About Isetan Shinjuku
Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, opened in 1933, is Isetan’s flagship and main store, and also serves as the headquarters of Mitsukoshi Isetan.
In 2008, it integrated with the long-established department store Mitsukoshi to establish Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. In 2011, Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd. was founded, and Isetan as a corporate entity was dissolved; however, it continues to operate today as “Isetan Shinjuku.” In advertisements and on the website, it is written as “Isetan Shinjuku Main Store,” while in the online store it is written as “Mitsukoshi Isetan.”
Provision of an App for Overseas Customers
Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings Ltd. began operating the app “MITSUKOSHI ISETAN JAPAN” in March 2025, which distributes product and event information tailored to the interests of overseas customers, provides floor maps, offers coupons, and more. Services such as foreign currency exchange machines and overseas shipping counters are also available.
A Department Store Boasting Top-Class Sales in Japan
Located to the northwest of the Shinjuku Sanchome intersection, it consists of the Main Building, the Men’s Building, the Isetan Kaikan, and other facilities. The Main Building is characterized by its Art Deco-style exterior and is registered as a historical building of Tokyo City. The building retains a retro charm, with decorative details applied to every part of the exterior and stained glass set into the stairway leading to the rooftop.
The First Valentine’s Promotion Event Held in Japan
In 1958, in collaboration with Mary Chocolate, it held Japan’s first Valentine’s promotion event. Since 2003, the “Salon du Chocolat” has been held and has attracted great attention as an event where chocolates created by some of the world’s top-class pâtissiers gather.
“Men’s Building” for Fashion-Conscious Men
In addition, in 1968, it planned and began construction of the “New Men’s Annex” (later the Men’s Building), which handles items for men. This was the first attempt of its kind in Asia, undertaken in response to men beginning to take an interest in fashion, and it gained a great reputation, cultivating a new customer base.
Following Isetan’s success, other department stores also opened men’s buildings, bringing a new wave to the department store industry.
Developing a More Open Business Model
Furthermore, while department stores had long followed the practice of providing sales floors to long-standing business partners, Isetan Shinjuku Main Store implemented an initiative called “Kaihōku” (Open Zone) as its own unique standard, in which products selected by buyers for their quality are placed on the sales floor regardless of history or track record.
In this challenging in-house project, Isetan bears all the risk of unsold inventory, and various brands have been introduced by charismatic buyers. Today, under the name “TOKYO Kaihōku,” the area features a diverse range of creators, not limited to young designers.
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