Shinjuku Department Store Discounts: Guest Cards Compared
Tokyo Mate
Planning to shop in Shinjuku? Isetan switched to an app-based 5% discount in 2025, Takashimaya still issues physical guest cards, and Odakyu offers the only 6% coupon. Here's everything you need to know about the discount systems at Shinjuku's 4 major department stores.
If you're planning a shopping trip to Shinjuku in 2026, the first thing you should prepare is a guest card (tourist discount coupon).
The two biggest department stores — Isetan (ISETAN) and Takashimaya — have completely different discount systems. Isetan switched to an app-based discount (REWARDS) starting last year, while Takashimaya still uses physical cards, which makes things confusing.
This guide covers the latest discount methods, excluded brands, payment requirements, and tax refund fee details for all four major Shinjuku department stores (Isetan, Takashimaya, Keio, and Odakyu) — all based on official policies.
📊 Shinjuku Department Store Discounts at a Glance
| Department Store | Discount | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Isetan | 5% (min. 3,000 yen) | App required |
| Takashimaya | 5% (min. 3,000 yen) | Physical card |
| Keio | 5% (min. 3,000 yen) | Coupon screen |
| Odakyu | 6% (min. 1,000 yen) | Coupon screen |
💡 Wait — don't LUMINE & NEWoMan have guest cards?
Short answer: they don't. These two are shopping malls, not department stores, so they don't offer tourist discount programs.
- Discount: None (LUMINE has 10% sales 4 times a year, but only for local cardholders)
- Tax Free: Varies by individual store or available at a shared tax-free counter
- Shopping tip: There's no discount, but they carry Tokyo's trendiest brands. Scout out trends here, then buy at department stores where the guest card applies — if the brand is available at both!
1️⃣ Isetan (ISETAN): Physical Card Discontinued — App Required
The most important news first. The Isetan Mitsukoshi Group completely discontinued physical guest cards (paper/plastic) as of March 25, 2025.
As of 2026, you cannot get the 5% discount without the official 'MITSUKOSHI ISETAN JAPAN' app.
✅ How to Get the Isetan 5% App Coupon (Same-Day OK)
① Before your trip: Download the 'MITSUKOSHI ISETAN JAPAN' app from your app store
➡️ Download on the App Store 🍎
② Register: Sign up, log in, and register your passport info (do this before you leave home!)
③ Activate at the store: Visit the Main Building 6F Tax-Free Counter → show your passport → activation complete
📌 Tip: If 6F is crowded, the Men's Building 1F or 8F counters are usually much faster!
Discount details:
- Discount: 5% off on purchases of 3,000 yen (before tax) or more
- Validity: 1 year (reduced from 3 years under the old physical card, so take note!)
🙆♀️ Brands eligible for 5% discount
- Celine
- Comme des Garcons: rush-opening is common, but the savings are real
- Baobao
- Yoshida Porter: the Men's Building has good stock
- Vivienne Westwood: Red Label clothing, accessories
- Cosmetics/fragrances: Most 1F beauty counters (Le Labo, Diptyque, etc.)
👉 Policies can change, so always confirm with staff by asking "Guest card OK?" before paying.
🚫 Brands EXCLUDED from 5% discount
- Big 3 luxury: Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel
- Watches/jewelry: Rolex, Cartier, Tiffany, Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Tudor, A. Lange & Sohne
- Fashion/accessories: Berluti, Foxey, Goyard, Chrome Hearts, Leica, Mikimoto, Liverano & Liverano, Saint-Louis
- Others: Graff (perfume only), Gold Salon SGC, Harry Winston, food, restaurants, sale items
2️⃣ Takashimaya Shopper’s Card (Issued On the Spot)
While Isetan uses an app, Shinjuku Takashimaya still issues a physical Takashimaya Shopper's Card. The cute character designs make it a nice travel souvenir too.
✅ How to Get the Takashimaya Shopper’s Card
Big change! Previously, you had to go up to the 11F tax-free counter to get a card. Now, you can get it issued at any brand's checkout counter (Sales Floor) — just show your passport.
- Before: Go to 11F for card → return to the store to pay (waste of time 😫)
- After: Show your passport at the checkout — done! (so much easier 😍)
- Required: Your passport (short-term visitor status)
💡 Note: Card issuance and discount happen at the register, but tax refund still requires visiting the 11F Tax-Free Counter after purchase!
✅ Discount conditions & payment
- Discount: 5% off on purchases of 3,000 yen (before tax) or more
- Payment: Cash, credit card, UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay
🚫 Brands EXCLUDED from 5% discount
- Categories: All watches, jewelry counters
- Brands: Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Rolex, and other luxury brands
※ The fastest way to check is to show the card at the register and ask the staff.
3️⃣ Keio (KEIO): No Card Needed — Just Show the Coupon Screen!
Keio Department Store, directly connected to Shinjuku Station's west exit, requires no card at all. Just show the coupon image (QR/barcode) at checkout for an instant 5% discount.
✅ Keio Coupon Details
- Discount: 5% OFF
- Minimum purchase: 3,000 yen (before tax) per transaction
- Payment: Cash, credit card, UnionPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay
➡️ Get Keio Department Store Discount Coupon on Klook
🚫 Items EXCLUDED from 5% discount
- Food items (including B1F food hall sweets)
- Sale items, restaurant floors, Rolex, Chanel, etc.
👉 Trip Mate Tip: Keio is famous for its food hall, but unfortunately food is excluded from the discount. Use the coupon for handkerchiefs, accessories, and other gift items instead!
4️⃣ Odakyu: The Only 6% Discount (Cash Required!)
The highest discount in Shinjuku! Odakyu Department Store offers a generous 6% — 1% more than everyone else. Note that the main building is currently under renovation, so the store operates from the adjacent Odakyu HALC building.
✅ Odakyu 6% Coupon Details
The discount rate and low minimum are the best, but payment methods are limited — make sure to bring cash.
- Discount: 6% OFF (the highest!) 👍
- Minimum purchase: 1,000 yen (tax included) per transaction
- Payment (🚨 Important!): Cash (JPY), UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay
※ Note: Standard credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are NOT eligible for the discount.
➡️ Get Odakyu Department Store Discount Coupon on Klook
🚫 Items EXCLUDED from 6% discount
- Food, sale items, restaurant floors, etc.
👉 Trip Mate Tip: Pay with cash to get 6% discount + tax refund. This is the best-value shopping combo in Shinjuku for cosmetics and small travel souvenirs!
“Why Not the Full 10%?” — The Truth About the 1.55% Tax Refund Fee
Many people assume they'll get the full 10% consumption tax back. In reality, most Japanese department stores deduct a system fee. Both Isetan and Takashimaya charge 1.55%.
💰 How much do you actually get back? (Fact Check)
After the 1.55% fee, you get back approximately 8.45%. Combined with the 5% guest card discount, you save roughly 13.5% off the retail price.
📝 Price simulation for a 100,000 yen purchase:
- Discount: Guest card 5% applied → pay 95,000 yen
- Tax refund: Visit the tax-free counter → receive ~8.45% back
- Final cost: Approximately 86,500 yen (about 13–14% savings!)
📌 Tax refund requirements (strictly enforced!)
Many shoppers fail at this step despite getting the discount. According to official rules, these 3 names must match exactly:
- Passport
- Purchase receipt
- Credit card used for payment
🚨 Warning: Family cards won't work!
Pay with your spouse's card and claim the refund on your passport? Absolutely not allowed. The card must belong to the passport holder. (Also check that the card has a signature on the back — unsigned cards may be rejected!)
That's the complete rundown of Shinjuku department store discount systems. Save smart with coupons, and put the savings toward an extra plate of sushi! 😉
🛍️ Don Quijote, Bic Camera and other useful travel coupons are also available.
➡️ Japan Travel Discount Coupons: Don Quijote, Bic Camera & Drugstore Deals
📢 Wait — planning to shop in Ginza too?
Ginza requires an app or JCB card, unlike Shinjuku! Make sure to check the latest info before heading out.
➡️ Ginza Shopping Discount Guide: Mitsukoshi App vs Matsuya JCB (2026)
Happy shopping in Tokyo — see you next time with more local insider tips! 🛍️
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