Seijo Ishii
+ DAIKANYAMA, TOKYO

Hankering for a nice cold bottle of IZZE natural sparkling fruit soda(300 yen)? Or some olivas with feta cheese(730 yen)? How about having both of those things at 3AM? Try the 24 hour Seijo Iishi near Daikanyama station. The perfect spot for that, “stumblin’-out-hungry-but-want-somethin’-classy” feeling after a hard night at Club Air. Seijo Iishi is a long time player in the Tokyo import food business. Their 24 hour Daikanyama location is, in my opinion, their flagship store. I never look forward to shopping at the Tokyu or Marusho, I look forward to shopping at Seijo Iishi, simply because the pace is slow(no deafening 8-bit music) and their selection is great. Cheap deals exist, though they are few and take effort to find. Simply keep the mindset that to import these things, there’s a shipping cost, and that’s being passed on to you, loyal consumer.

Each isle is laden with imported wines, dry goods, spreads and sweets. I particularly enjoy the candy isle with the wide variety of chocolates and, of course, the only chocolate bar in town filled with marzipan. Along with peanut butter candy, marzipan is one of those deserts that simply never took off in Japan. Seijo Ishii sells the Neideregger Stick Marzipan Classic, a long, thin dark chocolate bar filled with marzipan. The only other way to get it in small doses is to buy the “Ritter Sport” variety pack which includes one little marzipan filled chocolate. Unfortunate for marzipan lovers in Tokyo, but something is better than nothing.

Great beer selection for a late night run, many items you won’t find at your local AM/PM like Hoegaarden and Spaten. Sweet bottles of Belle-Vue fruity brews like Kriek and Framboise are also available to surprise your beer hating girlfriend with something more unique and respectable than your imported Miller Lite. Nice wine selection as well, but don’t bother looking for a deal unless you’re still intoxicated from Air and then it won’t matter anymore. Next to the beer section you’ll find the juices and sodas. Classic American lemonade can be had for a price, along with the usual suspects of flavored soda waters.

Seijo Iishi Daikanyama*
hours: 24 hours a day
station: Daikanyama
URL: http://www.seijoishii.co.jp/
map: will post map within a few days of posting article

*please note, there are many other branches of Seijo Iishi throughout the Tokyo area. The most notable being the Seijo Iishi situated near the JR Ebisu terminal in the Atre building. It’s not necessary to post a map for this location, as it’s hours are limited to the Atre’s business hours, and it’s impossible to miss. When exiting JR Ebisu station, arriving from either direction, take the escalator to the East(Higashi) exit and walk left after passing through the gates. You won’t miss it. The Daikanyama branch beats this one with it’s awesome 24 hour service.

(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

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