Don’t let your wife see this: The world’s 6 most women-friendly department stores — one in Taiwan makes the list

In the sweltering heat of summer, department stores become cool destinations for holiday outings and overseas trips, especially for women who want to shop without worrying about their makeup melting. Women’s impressive spending power knows no borders, as they passionately pursue fashion and self-expression. A Chinese retail website has selected the world’s top 5 most women-friendly department stores, with one from Taiwan making the cut — shopaholics, beware of draining your wallet.

The world’s 5 most women-friendly department stores you shouldn’t let your wife see:

1. VenusFort in Tokyo

Located in Tokyo, VenusFort is Japan’s first theme park–style large-scale shopping mall. Opened in 1999, the longstanding mall covers an area of 40,000 square meters and presents itself as a “theme park for ladies” in 18th-century European style. Its largest fountain plaza recreates the images of six goddesses from Roman mythology, making it a popular photo spot. Combined with medieval European streetscapes, mythological statues, the Mouth of Truth, artificial sunlight, and dynamic sky ceiling effects, it offers a romantic and dramatic shopping environment.

2. DE BIJENKORF, the Dutch Queen’s Department Store

DE BIJENKORF, the largest high-end department store in the Netherlands, is located next to the bustling Dam Square in Amsterdam. Opened in 1870, it boasts a long history. In addition to housing a full range of globally renowned fashion brands, its various window displays and interior design galleries are trendy and creative. The entire store also offers Wi-Fi service, and when you’re tired of shopping, you can head to the first-floor café, sit by the window, watch the street crowds, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea.

3. Taipei’s Bellavita Ladies’ Department Store

Inspired by Europe’s fashion capitals, BELLAVITA is a luxury plaza teeming with flagship stores and premium brands. Its European-style architecture features a large, sunlit circular atrium and frequently hosts themed decorations in its plaza — such as a snowy fairy-tale town for Christmas or lush green spaces for a relaxing shopping experience. It’s not only a go-to mall for affluent shoppers but also a popular check-in spot in Taipei’s Xinyi District.

4. Seoul’s Stylenanda Pink Hotel

Beyond being a department store, Korea’s Stylenanda, known for its online clothing brand, created an entire pink shopping space last year. The five-story Myeongdong store combines cutting-edge Korean beauty, fashion, cafés, and photo spots. The rooftop even features a hidden garden oasis that’s sure to ignite anyone’s inner girliness. Since its opening, it’s sparked a new wave of Korean pop culture enthusiasm and become a new shopping landmark in Seoul.

5. Hong Kong’s Hysan Place at Lee Gardens

Located in the heart of Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, Hysan Place stands 17 stories tall and includes a shopping concept floor specially designed for female consumers. The entire floor is decorated with elements like leaves, apples, tree-shaped motifs, and snake-skin-patterned walls, creating a unique shopping space that feels like stepping into the Garden of Eden.