Im Visiting Tokyo soon. Any shop recommendations?

[The Lost Cowboy]

Those are hard to find nice stuff, but you can try Second Street, Ragtag, Bookoff, Kindall and similar chains. They are not bargain basements but 90% of what's inside is either designer, streetwear or modern casual clothes. I have seen the occasional Lost Worlds, Vanson, Schott, etc. but on their online stores. Going into their store is much more of a crapshoot so you'll probably be setting yourself up for disappointment, especially if you have limited time.

If you're after the brands and type of clothes you'd often see on this forum, buying secondhand online on Japanese sites is a better bet.


What I think would be a better bet is to buy Japanese domestic brands at decent prices, combined with the favourable exchange rate.

For denim my favourite is probably Sugar Cane, they are priced reasonably and have good cuts, you can find them in Hinoya with tax free and a bunch of other stores as well. In Harajuku you have a whole bunch of stores like Flat Head, RMC, Tools Infinity (carries a bunch of brands including Toyo, TCB)

If you are interested in footwear, Asakusa is the best place to go, they have Rolling Dub Trio / The Boots Shop, Wheelrobe, Skoob, Brother Bridge.

I suggest making a Google Maps saved list and plan your days out on the area, like in Ebisu you can check out Jelado, Warehouse and Toys McCoy all within walking distance.

Thanks so much for this info. I'll only have three full days in Tokyo so I'll need to plan my time wisely - all these tips are very helpful.

I am looking to make only one or two purchases (unless I find some really good deals) - probably one jacket and a pair of denim trousers is my budget.

What I am really interested in is just familiarizing myself with different makers, materials and patterns. I've never even handled heavy denim, for example, or Shinki leather, or any top leather makers except Lost Worlds.

Thanks for the Sugar Cane reminder - I am also very interested in that brand.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I just got back from a week in Tokyo, it was spectacular. Got to see and handle a lot of the legendary brands everybody on this forum loves.

I can perhaps speak most to vintage shopping as much of my time was spent checking out second-hand and vintage versus new.

Overall, Japanese vintage is priced fairly to extravagantly high, however, I feel that Tokyo may be the best place in the world for vintage shopping (or one of the best). They are absolutely obsessed with vintage there. There are an absurd number of well curated (and not so well curated) vintage shops littered around everywhere. If you’re on the lookout for specific pieces it’s likely you’ll be able to find them at reasonable prices given enough hunting.

Some big areas for second-hand / vintage to check out are Koenji, Kichijoji, and Shimokitazawa (also Harajuku). Each of these areas have rows of curated vintage shops. I’d also recommend checking out any 2nd Street and Mode Off / Hard Off stores you come across as gems can usually be found and these stores are generally lower priced compared to vintage-focused stores.

Vintage Stores focusing on Heritage/Americana/Workwear/Military:

Marvin’s, Harajuku - This place is absolutely incredible, had to mention it. Racks of vintage and deadstock crammed into a very tiny space at very high prices. Still worth going to (it’s across the street from Real McCoy’s). Mountains of Levi’s, wool, and more. I nearly pulled the trigger on an incredible Langlitz Columbia from the 80s here but the fit was too short. Great selection of engineer boots as well for more reasonable prices.

Fake Alpha, Harajuku - in the same vein as Marvin’s. Many grail pieces at high prices but absolutely worth to go if just to window shop.

D Clothing, Koenji - Excellently curated true vintage at high prices, many grail pieces here. Great, though small, selection of vintage jackets and boots. The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable about his wares. Operating hours vary day-by-day, check his IG @dclothingkoenji for updates.

Whistler (Chart), Koenji - Incredible place with a massive vintage shoe collection. Excellent outerwear selection crammed into the upstairs area. There’s a second location located around the corner from the first. Some finds/deals to be found here but expect high prices.

2nd Street, Koenji - This 2nd Street location focuses on men’s vintage Americana / Heritage at mostly reasonable prices! 100% worth going here, I picked up a nice, heavy suede western shirt for $20. Very decent selection of leather jackets here too, I spotted a sz 40 HH Aero Highwayman for $180 I think?

Gasoline, Koenji - moto wear focused vintage. Great vibe, a small leather jacket collection here.

Zool, Koenji - Good selection of vintage. Helpful and talkative staff. Some deals to be found here. Spotted a Tauber’s cowhide pullover sz 40 for $170.

Florida, Shimokitazawa - Nice place, good selection. Mostly good prices. Scored a vintage wool hunting jacket for $30.

Vintage Honorable Mentions:

- SUNTRAP, Koenji
- Slut, Koenji
- Saler’s, Koenji
- Mode Off, Kichijoji
- Flamingo , Shimokitazawa, Harajuku
- Alaska, Shimokitazawa
- BIG TIME, Shimokitazawa, Koenji
- Desert Snow, Shimokitazawa
- Pigsty, Shimokitazawa
- 2nd Street, Harajuku
- ECO Town (cluster of Hard Off, Mode Off, etc. stores), Hachioji

Non-Vintage Store Recommendations:

オーティー・アンド・エモーショナル 吉祥寺店, (OT&Emotional), Kichijoji - Really cool store focusing on repro menswear, lots of denim, good selection of button-ups at reasonable prices.

Iron Heart, Hachioji - What can I say here? This place is about an hour by train + 30 minute walk (or bus ride) from Shibuya. Staff are incredibly helpful and talkative. Worth every minute!!

Trophy Clothing, Shibuya - Trophy Clothing is underrated in the Tokyo heritage menswear scene IMO. Their pricing has not yet creeped to critical levels like some of the bigger Japanese brands and they have excellent stuff. They have a great shop in Harajuku with very friendly and helpful staff.

And so many more of course, but most have already been mentioned.

Amazing write up. Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful. I look forward to updating this thread after my trip.

 

[Destruct]

Amazing write up. Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful. I look forward to updating this thread after my trip.

Absolutely! Hope you enjoy your time in Tokyo

 

[MattieXMoto]

This post needs to be a sticky or something. I will dream of this tonight

 

[Blackadder]

In stead of Fake Alpha, you can visit Berberjin's other shops. Fake Alpha caters to the die hard vintage crowd. Most items are really old like 30-50s collectibles. Berberjin however has a wider selection of denim and sweatshirts etc.
On a side note, I ran into Jason Momoa there early Dec. In fact, saw him at Inazuma Festival then again at Fake Alpha the next day.