Going to Ikebukuro~Visit the largest department store in Tokyo, and tax refund without handling fee!

Ikebukuro Station, as the second busiest station in Tokyo after Shinjuku Station, has extensive railway connections and numerous department stores, making it a popular destination for Japanese young people and independent travelers. Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro is directly connected to the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, making transportation very convenient. Even on rainy days, you don't have to worry about getting wet, as the basement floor is directly connected to the station exit. Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro is also the largest department store in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

**Before you start shopping, you can go to the tax-free counter on the second floor and present your passport to receive a 7-day valid 5% discount coupon. After finishing all your purchases, you can handle the tax refund here, and Tobu Department Store does not charge a tax refund handling fee! So buying bags, jewelry, watches, and other high-priced items at Tobu Department Store is very cost-effective!!

Nowadays, Ikebukuro is not just a haven for anime fans; the area has become increasingly artistic. There are not only the renovated and artistic "We Road" underground passage, the open-air theater "GLOBAL RING THEATRE," and "Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre" and other cultural facilities, but also the Art Gallery on the 6th floor of Tobu Department Store, the largest department store in the Ikebukuro area, which regularly holds various art exhibitions. You don't have to worry about packaging issues either; the staff wraps items very securely, so even if you check them in, there's no need to worry about damage.

When I went to see an exhibition with my best friend, we happened to catch the solo exhibitions of two Japanese female painters. Miho Kaneko, born in Saitama Prefecture, is skilled at using dreamy, vibrant colors to depict designer animals and flowers. Each whimsical piece is very healing. In the art gallery, professional staff will explain the artist's creative background and the meaning of the artworks to guests in detail.

Artist Setsuko Suzuki, known for her vivid color tones and sensitive abstract landscapes depicted from a delicate female perspective, also had many works on display. She incorporates her rich imagination into everyday scenes, flowers, and still life with meticulous brushwork, and each piece feels like being transported into a richer dream world.

The art gallery holds carefully curated exhibitions every week, showcasing the works of many talented artists. Whether it's emerging young artists or renowned masters whose works are collected in museums, they are presented with care. The exhibitions are diverse and will surely bring a feast for the eyes and soul.

The home goods area on the same floor as the art gallery is a section I've enjoyed browsing in recent years. For example, Edo Kiriko glassware, lacquer plates, ceramics from Arita and Kutani, and some high-end Japanese kitchen knives. Even if you're not traveling, staying at home should have a sense of ceremony in life.

The material of UCHINO pajamas is very comfortable. I highly recommend them to friends with sensitive skin like me. They feel really great on the body. You can use the 5% discount coupon, and after the discount, you can also get tax-free treatment. With the favorable exchange rate, the final price is really cost-effective.

Nishikawa is a long-established bedding brand with a good reputation in Japan. The bedding consultants at the counter help customers choose the most suitable pillow based on measurements, the appropriate height, material, and fit.

The watch area on the 6th floor will host the Tobu World Watch Expo from August 22 to 28. New models for 2024 and limited editions will also make exciting appearances. The trend of understated luxury in major watch brands is significant. Classic designs are making a comeback, incorporating value-retaining gold. Innovations in watch materials continue, with polished ceramic materials and new watches with matte finishes being introduced. Thirty-nine well-known domestic and international watch brands gather together.

In Japan, Citizen, Casio, and Seiko are known as the three giants of affordable watches. Seiko has many classic watch series. It is technologically advanced, exquisitely designed, and combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Seiko watches are not only highly accurate but also affordably priced, making them an ideal choice for those seeking high cost-performance.

Seiko's women's watches, such as the small-dial starry sky mother-of-pearl and solar quartz models, are very elegant and suitable for office ladies commuting to work.

This year, Casio celebrates its 50th anniversary in the watch industry and has launched many anniversary editions. The new watches maintain excellent durability while incorporating fashion and functionality, suitable for both daily casual wear and business occasions.

Citizen, known for its Eco-Drive watches, also offers great value. Super Titanium watches all use Eco-Drive movements, and the cases and bands are treated with original ion-plating technology, providing unprecedented lightness and wear resistance. Citizen has strong R&D capabilities, having not only developed Eco-Drive in-house but also its own movements. Tobu Department Store has sales staff who speak Chinese, so communication is no problem. Even without doing prior research, you can find a style that suits you.

In recent years, high-quality Japanese seawater pearls have surged in popularity in China and are widely loved by tourists visiting Japan. Whether for personal use or as gifts, Japanese pearl jewelry with simple, elegant designs is a good choice. On the 6th floor, the pearl counter offers various pearl accessories made from pearls carefully selected by Tobu. Their cost-performance is much higher than some branded pearls.

The art of Japanese bonsai originated from China's Six Dynasties period and was brought to Japan by Japanese envoys during the Tang Dynasty, where it is called "Bonsai." After Japan fully absorbed the art forms of bonsai and penjing from China's Southern Song Dynasty during the late Heian to early Kamakura periods, it gradually integrated with Japan's local customs and evolved through the Muromachi, Edo, and Meiji periods into the unique Japanese bonsai art of today.

In recent years, there have been more and more bonsai enthusiasts in China. When they go to Tokyo, they often buy bonsai containers and tools. If you travel to Tokyo, consider visiting Seikouen on the 8th floor of Tobu Department Store. You can not only buy Japanese bonsai containers like Tokoname ware and high-quality pruning scissors made in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, but also experience bonsai classes.

On the B1 food floor of Tobu Department Store, you can buy many unique souvenirs. It's also a floor I really enjoy browsing. There are various fresh cakes and sweets. Many Japanese people line up before the store opens to buy them. They are very popular!

Kyukaen from Okayama is a confectionery shop specializing in Japanese sweets. It has a very diverse range of products and has opened specialty stores in many overseas locations.

Many people first know Kyukaen from the famous "Shimizu Hakuto" (Clear White Peach), which was the original internet-famous product.

"Riku no Houshu" is a fruit confectionery that allows you to better enjoy the original flavor of Muscat grapes. It has now become Kyukaen's most popular representative sweet. This sweet uses Muscat grapes from Okayama Prefecture. The slightly sour and fragrant Muscat grapes, with a soft texture and a coating of sugar, are very refreshing in summer.

This floor also has many beautiful and delicious gift boxes of sweets. I always buy a few boxes to take home. Even at home, I can have a nice afternoon tea, haha...

The B1 floor also has a dedicated area for Japanese sake, shochu, and Western liquors. The selection of Japanese sake, shochu, and whisky is very complete, categorized by Japanese region, with many choices.

Finally, after shopping, you can go to the restaurant floor to eat. Tobu Department Store has many restaurants, with over forty options. I've already eaten at five or six restaurants with friends before. This time, I chose Sushi-dokoro Ginza Fukusuke for sushi. The seasonal chef's selection set not only has fresh ingredients but also a wide variety. I recommend it to all sushi lovers!