Takashimaya Duty Free Shop, Tokyo’s latest downtown duty-free store, will open late next month.

The 2800 sqm retail outlet is a JV between department store company Takashimaya, travel retailer ANA Trading and Hotel Shilla. It will be on the 11th floor of the new Takashimaya Times Square development, in the Shinjuku area.

Other major downtown duty-free projects scheduled to open in Tokyo include Japan Duty Free Ginza and Lotte Duty Free Tokyo Ginza.

Takashimaya Duty Free Shop is directly connected to Shinjuku Station and to Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, allowing easy access to Tokyo’s airports.

A spokesperson for The Shilla Duty Free says Japanese cosmetics will be a key focus of the store. There will also be a tax-free zone for Japanese brands including cosmetics, food/confectionery, souvenirs, fashion and electronics.

Goods bought at downtown duty-free stores must be collected at Narita or Haneda airport, while tax-free Japanese-made items can be collected in the stores.
Chinese group tours will be a target audience, with Takashimaya Duty Free establishing infrastructure such as bus parking spaces, and developing offers to appeal to such visitors.

A&S Takashimaya Duty Free Company was established last June, with Takashimaya holding a 60 per cent stake, with ANA Trading and Shilla each holding 20 per cent.

Takashimaya Times Square includes a Takashimaya department store, brands like Nitori, Tokyo Hands and Uniqlo, as well as restaurants and a spa avenue.