The Destination for Food Lovers

If you travel for food, you must visit Japan’s department stores. And this is not to shop for clothes, this is the experience the amazing food culture in the “depachika”, Japan’s epicurean food halls located in the basement floors filled with sweets, savories, and even meals to take home to eat and to give as premium gifts.

The best department stores are Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Isetan, and Takashimya. Most cities and districts have one of these major brands. Here are some highlights not to miss when you visit Tokyo’s depachika:

Savory Snacks and Meals in Tokyo’s Depachika

All the foods in the department store food halls are meant for take-away. Purchase whatever makes you drool and your stomach grumble for your train ride or for a complete meal at home (or your hotel room).

Sushi! One of the best options for any meal or snack at any time of the day. You can find this is the grocery/supermarket side of the food hall where there will also be whole and cut fish. These sushi packs go on sale towards to the 8pm closing time
You are not getting low-quality sashimi and sushi at these department stores. Quite the contrary. Look at the marbling of this melt-in-your-mouth tuna belly. It is so good that you will even consider having it for dessert back in your hotel room
Even if you are not hungry, your stomach will grumble on its own with the beautifully delicious variety of food – especially the fried Japanese selections like katsu and this succulent chicken karaage (fried chicken)
If you really just want a snack, or you want to purchase a quality snack as a gift, these Japanese rice crackers are perfect. The packaging makes for a high-quality present for yourself and your loved ones

 

Sweets Treats and Desserts in Tokyo’s Depachika

The depachika is typically divided into 3 areas: supermarket, savory, and sweet. The sweet section is like a real life Willy Wonka Factory setting with the most gorgeous dessert creations that are meant for gifts or for treating yourself.

Mini croissants from Johan Bakery sold in its stand-alone shop, Mini One. The plain and chocolate croissants are must purchases. They are also best eaten on the day of the purchase rather than waiting a day or two later to consume them
You can even find the real-deal, official Cronuts in a depachika – one to be exact, at Mitsukoshi Ginza at the newest location of the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Tokyo selling these famous Cronuts and localized desserts
One of the localized Dominique Ansel desserts is his signature Kouign Amman using local brown sugar for a unique, depth of flavor from the molasses-like sugar crystals. The seasonal desserts encourage fans and food lovers to come back frequently
Another local treat in these food halls are the varieties of Japanese cheesecakes (often called “Rare Cheesecake”). You have your traditional cakes and then these baskets of heavenly fluffy cheesecake filling sold at Daimaru Tokyo

 

Addresses & Hours

Mitsukoshi Ginza
4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
+81-3-3562-1111
10:30am to 8pm

Daimaru Tokyo
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
+81-3-3213-8011
Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 8pm
 
 
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