In Tokyo, one of the more popular department stores is Marui.
While most people are familiar with the “○I○I” logo, the symbol “O” is not the vowel but the Japanese symbol for “Maru” and the “1” is pronounced “i”, hence the “Marui”.
The first store was founded 1in 1931 by Chuji Aoi, a Japanese businessman. By 1935, the symbol “O” for Marui was established and the logo that exists today would be created in 1973.
The first department store in Shibuya was opened in 1958 and now the stores can be found all over the Kanto region.
Back in the ’90s, the Shinjuku Marui One store was known Marui ZACCA.
In Shibuya alone, there is Marui City Shibuya (fashion for couples), Marui Jam Shibuya (trendy shop for stylish girls), Shinjuku has Shinjuku Marui Honkan (for women), Shinjuku Marui One (original fashion), Shinjuku Marui Annex (for couples, families and men) and Shinjuku Marui Men (men’s fashion specialty store).
And many more stores in various cities such as Yurakucho, Ueno, Namba, Ikebukuro.
All stores open at 11:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. M-Sat. and 11:00 a.m. through 8:30 p.m. on Sundays and Holidays.
For those who live outside of Japan, you can get a tax refund at Shinjuku Marui Men if you purchased more than Y10,501 worth of merchandise and you can get your tax refund a the EPOS Card Center. You need to present your passport (photocopies are not allowed) and a receipt of your purchase.
