hevin, and Pierre Hermé, or check out Germany's best baumkuchen bakery Holländische kakao-stube. There's also a number of Japanese desserts and chocolatiers to sample as well.
GETTING THERE:
- Get off at Shinjuku station and take exits B2, B3, B4, or B5 which will all get you to Isetan.
TIP
- Keep in mind the food hall isn't a food court so there's no seats. If you aren't ready to make your way home to eat what you've bought make your way to the roof top garden on the ninth floor where you can seek out a spot to enjoy your delicious snacks. Just keep in mind that it typically closes an hour before the main stores at 7 pm.