Shinjuku is the home to most major Japanese department stores and you can shop till late with most retail stores open until 9 or 10 pm. These stores usually sell high-end brands. Most have a luxury grocery market in their basement (to keep the food cool).
Where to Shop in Shinjuku Tokyo?
You’ll easily find Lumine, Takashimaya, Odakyu, Marui, Isetan, Seibu, and Keio Department Stores represented in the area surrounding Shinjuku Station. If you noticed that some of the names are similar to train line names, you’re correct! The Odakyu, Keio, and Seibu companies also own private railways in Japan.
Something to note: Tokyu Hands, known for their hobby and DIY supplies, has their Shinjuku branch inside the Takashimaya department store.
Enjoy shopping in Japan’s most influential and iconic department store: Isetan Shinjuku
If you want to experience world-class trendsetting shopping, Isetan’s Flagship store in Shinjuku Tokyo is the premier destination to visit. Out of all the department stores in Japan, Isetan Shinjuku holds the distinction of having the highest amount of sales on an annual basis.
Isetan Shinjuku is the flagship store of the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group, one of the largest department store groups in the country. The main building was constructed in 1933 and it’s original Gothic and Art Deco style architecture still remains preserved today.
Don’t Forget: Before you enter, take some time to admire the intricate details of the building’s architecture and its rich history.
In 2013, the building underwent remodeling and modernized its approach to merchandising and curating. Redefining itself as the “World’s Best Fashion Museum”, Isetan Shinjuku elegantly combines art, fashion, and beauty to create the most mesmerizing, creative, and eye-catching displays. For many fashionistas and trendsetters from all over the world, the visual displays at Isetan Shinjuku is a must-see attraction.
Isetan Shinjuku is an all-genre department store as it considers clothing, food, and shelter to be all part of fashion. In addition to clothing, you can find household goods, stationery, kitchen, and bedding accessories on the 5th floor of the main building. As a callback to the department store’s origin as a Kimono shop in 1886, there is an extensive selection of Kimono offerings and goods.
This department store is separated into two buildings: the Main building, which focuses on Women’s fashion and the Men’s building. The buildings are connected via passageways, which are found on the First Basement Floor (B1F), 3rd floor and 6th floor.
What we love about Isetan Shinjuku the most is their depachika, which are heavenly food halls found in the basements of department stores.
Pro Tip: The tax refund counters are located on the Second Basement Floor (B2F) of the Main Building and the 6th Floor of the Main Building. You can also apply for a free guest card that offers foreign visitors 5% of their total purchase:
Website: https://isetan.mistore.jp/store/shinjuku/foreign_customer/index.html
Link for Guest Card Application: https://isetan.mistore.jp/store/shinjuku/foreign_customer_service/guestcard/index.html
Address: 3-chōme-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tōkyō-to 160-0022, Japan
Hours: Daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Electronic Stores
Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, and Yamada Denki all have branches in Shinjuku. Each chain is competing against the other around the station, so you’ll probably find multiple branches in every direction.
Something to note: Bic Camera and the clothing chain, Uniqlo, have a partnered store called Bicqlo. If you want a one-stop shop for clothes and electronics, this is your ideal store!
Clothing Stores
You’ll find the highest concentration of clothing stores near Shinjuku Station’s South East Exit. In addition to many different unique and higher-end brands, there are also Gap, Forever 21, H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara branches.
Other Specialty Shops
In addition to the categories above, Shinjuku is also home to a variety of specialty shops. Sporting goods shops include brands like Montbell, Adidas, and Fjallraven. There’s a large Don Quijote branch, home to all sorts of affordable quirky items.
For otaku, there are a couple of Animate stores as well as several bookstores like Kinokuniya. If you’re looking for secondhand goods, there’s also a BookOff.
Pro Tip: if you’re looking for books in English, the Kinokuniya in Shinjuku has a decent English selection. You can also find a good number of English books in the nearby BookOff branches.