Depachika are the food halls in the basements of Japanese department stores. Rows of counters sell beautiful sweets, bento, salads, fresh bread and gifts. They are one of the best places in Tokyo to see, taste and buy Japanese food, and a great place to pick up a picnic or a gift.
Quick answer
What it is: a department store food hall, usually on the basement floors.
Three easy ones to start with: Isetan Shinjuku (B1), Ginza Mitsukoshi (B2–B3) and Daimaru Tokyo at Tokyo Station (B1, with sweets on 1F).
Hours: these three are open 10:00–20:00.
How to shop: each counter is a separate shop, so you pay where you order. Most food halls have no seating.
What you will find
- Wagashi and Western sweets: Japanese sweets, cakes and cookies, beautifully wrapped. Great as gifts.
- Bento and deli: boxed meals, sushi, tempura and salads, some sold by weight.
- Fresh food: fruit, fish and meat of very high quality, including perfect gift fruit.
- Tea and sake: Japanese tea, sake and snacks.
Three depachika to start with
| Store | Food floors | Hours | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isetan Shinjuku | Main Building B1 | 10:00–20:00 | About 1 minute from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Isetan gate) |
| Ginza Mitsukoshi | B2–B3 (Ginza Food Garden) | 10:00–20:00 | 1 minute from Ginza Station (Ginza 4-chome crossing gate) |
| Daimaru Tokyo | B1, plus sweets on 1F | 10:00–20:00 (B1–11F); closed January 1 and 2 | Right outside the Yaesu North Exit ticket gates of JR Tokyo Station |
Hours are each store’s regular hours; restaurant floors and some shops keep different hours. Daimaru Tokyo is handy for picking up a bento before a Shinkansen ride. Ginza Mitsukoshi is also home to the Art Aquarium Museum GINZA until January 6, 2027.
Other big stations, such as Ikebukuro and Shibuya, also have department stores with food halls. See our Ginza and Tokyo Station guide and Shinjuku guide.
How to shop
- Each counter is a separate shop. Pay at the counter where you order.
- Some counters offer small samples. Taste politely and do not take too many.
- Staff may ask if you want an ice pack for cold food and how long you will be carrying it.
- Gift wrapping is often available. Say it is a gift (purezento desu) if you want it wrapped.
Where to eat what you buy
Most depachika have no seating, and eating in the aisles is not done. Take your food back to your hotel or to a park, or look for a rest area in the store. Some food floors, such as Ginza Mitsukoshi’s Ginza Food Garden, have their own eat-in spaces with separate hours.
Discounts near closing time
Near closing time, some counters mark down bento and fresh food with discount stickers. It depends on the counter and the day, and popular items may already be gone, but it can be a good way to pick up dinner.
Tax-free shopping
Since November 1, 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan works as a refund: you pay the price including tax, and the tax is refunded after a customs check when you leave Japan. Food you eat in Japan cannot be refunded. See our tax-free shopping guide.
FAQ
What is a depachika?
A food hall in the basement of a Japanese department store, selling sweets, bento, salads, bread and gifts.
Which depachika should I visit first?
Isetan Shinjuku, Ginza Mitsukoshi and Daimaru Tokyo at Tokyo Station are easy to reach and open 10:00 to 20:00.
Can I eat inside a depachika?
Most have no seating, and eating in the aisles is not done. Some, like Ginza Mitsukoshi’s Ginza Food Garden, have eat-in spaces.
Can I get food tax-free?
Only if you take it out of Japan. Since November 1, 2026, tax is refunded after a customs check when you leave, and food eaten in Japan cannot be refunded.
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Sources
Store hours, food floors and access come from each department store’s official website (checked November 2, 2026). Hours change for holidays and events, so please check before you go.
