" Isetan Men's Staff Profiles " is a series introducing stylists at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . This time, we feature Kengo Inaba, who joined the team as Men's Attendant in April 2026. In addition to his broad knowledge gained from experience in business, underwear, and casual wear, he is known for his friendly communication style that puts customers at ease even on their first meeting. He creates a relaxed atmosphere, making you feel like you're shopping with a close friend, and guides you to discover new styles while transforming your shopping experience into an enjoyable one.

The streets I walked with my brother became my gateway to fashion.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Inaba says that his older brother, who is five years his senior, played a big role in both his passion for soccer from a young age and his interest in fashion.

"My older brother played soccer, and I thought it was cool, so I followed in his footsteps. When he became interested in fashion, I thought I wanted to be fashionable too."


I used to go shopping with my brother in Harajuku and Koenji, and by the time I was in elementary school, I was picking up brands like Stüssy and A BATHING APE . The joy of choosing clothes was added to my daily life, which had previously been centered around sportswear.

After that, she studied English, transferred to a university, and then enrolled in a business school with the dream of opening her own clothing store. In her shop management classes, she gained experience in everything from purchasing to sales at a store on the school grounds, and even achieved the top sales position. She says that an incident where she showed a customer who was looking for a picture frame a range of colors, and the customer later came back to buy more for her family, was a major turning point that made her realize the joy of customer service.

"Talking with customers, suggesting what they want, and seeing them happy—that was truly enjoyable."

I wanted to test how far my customer service skills could take me. That desire led me to join Isetan.

We welcome first-time customers as if they were our regulars.

Since joining the company, I have gained experience in men's business wear, men's underwear, and men's casual wear. With each change of department, I have broadened my knowledge, from the basics of suits and jackets to the differences in materials and knitting techniques for underwear and socks, and even the overall feel of casual brands.


"I'm glad my first assignment was in charge of business wear. I figured that if I learned here, I wouldn't be embarrassed about my attire in the future. They taught me the basics of men's fashion."

What characterizes Inaba's customer service is the sense of distance he maintains, making even first-time customers feel at ease. He makes an effort to create a comfortable atmosphere for conversation, without being overly formal, even for customers visiting Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building for the first time.

"When I'm serving customers, I hope they feel like they're shopping with a friend. By maintaining a friendly and approachable relationship, I believe they can relax and enjoy their shopping experience."

When making suggestions, Inaba prepares styles that he personally feels would look good on each individual, as well as classic styles that customers can easily choose with confidence. By comparing these two approaches, he searches for a style that truly suits the person.
Even with customers she's meeting for the first time, she creates a friendly atmosphere and engages in natural conversation, often prompting other staff members to ask, "Are you Ms. Inaba's customers?" Creating an environment where customers can enjoy the shopping experience itself is Inaba's style of customer service.

Discover a new you through color with ISAIA 's linen shirts.

For Inaba, a brand that holds a special place in his heart is ISAIA , which is sold on the 5th floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . He says that when he first joined the company, he was captivated by the vibrant colors displayed in the same section.

"I always thought suits were basically navy or gray, so when I first saw purple suits, and saw such vibrant men's clothing, I was shocked."


Among them, the 100% linen shirts are highly recommended. While cotton-linen blends have become more common in recent years, the crisp texture unique to 100% linen and the beautiful, vibrant colors that are characteristic of ISAIA are particularly appealing. They are said to be comfortable even in Japan's humid spring and summer, allowing you to enjoy brightly colored outfits.

"One of the most memorable experiences I've had as a customer was when I suggested ordering ISAIA clothing to a tall, well-built customer. Ready-made clothes had sleeves that weren't long enough, and she was struggling to find the right size. However, judging from the colors and patterns of the clothes she was wearing, I sensed she liked colorful items, so I suggested it. Now, she loves the brand so much that she owns everything from jackets and pants to polo shirts and shirts."


"She looks great in elegant and vibrant colors, so it makes me happy every time I show her around. Seeing her enjoy wearing colorful clothes makes me want to grow older in the same way."

ISAIA is a special brand that combines the joy of colors, which Inaba himself loves, with the new charm of its customers. It symbolizes Inaba's approach to helping people "discover a new self" through clothing.

Make shopping more fun with "THE Inaba"

After five years of hoping for this position, Inaba finally achieved his dream of becoming Men's Attendant in April 2026. Having had many opportunities to guide customers to other floors in the past, his current position, where he can carefully suggest items across the entire building, is a dream come true for Inaba. What he aims for from now on is to provide "THE Inaba" style of attentive service, not by imitating anyone else. He values letting customers get to know him, enjoying conversations with them, and ultimately helping them find that one outfit that makes them think, "Maybe I should try this on too."

"Since you chose me, I just want you to have a good time when you leave. That's all."

With a friendly approach that makes you feel like you're strolling through the store with a close friend, and solid knowledge gained from traversing every department, why not consult with Inaba if you want to discover a new you or make your shopping experience more enjoyable?