Japanese Companies, Takashimaya Shinjuku Night View

Almost 200 years ago, Iida Shinkichi was opening in Kyoto a small store named Takashimaya, specialized in Japanese kimono, formal wear and accessories. At the time, Japan was going through a rough period, but Iida Shinkichi managed to build a successful business through high-quality goods and fair prices. Over 24 years, in 1855, the company had over 20 employees.

After the Meiji Restoration, the range of goods available was expanded to include products imported from USA and the business started to grow fast. A second store was opened in Kyoto in 1893 and 5 years later Takashimaya opened in Osaka.

Today, Takahimaya is one of the biggest Japanese department store chains. One of its best known stores is the one from this picture, located in Shinjuku Times Square, right next to the JR Shinjuku Station:

Travel Tip: Inside the Takashimaya Times Square Annex Building you can find a Kinokuniya Books store, one of my favorite bookstores in Japan. I often visit it, especially for its extensive foreign language books department.