GESCHICHTE Your Guide to Japanese Department Store Food Floors
Get lost in a maze of savory and sweet gourmet treats at Japan's top department stores
Located in the basement of Japan's top department stores are foodstuff market areas commonly referred to as depachika. Overflowing with everything from delicatessen-style goods to gourmet treats, depachika are typically connected to train stations, making them an ideal spot to visit on rainy days.
Tips
- Avoid the crowds and visit outside of lunch and dinner hours
- Choose a pre-prepared bento lunch box and buy it to go
- Keep an eye out for free samples while walking around the shops
More than a grocery store
Depachika are more than your average grocery store. Here you can find a wide array of high-quality foods both domestic and international as well as high-end wines and spirits. Pick up everything from fresh ingredients to pre-made bento lunch boxes. Head to the basement whether you want to pick up a bottle of Japanese sake to bring home, are in search of a real French baguette, or just want a nice lunch to go.
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
Mitsukoshi's depachika has delicatessen-style items, bento, sweets and alcohol from famous shops. Visit Kayuan — a section that sells a curated selection of sweets from high-end brands nationwide.
Isetan Shinjuku Store
One of the city's most popular depachika, the Isetan basement offers fresh groceries, delicatessen-style items, sweets and alcoholic beverages. This depachika also features a cafe and shop by world-famous chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin.
Daimaru Tokyo
Daimaru's depachika is located next to Tokyo Station, making it the perfect stop before catching the shinkansen or Narita Express. Here you can find a variety of bento for your trip and sweets that make great gifts and mementos.
Matsuya Ginza
For delicious bento boxes, try the Matsuya depachika. Their selection of bento includes kaiseki (traditional Japanese course meal), unagi (eel), tempura, sushi, hors-d'oeuvres and sandwiches.
