Isetan Shinjuku

Isetan Shinjuku is a Mecca for high end stores and in your face displays . Rare brands we don’t get to see everywhere are all available. Baccarat crystal, Christofle cutlery, Wedgwood crockery , the usual Gucci/Armani/Lv/Hermes. All in one store. Minor complaint: sometimes we need a place to sit so a few chairs for customers would t be so out of place . But this seems to be a Japan wide issue. Great store great ambiance though

There is a rooftop garden on top of the Isetan main building. Loaded with beautiful flowers and grass land, as well as a Japanese temple! Good place if you want to feel the sun and the outdoor breeze after a long day of shopping.

The main branch “Shinjuku Isetan”, designated a historical landmark of Tokyo, is an old department store made up of several buildings, such as one mainly specializing in men’s items, and the Isetan Kaikan that mostly comprises restaurants and cafés. The main building is made of stone, and its retro exterior stands out amongst the modern buildings that line the Shinjuku area. The department store is particularly rich in fashion items, which are good quality and are enjoyed by a wide range of generations. The basement first floor of the underground level, known as Depachika, has a food market packed with delicious food, and is enjoyable even for browsing. The main building’s rooftop is a rooftop-garden, where seasonal flowers can be enjoyed.

Isetan – Tokyo During our 2024 trip to Japan, we made sure to visit Isetan, one of Tokyo’s most iconic department stores, located in the bustling Shinjuku district. Known for its elegance, variety, and attention to detail, Isetan offers a shopping experience that is as refined as it is diverse, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking both luxury and authentic Japanese culture. The store itself is a multi-level showcase of fashion, beauty, home goods, and specialty items. Each floor is thoughtfully curated, with a mix of top international brands and the very best of Japanese craftsmanship. Whether browsing for high-end apparel, artisanal accessories, or seasonal gifts, Isetan’s selection feels both comprehensive and exclusive. But perhaps the crown jewel of Isetan is its basement food hall—a place that is nothing short of a gastronomic wonderland. The moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a dazzling array of colors, aromas, and textures. Fresh sushi and sashimi counters offered pristine seafood prepared with precision; bakery stalls displayed an artful assortment of breads and pastries; confectioners presented delicate wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) that looked almost too beautiful to eat. We found the bento section particularly fascinating—rows of exquisitely prepared lunch boxes, each a perfect balance of flavor, presentation, and seasonality. For photographers, the food court is a dream come true: every display is meticulously arranged, and the interplay of vibrant ingredients and immaculate presentation offers endless inspiration. The service, as expected in Japan, was exceptional. Staff members were attentive, polite, and always ready to help navigate the vast selection or explain the story behind a product. Even with the hustle and bustle of the food court, the atmosphere remained welcoming and orderly. Isetan is more than a department store—it’s a cultural experience. From the top fashion floors to the culinary treasures underground, it encapsulates the essence of Tokyo’s blend of tradition and modernity. We enjoyed our 2023 & 2024 visit immensely and are considering a return in 2025. Isetan, along with its remarkable food court, will be featured in our upcoming Photolator Guide to Japan, highlighted as one of Tokyo’s top shopping and gourmet destinations for travelers and photographers alike. At the food court, you can find some pre packaged (for gifts) Fruits, even a 50$ Melon ! (see the short video)

View @ Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Limited. . The sprawling flagship store in Shinjuku is also cordially known as a fashion museum, thanks to its carefully curated and extensive list of luxury brands, high-fashion and everyday wear, and stylish displays. . They boast one of the largest cosmetic floors, gourmet and dining halls, and even a rooftop garden.

Arguably the best depachika in Tokyo. Do yourself a favour; head straight to the basement food section and buy to your stomach’s content. Then take the elevator to the 7th floor and take the stairs to the rooftop garden and enjoy your meal. This was one of the most fun experiences I had in Tokyo. The garden is huge and popular, plenty of seats, there’s toilets and of course a dedicated smoking area. I wouldn’t say the food here is cheap but you do get what you pay for and the quality is unbelievably high. The sushi I had was generous in portion and they will happily heat up any hot foods for you.

Shinjuku is a popular district with everything you will ever need. Great place to hangout and explore the bars and restaurants. Tax free shops available too for tourists

Visited March 2024. A famous department store known in the late 1800's for its high end kimonos. My favorite area was the rooftop.

Amazing goods. Incredible service. This applies to both food and goods. The store has 9 floors. You can live just eating in the basement for the food.

This is for the food part of the store because, let's face it, I can buy department store shit anywhere. The options are endless. There are bakeries, Japanese specialties, other Asian stuff, a grocery store, chocolates, you name it. I don't recall seeing any hot dogs but I think we can all do with a day off from that. Many of the signs are in Japanese which can make it difficult for non-Japanese speaking folk with some dietary restrictions but Google translate with the photo feature is a work around. The best thing about this place is that you can quickly try a wide variety of things and check most, if not all, of the boxes you had on your food bucket list. We tried tempura (vegetarian options available which is awesome), onigiri (vegetarian options), a potato croquette type thing, that spectacular japanese milk bread (shokupan), and that melon pan. GF also tried some sushi. Everything was delicious. The only issue we had, and this may be because we are dumb, but we could not for the life of us find any place to eat the shit we bought. We know that they are very particular about where food is consumed in Japan so felt insecure about this. We were forced to eat on the steps of a nearby building but it was raining on this particular day which made that less than ideal. Must visit when visiting Shinjuku for sure.

Isetan is a great department store in Tokyo. They have a lot of selection for food on their basement floor and their brands for clothing range from mid-range to high end. This department store also has a lot of great pop-up events throughout the year. For example, one of my favorite green tea brands Nodoka had a pop-up shop here for a few weeks even though the department store normally does not carry this brand. One of Isetan's biggest events is their annual Salon du Chocolat, which is a chocolate festival that started in Paris and is held in several cities around the world, including Tokyo. During the event, which normally takes place for two to three weeks, they would invite some of the best chocolatiers and pastry shops from around the world, especially France, and throughout Japan such as Es Koyama from Kobe and Hitotsune from Fukuoka. During COVID they have had to be a little creative with holding this large scale event since they were not able to invite the chocolatiers and pastry chefs from outside of Japan, but this year's 20th anniversary did not disappoint. They were able to hold the event by limiting the number of people who could go in at a time and requiring masks. This year I got to try several dishes, including a beautiful Colombian chocolate dessert from Tokyo's one star Michelin restaurant called Le Sputnik and a chocolate tart from a special collaboration between Fukuoka's Hitotsune and a microbrewery in Tokyo called Vertere. This was my first time visiting Isetan for Salon du Chocolat since I am normally in New York and the timing of my visits to Japan had never coincided with this event, but I was glad that I was able to check it out even if there were less chefs from around the world.

One of the best department stores we visited. Isetan is such an amazing place. You can buy anything you want in this department store. My wife definitely enjoyed it here as they carry all the high end brands as well as many other Japanese designers. My favorite part of course is always the lower level where all the food stuff is.

I love many things here. Great selections. But it's always crowded. Variety: Many things. Drink, food, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, bags, jewelries, supplements, etc... Quality: Higher. Price: Higher. Customer service: Amazing. Location: Close to stations. Parking: Yes! Free parking if you purchase more than ¥¥¥

Their basement isn't a food hall, it is a food art gallery. Come to admire the masterpieces. My favorite was the $300 melon. (See picture) They give samples of the "art work." I can't say the cookies are better because of the exquisite designs, but it was an amazing experience none the less. We came here one of the free tours from The Tokyo Metropolitan Government. So we had a refined Japanese grandmother showing us the food halls. It was the best way to see and admire the "art."

Quality. Period. That's all there is to say about this depato, about the depachika, about the goods sold here. Koko ni chasen o sagashimashita... and found one. Kuki gyukuro quality tea.. found. Present for my Jp's friend's kid... upstairs. Depchika amazing and simply indescribable. i cannot do that justice. I recall Sadaharu Aoki and Pierre Herme's outpost downstairs. Snacks in every form literally abound downstairs. It's jaw-dropping. I kept on saying, "honto... utsukushii" over and over. though this depato doesn't boast a Disney store or Fauchon, i was happy as a clam to sit on the subway for 5 minutes from where I was staying, and visit, time and time again...

Perhaps the world's greatest food hall right here at Isetan. A huge part of japanese culture, i remember articles about how young folk spend a lot of money to eat here daily as a luxury...kinda like 'avocado toast' and fancy coffee in the states these days. The grilled fish bentos here are amazing. All kinds of fish, i dont remember, so tender and delicious and really not that expensive compared to a restaurant. We avoided the $50+ melons but they sell like six precut chunks for a more affordable price. Even the basic white bread half-loaf that the kids really wanted for some reason was really good. Of course, you'll need to eat everything at home - there's no public seating! A strange concept, but got used to sharing the goodies with family in the hotel room

One of the more expensive shopping malls in town. It might be the most expensive in town. Most of the shops border on luxury brands. I really do love the underground food stores. They can get pricy but there are many famous and trendy companies there. Most of the confection/pastry/chocolate shops, you won't find at the duty free store in the airport. It's pretty close to the station and it's usually not as crowded as Takashimaya. It's connected to the Isetan Men's shop from one of the floors. They have a few quality choices when it comes to the top floor dining as well.

TL;DR - The King of Department Stores I could live here. Occupying a substantial plot in Shinjuku, Isetan is two buildings, divided by a minor road but with connecting floors at higher levels. One building is the men's department, and was where I spent most of my time. The scale of this place puts most European department stores to shame - the men's section alone is bigger than entire stores in the UK! There are lots of floors to explore, starting with shoes and leather goods on the ground floor and working your way up through formal and fashion lines, plus various other delights along the way - home audio, masculine scented candles, watches... it's all utterly glorious, beautifully presented and staffed by impeccably dressed and polite individuals. Tip top tip - at the entrance you can pick up a free guide to the store which explains where you can find everything.

I love exploring the basement food malls of large best in class Japanese department stores. Especially on the weekends when the fresh Doriyaki and other exquisite Japanese, Asian and western treats are stocked up for sale. There are simply wonderful as is the massive, unique and gorgeous food and confectionary displays. Pictures don't do justice to the experience, but it should be a required part of any Japan visit!

Beautiful, except... The chubby old woman with glasses manning the station near the sashimi salmon was rude. She had samples, but very quickly closed the lid both times my friend (who was Indian) came by and gave us a nasty look. She stared her up and down and made a disgust face BOTH times, scowling and narrowing her eyes. We weren't even going for the samples, except she was calling it out, and just us walking by caused her to close the lid and shove it back twice into the refrigerated section. I watched her after we passed and she took it out immediately again after we passed through both times. She shook her head at my friend after she closed the lid the second time and narrowed her eyes while we walked away. I made eye contact and she was just so nasty at us for no reason.

Isetan is a high end department store where they have designer goods, high-quality groceries, and delicious packaged food. High quality, high prices. The service is always superb here. We usually only come here for the fruits, sushi, and packaged food. Their fruits are all very sweet and fresh. They have many different types of the same fruit, say strawberries or melon, and the prices can vary significantly. Almost all their produce is marked down near closing and new ones are put out every morning. The sushi and packaged food are all delicious. Lots of variety and all packaged daily. Isetan is definitely a must-visit if you're every in Tokyo! It is very big and you can spend an entire here! Be sure to check their hours of operation as they're usually closed for all holidays and sometimes even for longer than the regular holiday (or shorter hours).

No need to mention; it's a well-known national brand dept. store. I usually come here for their well-selected food items, good French pastries, cheese, jam, caramel, etc. There is always something new to try. Today, I ventured into other floors. At B2 level, there is an area dedicated to cosmetics and health stuff, perfect with a health-menu cafe. Any kind of organic, healthy looking cosmetic brands and 'good for ye' food ingredients are found here. A couple of other cafes are located on other floors. Le Salon looked very exclusive as a collaboration between a big-name chef and the department store. It might be better to be well-dressed, as I felt out of place in a t-shirt and jeans. Another one is 'ladies' and gentlemen's cafe,' which was too crowded for me. The menu was enticing, though.

Huge department store. I spent most of time walking around the food court. It is a must do if your in the area. Everything looked really good. Also, the roof top garden is a nice spot to relax and enjoy any purchased food items. Their is a phone near one of the escalator's to get an English translator for any questions, etc.

Compared to other department stores, Isetan is the best! For browsing, for buying, for eating - the. best. It's museum style, so there are some people who were actively purchasing, but most people were just browsing and enjoying the fashion. So Isetan has shops for some very small, high end brands and boutiques that maybe you can only find in the backstreets of Soho. Everything is gorgeous (and obviously way to expensive). But what can you do when you have your eyes on some unique Helmut Lang pieces? They have separate buildings for the women's and men's sections of the store. In the basemen the infamous Isetan food court, which is incredible. It's a site to behold, really. I was overwhelmed, but you should really allocate a couple of hours to navigate and purchase food items in the food court. Also good for gifts!

So this used to be one of my favorite places to shop in Japan. There was the signature 'omotenashi', a great selection of brands, and clean, well maintained facilities. However, my last experience here changed all this. I picked out a pair of sneakers that I thought looked good when I tried them on, but, as any shopper can easily attest to, that feeling doesn't always persist when you take them home. So I attempted to return them the very next day--mind you, I never wore them for more than a minute (and never outside), the tags were still attached, I had my receipt, and the original undamaged packaging--and I was told that this was impossible unless I picked out something similar from a small section of the store (literally, about 3 different racks of clothes and maybe 4 different styles of shoes). This is an unnecessarily restrictive return policy that will end up costing them money in the end as I will never be shopping there again. Pretty poor business decision on their part considering they could have put those shoes on the shelf and sold them to the next happy customer, and retained my future business. I will stick to Takashimaya or the myriad small boutique shops that dot Tokyo, rather than support a luxury chain who is so desperate for cash that they wont allow what should have been a routine return.

OK. Well Isetan is basically the most beautiful department store you've ever laid eyes on and the fashion is absolutely stunning. It's enormous, with the women's store cross the street from the men's store. Here are my recommends for the women's building if you wanted to prioritize and not kill a whole day at Isetan, not that there is anything wrong with that... 1. the Japanese designers floor because there is nowhere else you will see such a selection of Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Commes Des Garçons, Junya Watanabe, etc all under one roof. It is a thing of beauty. And the service is beyond. 2. the formal kimono floor because it is beyond gorgeous and where else are you going to see this? 3. the best food court in the world on the basement level. Seriously. Go hungry and enjoy because it is an out-of-this-world experience. You're welcome.

Hidden gems are always ..... In a train station??? Lol in Japan that is true and true . We were just wandering around and bam !!! I saw food!!! Lots and lots of food ... All kinds any kinds!! I'm like a fat kid in a candy store , I think I'm in love

Huge mall with lots of stuff. Lol. I'm a guy. Get an opinion from a girl. My favorite part of this department store, and all others in Japan, is the basement food section. If you have never been, certainly worth checking out.

Huge and wonderful department store. All stores shook he run and efficiently. My saleswoman was knowledgeable, courteous and so helpful, of course, as I am now used to such unbelievable service in Japan by now. Went to house supply floor for Shun knives and came out with 3 beautiful knives that I will likely have for the rest of my life. The cashier was great to inform me that i could get my tax refund for my purchases on the 6th floor and we promptly did. Was a great experience all in all.

My favorite department store on earth. One of the few I can spend more than 15 minutes in. Outstanding product and attentive service. In my mind, the highlight is their basement food court. God I love that place... the best food court I've ever seen. A ton of different products, both Japanese and international. My favorite: a homemade ice cream vender. I always buy a small cup w/ two flavors: (1) dark chocolate and (2) sea salt. What a combo! You can also buy great quality prepared foods and incredible fresh food items. One warning: It's not an "American-style" food court because you take the food and leave the premises. Technically, you're not allowed to eat inside the food court. The good news: everything is ready and packed "to go". It's all great nonetheless!

DO NOT COME TO ISETAN IF YOU WANT A BARGAIN. It is a great department store for people with lots of money. If you are rich and like to spend $300 for a basic sweater or $800 for a simple dress, this is the spot for you (5 stars for rich women!) There were lots of floors for women's clothes/bags/shoes. If you are like me and don't spent more than $30 on a shirt/dress/pants, skip this place. Unless you come right when it opens, all the workers bow to you and as an American I didn't know what to say other than thank you. Culture shock!

Isetan is LEGIT! But it's $$$$! I didn't really care about all the clothing/shoes in this department store (they were beautiful but WAYYY too expensive). However, I was ALL OVER the basement aka the Food Area. There were so many delicious foods to see (and possibly eat) that I spent hours just wandering around taking pictures. They have some of the finest meats, fish, sushi and desserts here. That's not all of course, they have oodles and oodles of specialty items, but be careful because they are expensive! Since I was a student I wasn't able to afford many things at Isetan, but once in awhile I would treat myself to a nice mini cake or pastry. And they were always DIVINE. I highly recommend you visit Isetan. Even if you don't buy anything the experience alone is amazing =)

If I could i give 10 stars. European shopping malls are a joke compared to this. Very helpfull staff. Full of great choices. Very upscale. Don't mis the food court....amazing!!!! Oh yes bring $$$$

this is definitely a high end department store. there are so many floors! but let me also add that a lot of things are over priced. (speaking about the cosmetics section). walked through the cosmetics section thinking i can maybe find some type of deal, but boy was i wrong. it's so much more expensive here! definitely costs less in the states. the bottom floor has all the food and desserts. lots of varieties and options. lots of nice and friendly faces. we got to sample almost a little bit of everything. also bought some things in here to take home as gifts. if you're looking for gifts to take back and don't know what to get, try looking here. you can't go wrong with desserts!

What I remember from this department store. Years ago they start selling Hello Kitty merchandise without any advertising. They started with a little Sanrio store within the department and I remember baking hello kitty cookies when I was a little girl. I remember bought my first courage purse from there. So many good memories. Food court had many selections but the portion is rather small. I am thinking of going back there next year. I prefer Isetan (イセタン) over Mitsukoshi (みつこし) any day.

When you think of a department store, I really hope you aren't thinking of a traditional brick and mortar establishment like J.C. Penny or Macy's. Because Isetan is clearly not that type of store.It showcases top brands in small boutique like settings but that's not what made this tourist a fan...it was the basement food area that dotes most Japanese department stores. Where else can you get fresh tempura, high quality sushi, and fragrant and full of flavor white strawberries? Perhaps you would like a bento box filled with unagi and fresh takuan or maybe some braised shoyu pork belly that makes your mouth water. While seating is literally non-existent, you can definitely grab your bites and enjoy the weather (assuming its nice). The same level features a plethora of omiyage (gift) options if you need that special something for your friends or family back home. Whether you want to take back arare in a bag or tin, perhaps the signature Yoku Moku crackers, or specialty teas, it's all available there. They even carry those special bottles of Japanese liquor...sadly it isn't duty free. Service is impeccable. However, you are in Japan so that is hard to not believe. Prices are a tad higher than their competition, however you are paying for the quality and the experience that is Isetan.

We were sightseeing in Shinjuku and went into the famous Isetan department store for a look. It still retains the classiness and glamour from its glorious past. We decided to try out the "depachika" experience exploring the basement food mart. It's fascinating to see all kinds of fresh good quality and pleading looking food merchandise on display. We bought two different fresh sashimi packages. At the checkout counter we asked for chopsticks and soy sauce. Then we took the elevator to the roof top garden where we purchased two super cold beer. We found a patio table to enjoy the fresh sashimi and beer. It was a wonderful oasis eight stories above a busy city. Great depachika experience.

The only thing I explored was the basement food halls. OMG beautiful, a foodies dream with prepared foods, desserts, fresh fish, oils, spices, sushi, you name it you can get any luxury food item presented in a beautiful setting. Service is impeccable. A must visit if you're in Shinzuku.

The Isetan depachika (bottom level gourmet food department) is a must see. It is like Whole Foods on steroids. The freshest sushi, tempura and most amazing artisan pastries, along with some very pricy produce. A bento box here is more expensive than other department stores, nothing under $10. A bag of imported California grapes is about $20, choke on that for a moment. There is so much food to chose from, you literally need a guide book. Love this place.

The department store of choice in my family. My daughter is moving to Osaka for her new job and she has lots of things to buy. Normally she would take trains but this time I had to drive her here as she expects many items to bring home. Many interesting to see while I wait for her to finish shopping.

This is my favorite department store in the world! I normally dislike department stores as I find them too overwhelming and prefer individual boutiques, but I always look forward to shopping here. The largest and best shoe department I have ever seen! The clothing is fabulous with loads of designers I haven't seen in the US or Europe. Customer service is outstanding as well. I just got back from a trip to Tokyo and had to buy another suitcase to bring home my purchases!

Great store and fantastic service. Think Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods with an incredible food hall. The cosmetics department here cannot be beat!