BicCamera Shinjuku West Store — Attraction in Tokyo

Massage chair section - IMAI MAMORU

Everyone is nice except IMAI MAMORU Terrible staff at BicCamera NishiShinjuku!

This is not the first time he was rude. The first time he refused to let me try the Panasonic Massage Chair. It was on a different day. I let that go. Today, when I asked if I can try the other chair, he said “No, if you’re not going to buy you can’t try” “You came here before already. So many people want to try” There were no people!!

Of course I will try the chair many times before I buy. There are so many options! And of course it’s not my first time in BicCamera! I have a lot of free time! Is that unusual for you?

I have always loved shopping at this particular branch because all the staff I had interacted with before helped me a lot. I even recommended this branch to all my Expat friends, even though we are closer to the Akasaka Branch. All of my appliances came from this branch. And before I bought anything here, I always took my time. It was never a problem. In fact, the staff who helped me with everything were very happy to explain and accommodate me. For example, one of them even gave me free shampoo, conditioner and hair treatment sachets (Dyson airwrap section) even though I wasn’t planning on buying on that day. Before that, I had tried the airwrap many times. I bought it after a few months and after going there to try so many times. I bought all my appliances here and I always felt comfortable shopping.

But Imai was refusing to let me try and was being rude. He even asked me weird questions, “Do you live here?” Do you have a business?” Like do you think I can’t afford that massage chair? LOL

After I called him out for being rude he suddenly said, “I don’t understand English.” He said that after speaking English. Great try...

My visit to BicCamera Shinjuku West Store was part of a small adventure. Earlier that day, I had gone to the G-Shock Ginza store in search of a Casio Lineage Titanium model (LCW-M100TSE-1AER). While they didn’t have it, the staff kindly directed me to BicCamera Yurakucho, where the helpful sales team checked inventory and found one available at the Shinjuku West branch. That set me on the route, and I made the trip across town determined to find it.

When I finally arrived at BicCamera Shinjuku West, I felt the same sense of scale and variety as in the other locations, but this time there was the excitement of knowing exactly what I was after. The store is massive, buzzing with energy, and filled with specialized sections for every kind of shopper. I went straight to the watch department, where once again the staff were polite and efficient. To my relief, they had the Casio Lineage model in stock, and the purchase was smooth and professional.

It might sound like a small thing, but after navigating multiple stores, stations, and neighborhoods, finally holding that titanium watch in my hands felt like a victory. What impressed me most, besides the sheer size of the store, was the consistency of BicCamera staff across locations — always courteous, always willing to go the extra step to make sure you find what you’re looking for.

Tips:

If you’re on a hunt for a specific model, check availability before heading out; staff can confirm stock at other branches.

The store is large, so allow extra time if you plan to browse beyond your target purchase.

Don’t forget your passport for...

Bear with me: On my way back from work down the street, my goal was to pick up a gift for my wife who had a birthday the next day.

I was also in a rush to pick up our baby from the nursery. So I pick find my target gift as quickly as possible as I don't like shopping anyway, and head to the register.

I wanted to just pay and go on my way, and was asked if I wanted to sign up for a Rewards Card. I said my wife has one, so no thanks. The rest of this review is about this lady at the register, and she is a champ.

She talked me into signing up, partly because I'm a bit of a pushover and partly because I felt it would be rude for me to decline the offer. It ended up being a very complicated process, but the lady at the register worked so hard to figure it out relatively quickly. Some complications included the stupid Japanese keyboard on my phone, the way the Bic Camera website wouldn't register certain katakana in the spelling of my name, my phone somehow switching to an even weirder keyboard, and on and on.

Anyway, I don't know how she finally figured everything out how to fill out the online form exactly, but good for her. I would have just given up and been like Ok try to sign up next time but she was on a mission.

Anyway, she was so helpful, so polite, and funny as well. I didn't get her name, but it was on the 5th floor (I think--kitchen supplies?) on September 10th around 3:30 in the afternoon.

Give that woman a raise. The service was above and beyond. And I picked up the baby on time. And my wife...