Remind me, the next time I travel to Tokyo, I must bring an extra suitcase for the countless treasures that I will find while shopping. My good friend, Stephanie, suggested that I look for a contemporary department store called The Loft. To best describe this store, think of a place if Ikea crashed with Crate & Barrel.

The Loft occupies seven floors where one can purchase anything from postcards to furniture. However, The Loft offers a unique take on merchandise which appeals to the younger, hip crowd. Slick stationery goods like a pair of pocket scissors which can fit into a credit card slot in your wallet will keep you gasping, "How cool!" over and over again.

Japanese cooking utensils (arranged similarly to a US Crate & Barrel) grace the shelves in the housewares section. I found ingenious gadgets that the US had not yet seen, as well as traditional sake box cups and rice paddles.

We found Japanese curtains, or noren, which we could hang in a doorway to provide privacy. Colorful cloth with traditional patterns created drapes and wall hangings.

My quest to find Snoopy/Peanuts items allowed me to explore every corner of this store. I found an inflatable Snoopy neck pillow, perfect for traveling. While Sanrio products and Yugi-oh cards flood all stores, Snoopy items are tougher to find. However, my persistence paid off as I found a Snoopy foam rubber stamp featuring the beloved beagle in a yukata, a traditional Japanese robe.

Strangely enough, Jack Skellington merchandise, while popular as a part of Disney’s repertoire, takes on a new look in Tokyo. The Loft features the Nightmare Before Christmas hero in all sorts of unique products, not available in the USA. Jack Skellington tissue box would make a terrific gift for that Disney enthusiast who has everything.

I could not forget the distinct Loft theme song that blared on portable stereos throughout the store. While it might seem like a good idea to have a department store theme song, keep in mind that after a significant time browsing each floor, the song grates on nerves.

To say that The Loft is one of my favorite stores in Tokyo is to state the obvious. But allow this unique blend of innovation and practicality to influence your own judgment. Just make sure you allow for a lot of time to explore. Start from the top floor and work your way down. But a word of warning, mind how much space you have in your luggage.