Key Facts
• On January 2, 2026, major department stores started their New Year sales.
• Sogo Yokohama store opened at 9 a.m. with long lines for lucky bags and sale items.
• Sogo & Seibu delayed opening to January 2 for all stores, ending some January 1 operations.
• Since 2013, Sogo & Seibu had operated all stores on January 1 but began partial closures last year.
• Mitsukoshi Isetan Holdings started sales on January 2.
• Takashimaya and Daimaru Matsuzakaya remain closed January 1 and 2, reopening January 3.
• Matsuya Ginza also begins sales on January 3.
• A male customer in his 50s cited rising prices as motivation to buy lucky bags for savings.
Summary
The 2026 New Year sales season began on January 2 at major Japanese department stores, reflecting a growing trend to improve employee working conditions by closing stores on January 1. Sogo Yokohama attracted eager shoppers lining up before the 9 a.m. opening, especially for lucky bags. Sogo & Seibu, which had fully opened on January 1 since 2013, shifted to starting sales on January 2 across all locations this year. Other leading retailers like Mitsukoshi Isetan also opened on January 2, while Takashimaya, Daimaru Matsuzakaya, and Matsuya Ginza continue to close on January 1 and 2, reopening on January 3. This shift marks a significant change in the traditional New Year sales calendar, balancing commercial opportunity with staff welfare amid economic pressures.
