Takashimaya- another amazing department store

We're starting to get the idea that there are more first-rate and over-the-top department stores than you can imagine here, all clustered in certain neighborhoods of Tokyo (in particular, Shinjuku and Ginza). We wanted to add another post about one called Takashimaya, which is also in Shinjuku like the Isetan. Takashimaya is a huge complex with 15 floors of clothing and accessories by famous international designers like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, L'Occitane, etc., with 4 (!) of the floors dedicated to restaurants on the top, and then an excellent food department in the basement. Takashimaya seemed to sell more international goods (we even spotted a bag of Hershey's chocolate chips and a jar of peanut butter- very hard to find outside of the U.S., even in Europe) and was more like the department stores in the U.S. with areas sectioned off by designer. While there was more variety at Takashimaya, Isetan offered an elegance and more authentic Japanese experience. Isetan is always crowded with Japanese women (dressed in their best) while Takashimaya appealed to a broader crowd.

Takashimaya Shinjuku- another amazing department store