Yodobashi Camera

Ever hear a retail jingle based on a battle hymn? Here at Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku, you will. Yodobashi Camera isn’t just another electronics store. It’s a symphony of blinking lights, a cacophony of sales pitches, and a monument to consumerism. Founded in 1960 by Terukazu Fujisawa, Yodobashi Camera started as a humble camera shop. It quickly grew, embracing a “rail-side” strategy. This meant establishing stores near train stations for maximum visibility and convenience. Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku is a prime example of this strategy. This location, near Shinjuku Station, has become a sprawling complex of twelve pavilions. It sells everything from cameras and computers to travel accessories and gashapon toys. The store even has its own catchy jingle, “Yodobashi Camera no Uta,” set to the tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The founder, Terukazu Fujisawa, even penned the lyrics for a version featuring the Yamanote and Chuo train lines. Yodobashi Camera was a pioneer in the world of point cards, introducing Japan’s first barcode-based system in 1989. Originally paper and limited to the CD department, the point card evolved into the plastic Gold Point Card, a precursor to modern electronic point systems. Yodobashi Camera also made waves with its online presence. Launching yodobashi.com in 1998, the company combated “showrooming” by offering free Wi-Fi for price comparisons and emphasizing its superior delivery and customer service. Yodobashi Camera continues to adapt and innovate. This retail giant has transformed from a small camera shop to a multifaceted electronics empire, leaving its mark on Japanese consumer culture.