Department Stores
Japan's most prestigious department stores are Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya, followed by the cheaper, more workaday Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, Seibu and Tobu. All these big names have branches throughout Japan, and sell almost everything, from impressive food halls through fashion, crafts and household items, to stationery and toys. One floor is usually devoted to restaurants, and somewhere near the top of the store you'll generally find a section specializing in discount items. Bigger stores may also have an art gallery, travel bureau, ticket agent and a currency-exchange desk, as well as English-speaking staff and a duty-free service. It's also worth looking out for the excellent bargain sales in January, July and August. Thanks to a trend towards discount outlets and bargain-hunting, Japan's department stores have been hit particularly hard by the economic recession. One of the most prominent failures has been Sogo, which was forced to close its landmark Yprakucho store, amongst others, and undergo financial restructuring in the wake of a Y180 billion debt - largely the result of massive overexpansion in the heady 1980s.
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