A History of Showcasing Fine Foods
To get a glimpse of Japanese food in one place, there is probably no better spot than a depachika (departmental store). Starting around 1930, Japanese department stores began creating spaces to showcase the best food products available. While the type of food they originally sold fell into the rare and expensive categories, nowadays these food floors have become more mainstream. These food halls or food courts are a popular place for a grab-and-go bento box or to find everything you need for creating a gourmet dinner.
Depachika Locations in Tokyo
In Tokyo, there are several depachika that stand out. They include:
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi 日本橋三越 Daimaru Tokyo 大丸東京 Matsuya Ginza 銀座松屋 Isetan Shinjuku Store 新宿伊勢丹 Ikebukuro Tobu 池袋東武 Takashimaya Shinjuku 新宿高島屋
Based on recommendations from our Tokyo foodie friends, we visited the Isetan Department Store in the Ikebukuro district and explored their food floor. It’s worth noting that it would be impossible to capture the full range of food products available, so the photos below only scratch the surface of showcasing the selection.
Getting Started on Our Journey: Isetan Department Store
Like many depachikas, Isetan has theirs located on the lowest floor. From sweets to savories, the options on the Isetan food floor are overwhelming, featuring Japanese food art displays that draw you into the store. Towers of gorgeous cakes and pastries compete with fresh fruit, meat, and seafood displays to catch your eye.
Fun to Explore: Food Floors and More
While it is fun to just explore the food floor, all of the Isetan Mitsukoshi group department stores feature far more than just food. Check out their website for a full range of services.
Getting there: Metro-friendly access
The Shinjuku Isetan is easily accessed by metro, as it is just steps away from the Shinjuku station, on the Tokyo metro Fukutoshin line.
Formal Wear, Handkerchiefs, Umbrellas, and…Gourmet Candy?
Japanese department stores are eclectic in the products that they offer. It can be a little overwhelming when you visit Isetan’s food floor. Foreigners comment that it is like a grocery store combined with an art installation. Many of the items are intended for gift-giving. You will see products packaged in elegant box sets or paired with complementing products. The types of food available include: Click here for the complete list. Many of the products in the Food Floor are meant for a special meal or for gift giving and comes in elegant box sets.
World-Famous Meats and Seafoods
Japan is well known for its exceptionally high-quality meats and unique seafood, and you will find the very top-tier products in the Isetan showcases. Much different from a typical seafood or meat market, the products here are typically fully prepared and ready to cook.
Kelp and Seaweed Displays
Visitors to Japan are often surprised by the tremendous variety of kelp and seaweed in the Japanese diet. They form essential flavors for traditional dishes and have tremendous medicinal and health benefits.
Japanese Sweets and Pastries
With a culture that embraces delicately prepared sweets and pastries, it should come as no surprise that Isetan takes that to the next level. Many products are intricately packaged for gift-giving, ideal for overseas customers and international tourists as souvenirs.
Bakeries, Deli & Ready-Made Food
Many shoppers visit depachikas solely for the deli items. Ready-made bento boxes and Western dishes are prepared with busy business clients in mind, but they also make ideal lunches for hungry tourists. After exploring the food floor, you can take your deli items to a patio or rooftop garden to enjoy.
Wine Shops, Cheese, and Imported Confectionery Items
World-sourced gourmet wine bottles jostle for position against hard-to-find imported cheeses and sweets at Isetan, making them ideal for a special meal or as gifts for your host in Japan. Not only will Isetan give you a great snapshot of Japanese culture, but if you’re thinking of putting together a gift basket for a friend, a depachika food bazaar is ideal.
Refunds and Tax Credits for International Shoppers
As an international tourist, you have an extra incentive to visit the Isetan food floor: The refund program that Isetan has for international shoppers. By visiting their tax refund services counter, foreign passport holders can save up to 5% on most products, depending on eligibility. After viewing your passport, the staff at the Isetan tax counter will provide you with a guest card that identifies you for the discount.
Why We Loved Our Visit to Isetan
We spent over an hour just browsing around the Isetan food floor in Shinjuku. It’s a wonderful choice to get familiar with these giant depachikas, and as a premier depachika, it offers tremendous fun exploring the extensive selection. Our visit was far more than shopping—it was a fully immersive cultural experience. World nomads can not only experience some of Japan’s food culture but can also often find items from home. Take your time, try a sweet or two, and pick up some souvenirs to share with friends. Thank you for reading our Shinjuku ISETAN Food Floor guide. If you are interested in our other adventures in Japan, click here to read our Tokyo travel posts and Japan travel posts.
