One of the new attractions at the Futako Tamagawa Rise shopping mall, which was completed in May as part of a development project from 1982, Tsutaya Electrics is a unique appliance store.
Founded in 1983 in Osaka, Tsutaya has expanded its business into a nationwide chain of video rental shops and bookstores, establishing a strong position in the entertainment market.
In addition to entertainment contents as part of people's lifestyles, Tsutaya's next project is to address everyday life through electric appliances. However, Tsutaya Electrics is not as crammed full of electric products as many mass retailers are. Instead, carefully selected home electrical goods, as well as books, furniture and greenery are displayed on their sophisticated, spacious and stylish floors. In a word, it's a store that focuses on selling "lifestyles," rather than just electrical goods themselves.
While the first floor focuses on technologies such as mobile phones, photographic equipment and audio devices, the second features more living environment, showcasing home appliances, furniture and plants, which are juxtaposed with books on food, cooking, health, beauty and more.
The Food and Cooking area presents high-quality electric appliances from refrigerators and ovens to rice cookers and hot plates in sophisticated designs. Visitors are able to experience a pleasant dining table with their five senses.
Among the items, a recommendation for a good present is Nescafe Dolce Gusto Jovia Very Version. Created in collaboration between an award-winning coffee maker and a renowned Japanese women's magazine Very, the cute, oval machine enables users to prepare tasty coffee in less than a minute. The machine will surely enhance communication among families and friends.
Besides electric goods, there are also various cooking tools. The Vermicular waterless cooker boasts high-quality made-in-Japan casting technology, which can draw the maximum umami taste from the ingredients, especially vegetables.
For those who want to know more about products, staff experts called "concierges" are ready to support visitors by giving explanations or demonstrations.
Another feature of Tsutaya Electrics is that there are many chairs, desks, sofas and low tables throughout the store. Visitors are welcome to find their favorite place to sit and relax while reading over a cup of coffee from the in-house coffee shop. Enjoying such a comfortable stay may lead them to discover another book or electric appliance that may inspire them to create a new lifestyle.
Tsutaya Electrics is four minutes from Futako-Tamagawa Station on the Tokyu Oimachi and Denentoshi lines; open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (book and coffee shops on the first floor open 7 a.m.) Closed New Year's Day only. For more information, call 03-5491-8550, or visit real.tsite.jp/futakotamagawa/
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