Find Ideal Souvenirs And Great Services At Shinjuku Takashimaya

“I want to buy an authentic Japanese souvenir!”
“I want to get something I can’t find anywhere else before I leave!”

If this sounds like you, then why not pay a visit to a department store? Department stores are where you will not only find products made in Japan, but also famous brands of sweets and even traditional handicrafts; they are simply the best place to find items that are only available in Japan.

Beyond their incredible selection of products, they also have great services too. For example Shinjuku Takashimaya, located right by JR Shinjuku Station, offers discounts, free delivery, interpretation assistance and many other convenient services to its international customers. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs for friends and family, or even looking to treat yourself to something nice, you’ll find everything you could want here!

It’s also easy to reach - if you are on any of the JR lines, head out of either the New South Exit or the Miraina Tower ticket gate and you’re practically there. And, as it is also nearby Busta Shinjuku, Shinjuku Takashimaya is also very convenient for those who have taken the highway bus from the airports to stop and shop at too.

Let’s Take A Look At Shinjuku Takashimaya’s Services

In order to cater to the increased number of international visitors coming to their center, Shinjuku Takashimaya has begun offering a wide variety of different services. However, you will need to bring your passport with you if you would like to take advantage of these services, so don’t forget it!

Service 1: 5% Discount Card for Tourists Only

Only international tourists who shop at Shinjuku Takashimaya are eligible for the Takashimaya Shopper’s Card, a special discount card. This card offers a 5% discount on sales of over 3000 yen before tax, however it can be combined with tax-exempt qualifying purchases, which makes it an even better deal! The cute Hello Kitty designs of the card are sure to steal your heart too.

** Please note that there are some exceptions and products that this card does not apply to.

Service 2: The Duty-Free Counter Also Has a Delivery Service

The duty free counter also provides a delivery service, so for those who would like to continue on with their sightseeing after they shop, they don't have to worry about lugging about their purchases with them. Deliveries to hotels in the metropolitan area (20 different locations) are free, while deliveries to Haneda and Narita Airports will incur a fee. There are also foreign currency exchange machines established here, so you need not worry if you are running low on Japanese yen.

Service 3: English and Chinese Interpreters to Help with Shopping

At Shinjuku Takashimaya, there is a concierge who can speak English and interpreters on staff who can speak English and Chinese. You can enjoy shopping without stress by simply calling on these staff whenever you would like to hear descriptions of cosmetics and traditional crafts.

The store and restaurant guide is also available in four languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.

Service 4: Cosmetics Consultation Services

There is a special counter located in the cosmetics section where you can get counseling regarding which cosmetics best suit your needs. This service is also recommended for those who would like to purchase cosmetics or other beauty products as souvenirs, but aren't sure where to start.

** Counseling requires advance reservations. Those who will need interpretation services should enquire about this at the time of booking.

Service 5: Luggage Storage Service, Even For Larger Items

Because Shinjuku Takashimaya is conveniently located near JR Shinjuku Station and the Bus Terminal, it is the perfect place to find souvenirs before departing from Tokyo. For this reason, the cloak room facilities here have space for luggage, meaning that you can shop without having to drag any heavy bags around with you, and if you make any purchases in the stores in Takashimaya, this cloak room service is free.

** You will be asked to show your receipts.

Service 6: Strollers and Nursing Rooms On Site, Great for Those with Kids

In addition to having baby stroller rentals at the entrances, there are also child-friendly rest rooms available as well. There is a room with private areas where you can breastfeed, hot water supplies in order to heat up formula, diaper changing facilities, and microwaves, making Shinjuku Takashimaya an all around excellent place to shop with your infant or young children.

On every floor there are also multi-functional toilet facilities available, enabling anyone to use the restroom facilities with ease throughout the building.

Service 7: Prayer Room

There is a prayer room available on the eleventh floor, which is open for anyone to use.

Other Great Services: Wi-fi, Overseas Delivery and Rent-a-Cycles

From the end of January 2017, free Wi-fi will be available throughout the entire building. There are also overseas shipping services available for your purchases as well. One other service they offer is the rent-a-cycle - wouldn't it be nice to rent a bike and go sightseeing on a sunny day? This requires advance reservation however, which can be made here!

Top Buyer Selected Products Are Displayed on Every Floor!

Takashimaya is a department store that can easily state that there isn't anything they don't have, as they have a full complement of stores selling practically everything you could want. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs for friends and family or looking for a special something for yourself, any sort of shopping can be done at Shinjuku Takashimaya.

#1 Most Recommended Spot: the Basement Grocery Area!

The basement floor of many Japanese department stores is home to the depachika, a prepared food and grocery store area, where gourmet treats can be purchased. This is one of the most popular areas in a department store.

In the Meika Hyakkusen corner you will find hundreds of Japanese sweets from brands all across Japan available in a buffet-style format. If you see some sweets that you would like to try, you can add them to your own unique selection, which is a feature of this shop.

The Shinjuku Takashimaya version of the classic Tokyo souvenir, the Tokyo Meika Hiyoko, is only sold here; there are also many other Takashimaya-limited products available in the depachika, so please check it out.

In the western style sweets section, you will find Patissieria, a shop selling eleven different types of cakes made by popular pastry chefs. There is also an 'eat-in corner', where you can take a break and enjoy some of the delicious treats you have found here.

This is the KitKat specialty shop, KitKat Chocolatory, produced by Japanese representative patissier, Yasumasa Takagi. Your friends are sure to enjoy receiving matcha green tea and kinako powder flavored KitKats as souvenirs!

In the meat section customers can also purchase wagyu (Japanese beef). If packed in cooler bags, it can be taken as a souvenir to some of the countries overseas.

In addition to sake, fresh sushi, and lunch boxes featuring dishes from all over the country, you can also find prepared delicatessen items such as croquettes and tempura here. This makes depachika one of the best ways in which to enjoy the various foods of Japan.

For Traditional Japanese Handicrafts, Visit the 10th and 11th Floors

Shinjuku Takashimaya's tableware and kitchen utensils corner is a treasure trove of items made in Japan. Here you will find many different items that make for perfect souvenirs, such as Nambu iki (ironware traditionally manufactured in Iwate prefecture), pottery teapots, sake cups and carafes, chopstick rests and much more.
**The chopstick rests pictured in the fourth photo are season-limited items.

On the eleventh floor is the Japanese Craft shop where you will find many good quality and reasonably priced Japanese handicrafts for sale. Here you can purchase furoshiki (wrapping cloths), folding fans, wallets and other fashion accessories, as well as yukata with unusual kanji patterns, daruma and manekineko statues and many, many other interesting items all in one place.

Cosmetics of All Sorts Available on the 1st Floor!

On the first floor you will find SK-II, Albion, RMK, Shu Uemura and other Japanese and international cosmetics brand shops - 34 in total.

Brushes and products made by the Japanese cosmetics brush maker, Takeda Brush, which were awarded to the Japanese Women's Soccer team, Nadeshiko Japan, can also be purchased on the first floor.

Fashion, Bags, Shoes and Accessories too! Brand Name Stores Complete the Set

Shinjuku Takashimaya is the only department store where you will find Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Chanel flagship stores. Not only these incredibly popular brands but also Tiffany's, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Gucci, Coach, Bulgari, Cartier and many other international brand name stores are located here.

Y3, BaoBao Issey Miyake, Comme des Garcons, Onitsuka Tiger, children's clothing manufacturer Miki House, Familiar, and many other fashion brands popular both within Japan and abroad can also be found here.

In addition to shops selling fashionable items such as ladies' shoes, men's neckties and wallets, stores with vast selections of pearls and watches are also abundant, making even window-shopping in Takashimaya an exciting experience!

Within the same building, you can also find UNIQLO and Tokyu Hands, which make Shinjuku Takashimaya an ideal place for those with a limited amount of time to shop at - it is a one-stop shopping center that can meet all your needs.

No matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find the ideal souvenir at Shinjuku Takashimaya.

** The photographs included in this article may feature some products which are not available all year long, or which may temporarily run out of stock or production. Please keep this in mind when shopping.

Shinjuku Takashimaya

5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8580

Sponsored by Shinjuku Takashimaya