What do you think of department stores in Japan?

looks as if visiting a museum or zoo and big difference that here at Dept Stores the staff out numbers the customers.

I feel that there is always one size fits all from shoes to nuts. I find the staff annoying, loud (I would like to feel that I am NOT at a fish market with all the shouting) I would like to immediately complete my transaction without having to wait for them to come around the counter to "present" me with my purchase......I could go on. What can I say, I'm from New York.

Tooooooo many women's shops, in particular, cloths, nothing else. Wish they had a Brookstone or something else besides cloths.

yeh me too more brookstones and less cloths would make make it much more interesting.....

Great people watching and I've always liked the interesting things offered: food, art, culture, etc.

I think the service is the best in the world. My parents, whenever they visited me, felt so embarrassed when they went to Ginza Mitsukoshi at opening time one morning, and everyone one in the store kept bowing to them as they walked around.

I really like the food halls in the basement. I drop by there at least twice a week to buy dinner to take home.

a department store is a department store.

@brainiac

I really like the food halls in the basement. I drop by there at least twice a week to buy dinner to take home.

I'll give you that, the food court is a sight to behold, but that's about it.

Full of the same stuff- whereever you go, it's the same layout etc...

The sports sections only have boring golf stuff.

The food floors are always full of old women; and are way too noisy.

Expensive prices for things that should be less than half the price they're asking for.

I seldom use them - they cater for a different demographic. I agree that the number of clothes sold in department stores, especially for women, is overwhelming. I'm not a casual shopper, or a person who does it for fun or as a hobby. However, I much prefer the open spaces of the mall or the quaintness of the arcades.

Peoples manners in public are horrible here. Leave your dogs and children at home.

I think the industry in Japan views it that most women like to shop, stay home, go out to eat and the men don't, therefore the focus should be on what women want. But that leaves us men with virtually nothing and Probie said, Expensive prices for things that should be less than half the price they're asking for.

I love Depachika. They feed you better than at Costco.

most women like to shop, stay home, go out to eat and the men don't,

In Osaka, they didn't get the memo. The depatos are full of elderly of both gender.

My parents, whenever they visited me, felt so embarrassed

Lucky. I was waiting mines outside, they'd get out when the store closed. They don't get I never put the feet there if it's not to walk tourists on a rainy day. The concept is definitely designed for baby-boomers.

Expensive prices for things that should be less than half the price they're asking for.

Nothing extraordinary. But you can say the same for kombinis. I agree the quality is nothing special as all the stuff I got (parents couldn't bring their purchases back) has not lasted particularly long.

Expensive prices for things that should be less than half the price they're asking for.

It's called markup, but feel free to continue shopping at uniqlo.

Expensive prices for things that should be less than half the price they're asking for.

It's called markup, but feel free to continue shopping at uniqlo.

Wow, you are so cool, what a hilarious quip! It certainly doesn't make you look like a snob at all.

I got the thumbs down! Wow, I guess it means, I was right. Someone didn't like the truth.

I like the way an eyebrow pencil is carefully wrapped in layers of colored paper, and placed in an elegant little bag, with a mitt full of free samples, dispensed by a pleasant, smiling salesgirl.

I always wonder about the long lines in front of the department stores when opening, something free? Bargain?

I don't like the barrage of "Irashaimase!!!"s in rising nasally, girly / effeminate voices. The music is invariably annoying as well. I dislike most the relentless assault of noise, and the shame of consumerism.

And, everything in daypotto Made in China...

Department stores worldwide pretty much the same concept, so quite similar. Except for the brands they have in clothing sections and kitchenware sections, the food halls and the service. Here 2 and 3 are way cool. sure, waiting 10 minutes for yuior purchase to be fondled and wrappred and all can be a little annoying at times, but still sweet. As for the shouting, happens anywhere shops are in Japan. agree it is annoying and mystifying, but apparently that is what people here like.

The problem is there's nothing in between something like a Mitsukoshi and a supermarket. Japan needs something like a Sears or Macys, where you can get decent stuff that's not outrageously priced. I guess that's the niche Aeon has tried to fill, but it's not quite the same.

I have tried so very hard to like department stores - I even own credit cards to three major stores here in west Japan - but I just can't seem to get it, especially the clothes thing. Nowadays the only time I venture into one is to buy my dinner in the basement food hall. I love the high degree of specialisation, and the extremely expert and efficient weighing and wrapping. I sometimes even go all the way to Kyoto just to buy roasted chestnuts at a depaato there.

I find department stores fantastic in Japan. They are clean. You are not afraid that you are going to get murdered when you go to the restroom. There is something for all your needs. I can have lunch, have my watch serviced, buy ink for my fountain pens, shop for food and drink and have it all delivered, and look at all the cute salesladies. If I could I'd live over an department store. Early morning coffee. Buy a tie for work. Take the elevator to subway to work. Come home and shop for dinner or eat in one of the many restaurants. What shall it be tonight? Chinese, sushi, tempura, Italian, French? And perhaps a night cap before bedtime. Department stores close around 8 p.m. Then no noise.

Remember the department store scene in Modern Times? In Japan department stores are fun. Only they are pricey. But I would not want to live over a Seven Eleven. I lived over a grocery store once--but that is another horror story for another day.

deoa chika is wonderful, come on, go to Isetan in Shinjuku, a foodie's paradise