About Isetan Mitsukoshi Group
We are Isetan Mitsukoshi of Japan, an international department store group. The company had its humble beginnings from small kimono shops. Mitsukoshi's first store was founded in 1673, and Isetan was in 1886. Today, our Isetan Mitsukoshi department stores in Japan receive more than 200 million annual store visits, which is more than even the total population of Japan (127 million). We have more than 50 stores in countries all over the world. Based in Tokyo, Isetan has branches throughout cities as Kyoto, Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur. All of our stores uphold our notion of hospitality, the importance of each moment we share with our customers, and perfection in the finest of details. At Isetan Mitsukoshi, you can discover the spirit of Japanese culture and the creation of the Japanese way of life. Welcome to Isetan Mitsukoshi, welcome to Japan.
The Heritage and Development of the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group
Edo
Era
1673
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Mitsukoshi
Our founder Takatoshi Mitsui opened a kimono fabrics store called "Echigoya" in the first district of Edo Honcho (present day Tokyo), and introduced revolutionary business concepts such as "selling by cash-sale at fixed prices" and "selling by demand".
1683
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Mitsukoshi
The first to put forward the business philosophy of "selling by cash-sale at fixed prices", which is extremely common in today's society. Allowing kimonos that were once only for the wealthy to spread throughout society to people.
1704
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Iwataya
Iwataya's predecessor was the medicine shop "Tatamiya," founded by the Nakamuta family ancestor Koemon Kawano in Daikumachi, Fukuoka.
Meiji
Era
1872
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Marui-Imai
The founder of Marui-Imai, Toshichi Imai, opened a sundries store at the bridge of the Sosei River.
1886
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Isetan
The Iseya Tanji Kimono Store was founded in Hatagocho, Kanda.
1904
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Mitsukoshi
Department Store Declaration
The kimono fabric store Mitsukoshi began to increase the variety of products they sold, and declared themselves as a department store to the outside world in a new way.
Taisho
Era
1914
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Mitsukoshi
The new Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store had bronze lion statues at its entrance, elevators and Japan's first escalator are installed in the store.
1916
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Marui Imai
The Imai Department Store opens.
Showa
Era
1930
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Mitsukoshi
Ginza Mitsukoshi opens.
1932
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Mitsukoshi
The "Mitsukoshimae" subway station is built, it connects directly to the basement shopping area of the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store.
1933
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Isetan
The Isetan Shinjuku Main Store opens
1936
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Iwataya
Kyushu's first department store connected to a subway station opens in Tenjin.
1972
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Isetan
The first Singapore branch is opened.
There are six branches in Singapore as of 2019.
1975
-
Mitsukoshi
The first Mitsukoshi branch in Italy is opened in Rome.
Heisei
Era
1990
-
Isetan
The first Malaysian branch is opened.
There are four branches in Malaysia as of 2019.
1991
-
Mitsukoshi
The first Shin Kong Mitsukoshi is opened in Taipei.
1992
-
Isetan
Bangkok Isetan opens its first branch in Thailand.
1993
-
Isetan
The first Chinese branch opens.
There are four branches in China as of 2019.
