Japanese Department Store Floors: A Complete Guide to What Each Level Sells

Japanese department stores (デパート, depāto) follow a remarkably consistent layout across the country. Whether you're browsing Takashimaya in Tokyo's Nihombashi district or exploring Daimaru in Osaka's Shinsaibashi, you'll find the same products on the same floors. This predictability makes shopping efficient once you understand the system.

Let me walk you through each floor, explaining what you'll find and sharing practical tips for making the most of your visit.

Basement Floors (B2-B1): The Depachika Food Halls

The basement levels house the famous depachika (department store food halls), and they're worth visiting even if you're not shopping. Most stores have one or two basement floors dedicated entirely to food.

B2 (when present): Larger stores use this level for additional food sections, often focusing on:

• Fresh produce and imported goods
• Specialty food shops
• Wine and spirits (some stores)
• Additional prepared foods overflow

B1 (universal): This is the main depachika floor. Arrive between 10:00-11:00 AM to see everything fresh, or come after 7:00 PM for discounts of 20-50% on prepared foods with that day's date.

You'll find:

• Wagashi (Japanese sweets): Traditional confections perfect for gifts, typically ¥1,000-3,000 per box
• Western-style cakes and pastries: Individual pieces from ¥400-800
• Bento boxes: Elaborate prepared meals from ¥800-2,500
• Deli counters: Salads, side dishes sold by weight
• Fresh seafood: Sashimi-grade fish, often with same-day sourcing
• Imported cheeses and charcuterie: Premium European products
• Tea and coffee specialists: Loose leaf teas from ¥1,500-5,000 per 100g
• Bread bakeries: Japanese-style soft breads and Danish pastries

Practical tip: Most depachika vendors offer free samples throughout the day. Try before you buy, and don't feel obligated to purchase. At Isetan Shinjuku's depachika, I've counted over 30 different vendors offering samples on a typical Saturday afternoon.

Ground Floor: Cosmetics, Accessories, and Luxury Goods

The ground floor creates the store's first impression with bright lighting, wide aisles, and premium products.

What you'll find:

• Japanese cosmetics: Shiseido, SK-II, Kanebo counters with English-speaking staff at major stores
• International beauty brands: Dior, Chanel, Lancôme, usually with Japanese product lines not available overseas
• Handbags and small leather goods: Designer brands and Japanese labels, ¥30,000-300,000+
• Accessories: Scarves, jewellery, watches from ¥5,000 upwards
• Perfumes: Both Japanese and international fragrances

Tax-free shopping: Look for the tax-free counter (免税, menzei) near the ground floor entrance. You'll need your passport and must spend over ¥5,000 in qualifying goods. The process takes 5-10 minutes, and you'll save 10% on most items.

At Takashimaya Osaka (near Namba Station), the ground floor tax-free counter processes purchases from any floor, making it convenient to shop throughout the store and claim your refund at the end.

Second Floor: Women's Fashion and Accessories

This floor focuses on contemporary women's clothing and accessories for everyday wear.

Typical sections:

• Contemporary brands: Japanese designers and international labels, with items from ¥15,000-80,000
• Career wear: Office-appropriate clothing, particularly strong during spring (March-April) when new graduates start work
• Shoes: Women's footwear from ¥10,000-50,000
• Handbags: Mid-range to premium bags, ¥20,000-150,000

Sizing note: Japanese sizing runs smaller than Western sizes. A Japanese size 9 roughly equals a UK size 6-8. Most stores in Tokyo and Osaka now stock larger sizes, but selection may be limited above size 11 (UK 10-12).

Third Floor: More Women's Fashion

The third floor continues women's fashion with different style categories.

You'll find:

• Designer collections: Higher-end labels and limited collections
• Formal wear: Occasion dresses, cocktail attire from ¥30,000-200,000
• Imported brands: European and American labels adapted for the Japanese market
• Lingerie and hosiery: Often a dedicated section with Japanese brands known for quality

Mitukoshi in Ginza dedicates significant space on this floor to kimono-inspired contemporary fashion - an interesting hybrid if you want Japanese style in wearable everyday pieces.

Fourth Floor: Children's Goods and Maternity

Family-focused departments occupy this middle floor.

Sections include:

• Children's clothing: Newborn to age 12-14, ¥3,000-15,000 per item
• Toys: Educational toys and popular character goods, ¥1,000-30,000
• School supplies: Particularly busy in March before the April school year
• Maternity wear: Pregnancy and nursing clothing, ¥5,000-25,000
• Baby goods: Prams, car seats, feeding equipment from Japanese brands like Combi and Aprica

Timing tip: Visit on weekday mornings for a quieter experience. Weekends see many families, especially in the toy section.

Fifth Floor: Men's Fashion and Accessories

Men's departments follow a similar pattern to women's fashion but typically occupy one or two floors rather than three.

What's here:

• Business attire: Suits from ¥40,000-250,000 for domestic brands, more for imported labels
• Casual wear: Weekend clothing and sportswear, ¥8,000-40,000
• Shoes: Formal and casual footwear, ¥15,000-60,000
• Accessories: Ties, belts, wallets from ¥3,000-30,000
• Grooming products: Men's skincare and fragrances

Service note: Many stores offer free basic alterations (hemming, sleeve adjustments) when you purchase suits. This service typically takes 3-7 days. At Daimaru Umeda in Osaka, they offer same-day alterations for an additional ¥2,000-3,000 if you need items quickly.

Sixth Floor: Lifestyle, Homewares, and Interior Goods

This floor showcases items for the home, and it's where I always spend longer than planned.

Departments include:

• Kitchenware: Japanese ceramics, knives, cooking utensils from ¥500-50,000
• Tableware: Rice bowls, sake sets, tea ceremony items, ¥1,000-20,000
• Bedding and towels: High-quality linens from Imabari (Ehime Prefecture) and other renowned producers, ¥3,000-30,000
• Interior accessories: Vases, picture frames, decorative items
• Stationery: Japanese paper goods, writing instruments from ¥200-15,000

Shopping tip: The kitchenware section often has demonstration areas where you can see products in use. Takashimaya Times Square in Shinjuku has regular knife-sharpening demonstrations on weekend afternoons.

Seventh Floor: Electronics, Books, and Sporting Goods

Depending on the store, this floor might include:

• Electronics: Small appliances, cameras (though dedicated electronics stores offer better selection)
• Books and stationery: Japanese and English titles at larger stores
• Sporting goods: Exercise equipment, outdoor gear, ¥3,000-100,000
• Traditional crafts: Some stores feature regional artisan products

At Hankyu Umeda in Osaka, the seventh floor includes an excellent book section with English titles and a substantial travel section useful for planning onward journeys.

Eighth Floor and Above: Restaurants, Events, and Services

Top floors serve multiple purposes beyond retail.

Common features:

• Restaurant floors: 8-15 different restaurants offering Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, ¥1,000-3,000 for lunch, ¥2,000-6,000 for dinner
• Event spaces: Temporary exhibitions, craft fairs, seasonal displays
• Cultural centres: Some stores operate cooking schools or craft workshops
• Rooftop gardens: Older stores sometimes have accessible rooftops (though many are closed for safety reasons)

Restaurant strategy: Department store restaurants offer excellent value for lunch sets (typically 11:00 AM-2:00 PM). Most display realistic plastic food models outside, making ordering easy even without Japanese language skills. Arrive before noon to avoid queues, especially at popular tonkatsu and tempura restaurants.

The restaurant floor at Matsuya Ginza (connected to Ginza Station, exit A12) offers particularly good variety with 9 restaurants spanning kaiseki, Italian, Chinese, and casual Japanese options.

Rooftop Level: Open Space and Shrines

Some traditional department stores maintain rooftop areas, though access varies.

You might find:

• Rooftop gardens: Small green spaces, increasingly rare
• Children's play areas: Modest equipment for young children
• Shrines: Tiny Shinto shrines maintained by some stores
• Event spaces: Seasonal markets or displays

Mitsukoshi Ginza and Keio Shinjuku both maintain accessible rooftop spaces, though hours are limited and weather-dependent.

Special Services Throughout the Store

Japanese department stores excel at customer service. Here's what to look for:

Tax-free counters: Usually ground floor or basement level. Bring your passport and keep purchases in sealed bags until you leave Japan.

Package forwarding: Can send purchases to your hotel or airport. Costs ¥500-1,500 depending on size. Next-day delivery within Tokyo/Osaka, 2-3 days to other regions.

Gift wrapping: Complimentary wrapping (包装, hōsō) is standard for purchases over ¥1,000. The precision and beauty of Japanese wrapping transforms even small items into special gifts.

Personal shopping assistance: Larger stores offer English-speaking staff who can help you navigate departments. Book ahead through the store website or enquire at the information desk.

Currency exchange: Basic exchange services available at information counters, though rates are better at dedicated exchange offices.

Timing Your Visit

Department stores typically open 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, with restaurants often staying open until 9:00 or 10:00 PM.

Best times to visit:

• Weekday mornings (10:00 AM-12:00 PM): Quietest shopping time, easiest to get service attention
• Lunch hours (12:00 PM-1:00 PM): Good for the restaurant floor but avoid shopping floors during office workers' breaks
• Evening after 7:00 PM: Depachika discounts appear on same-day prepared foods
• Sale seasons: January (New Year) and July (summer sales) offer 20-50% discounts

Avoid if possible:

• Weekend afternoons (1:00 PM-4:00 PM): Peak crowds
• Golden Week (late April-early May): Exceptionally busy
• Obon (mid-August): Holiday crowds
• Days before major gift-giving seasons (ochūgen in July, oseibo in December): Busiest gift-shopping periods

Major Department Store Locations

In Tokyo:

• Isetan Shinjuku: Connected to Shinjuku-sanchōme Station (Marunouchi/Fukutoshin lines). The men's building is separate, across the street.
• Takashimaya Nihombashi: Nihombashi Station (Ginza/Tozai lines), exit B2. Historic building worth seeing for architecture alone.
• Mitsukoshi Ginza: Ginza Station (multiple lines), exit A7.
• Shibuya Hikarie: Shibuya Station, direct connection. More modern interpretation of the department store concept.

In Osaka:

• Daimaru Shinsaibashi: Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji Line), exit 1.
• Takashimaya Osaka: Namba Station (Midosuji Line), direct connection.
• Hankyu Umeda: Osaka-Umeda Station (Hankyu Line), direct connection. One of Japan's largest department stores by floor space.

Making the Most of Your Department Store Visit

Treat Japanese department stores as cultural experiences, not just shopping destinations. The seasonal displays, the precision of service, and the quality standards represent Japanese retail culture at its finest.

Start at the depachika to get a sense of scale and quality. Even if you're not hungry, the visual presentation alone justifies a visit. Then work your way up floor by floor, or target specific departments if time is limited.

The consistent floor layout means once you've learned the system at one store, you can navigate any major depāto in Japan with confidence. This predictability is one of the format's greatest strengths, making shopping efficient even in unfamiliar cities.

Remember to take advantage of tax-free shopping, and don't hesitate to ask staff for help. Department store employees are trained to assist international visitors, and many wear badges indicating English proficiency. The level of service you'll receive - from the depth of product knowledge to the care in wrapping - represents a shopping experience that's increasingly rare worldwide.