Isetan Opens at Tokyo Midtown

Minato-ku fashion lovers rejoice: you can now shop all the great brands you love from Isetan and Mitsukoshi, without having to trek to Shinjuku or Ginza. While a full-sized department store in the Roppongi area is probably a bit too much to hope for, the next best thing has arrived in the form of Isetan Salone, a scaled-down version of one of Tokyo's best, most cutting-edge retail meccas.

Isetan Salone occupies roughly 900 square meters of selling space on two floors. It is a very chic, stylish space with a curated product selection to match. There are about 90 brands stocked in the shop, but only the very best styles and items from each have been chosen, meaning it still feels spacious and never over-crowded.

Upstairs is the fashion and beauty floor, with everything from funky, lace-trimmed military jackets by Sacai and floral dresses by Erdem, to heels by Monolo Blahnik and cosmetics by Addiction. The fitting rooms are designed to provide shoppers with a relaxing experience, and as such are spacious and inviting. Outside one fitting room is even a large salon (hence the store’s name), complete with plush carpet and a comfy sofa. It’s the perfect place for waiting partners or friends to chill while you try on new threads and strut your stuff in a mini fashion show.

The lower level has direct access to the street, and therefore is partially laid out as an event space that will have an entirely new theme and product selection every couple of weeks. Also on this floor is a selection of fine jewelry by the likes of Georg Jensen and Damiani, some handbags by Fendi and Valentino, and some beautiful lifestyle and gift items from Japan and elsewhere.

Of course Isetan Salone has nowhere near the vast product selection of its Shinjuku parent, but if you’re looking for some gorgeous pieces in a beautiful, easy-to-browse setting, it’s as good an option as Minato-ku has ever had.

The Deets

Address: 1F and 2F, Tokyo Midtown Galleria, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-6434-7975

Open: Daily, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.