Takashimaya: Pioneering the Future of Department Stores through Urban Transformation and Youth Engagement

Founded in the bustling commercial district of Shijo Kawaramachi in Kyoto, Takashimaya started its journey in 1829 as a mere retail shop specializing in textiles and kimono. However, by 1922, it took a pivotal turn into becoming a department store. Fast-forward to 2021, and Takashimaya stands as a retail conglomerate with 17 directly-operated stores and eight subsidiaries in Japan. A symbol of economic vibrancy and local pride, the company even pioneered Japan’s first reinforced concrete three-story building in Kyoto in 1912. Yet, in the era of e-commerce boom, Takashimaya, like many of its peers, is at a critical juncture requiring reinvention.

Recognizing the urgency, the company reopened its Kyoto store this October after a significant revamp. The renovated Kyoto Takashimaya has metamorphosed into a shopping center, featuring the popular Nintendo store and the renowned Tsutaya Bookstore in its new annex, T8. The imposing Mario statue at the Nintendo store entrance symbolizes Takashimaya’s ambitious strategy targeting Kyoto’s younger demographics.

Adjacent to the original Kyoto Takashimaya, T8 consists of a building with seven floors above ground and one below, boasting a total floor area of approximately 13,000 square meters. When combined…