Scenes from inside Takashimaya, Matsuyama

Expensive stuff

Your choice of Hello Kitty accessories

Eye appeal is marketing genius

Fresh and delicious

Worlds best beef

Japanese Department Stores

A Japanese department store is like a layered cake. The basements are reserved for food vendors and small restaurants/eateries and coffee shops (you need to take a break from shopping). The main floor is women's cosmetics and fashion apparel. Next flight up is for domestic, next flight up is for mens apparel (Japanese mens fashion does change and bears more resemblance to European mens fashsion than American men). Next floor is books and electronics and the top floor is just for sightseeing and restaurants.

Eel is quite popular

More cuteness

Japanese parking is always an experience

The rotating disks are always managed well

Japanese department stores

Always a treat walking through a Japanese department store. They have different specials during different days of the week. There is always a line but the lines move fast, the food is excellent and the price can't be beat.

Takashimaya Department Store

There is a Ferris wheel on top of the building.

Japanese department stores have floor themes. The top floor is reserved for restaurants and the basement is for food. The ground floor is for womens cosmetics. The Japanese do not assault the visitor by spraying them with scents as they walk by.

Takashimaya Department Store

If you like shopping, then a stop at Takashimaya Department store is a must visit. The chain has stores in major locations in Japan, New York, Taipei, Paris and Singapore. Each floor is dedicated for certain lines of goods, such as clothing, housewares, etc. The basement is dedicated to food, both prepared and fresh.

For the well dressed man.

Take home sushi and sashimi. At closing time, the food court becomes very popular and the vendors lower their prices as closing time nears. The closer to closing time, the lower the price. You can find some fantastic bargains this way.


As fresh and delicious as it looks.

Japanese Furniture Stores

Japanese furniture design is smart, attractive but not necessarily comfortable. While appearance is important, styling is what seems to sell. This sofa / love seat would most probably just hold one big gaijin.