Isetan Shinjuku
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Shinjuku-sanchome Station · 1 min walk (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
- Hours
- 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (7F restaurant arcade: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings right after opening at 10:00 AM for minimal crowds in the B1F food hall, or sunny afternoons to sit in the rooftop garden.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
More than just a department store, Isetan Shinjuku is a legendary Tokyo institution that sets global fashion and culinary trends. Spanning two adjacent buildings, it features world-class designer boutiques, curated Japanese crafts, and an unparalleled 'depachika' (basement food hall) brimming with gourmet delicacies. It is the ultimate stop for travelers seeking high-end retail therapy and an authentic taste of Japan's meticulous luxury service.
What Japanese guides note
Visitors arriving via the Fukutoshin Line must note the time-based directional rule at the Isetan Shomen turnstiles, which switch from exit-only to entry-only at 3:00 PM. While ground-level lines form before 10:00 AM on Shinjuku-dori, commuters using the underground Metro Promenade can enter directly into the B1F basement via exits B3, B4, and B5. Department store policy prohibits eating takeaway items while walking through merchandise areas; food purchased in the depachika should be taken to the open-air rooftop i-Garden.
Details from local sources
- The present Main Building combines the 1926 Hoteiya department store structure and the 1933 Isetan building, which were fused behind a unified Art Deco facade in 1935. [source]
- At Shinjuku-sanchome Station on the Fukutoshin Line, the dedicated Isetan Shomen ticket gate operates exclusively as an exit from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, then switches to entry-only from 3:00 PM until the last train. [source]
- The Main Building and the adjacent Men's Building are connected indoors across three levels: the B1F basement and connecting bridges on the 3rd and 6th floors. [source]
- The rooftop of the Main Building features a landscaped lawn garden named i-Garden planted with seasonal trees including cherry blossoms and Japanese maples. [source]
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government registered the Main Building as a Tokyo Selected Historical Building in 2003 under selection number 53. [source]
- International tourists can register for a 5% discount Guest Card and process consumption tax refunds at dedicated service counters on Main Building B2F and 6F. [source]
- Isetan Shinjuku ranks first among all individual department store branches in Japan by annual sales revenue. [source]
Insider Tip
Head straight to the B1 food hall to sample exquisite seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets) and pick up beautifully packaged edible gifts.
Frequently asked
How do you reach Isetan Shinjuku from JR Shinjuku Station without walking outside?
Exit JR Shinjuku Station through the East Gate or Central East Gate and head into the Metro Promenade underground corridor. Walk east toward Shinjuku-sanchome Station for approximately five to seven minutes, following overhead signposts directly into Isetan's B1F food floor via exits B3, B4, or B5.
How can foreign tourists obtain a discount card at Isetan Shinjuku?
Present a foreign passport at the Guest Card counters on Main Building B2F or 6F. Eligible visitors receive the Isetan Mitsukoshi Guest Card, which grants an immediate 5% discount on qualifying merchandise before processing consumption tax rebates at the adjacent tax-free counters.
Can you move between the Main Building and Men's Building without going outside?
Yes, indoor transitions link both buildings across three levels. Walkers can use the subterranean corridor on B1F near the liquor and grocery department, or cross the elevated skybridges situated on the 3rd and 6th floors without stepping onto the street.
Where can visitors eat food purchased from the basement food hall?
General floor seating is not permitted in retail aisles, but customers can carry packaged meals up to the Main Building rooftop park, known as i-Garden. This open green space features lawn plots and wooden benches, though it closes during rain or inclement weather.
Tours near Isetan Shinjuku
On the same walk
Photos
