Aoyama square 

Aoyama

Aoyama Square in Tokyo is celebrated for showcasing Japan's finest traditional crafts. This unique store sells a vast array of top-quality crafts from across Japan, including woodblock prints, lacquerware, ceramics, textiles, and more, with items rotating regularly to feature new crafts. It offers a comprehensive introduction to both traditional and contemporary Japanese design.

Kiya

Nihonbashi

Kiya Nihonbashi, established in 1792, is renowned for its high-quality, artisan-made knives and other kitchen and lifestyle goods. It offers a wide array of "Hagane" knives known for their impressive sharpness. Kiya's offerings include a range of knives suitable for various culinary tasks, from traditional Japanese knives with Suminagashi patterns to more general household knives designed for ease of use and sharpening. 

HULS Gallery Tokyo

Akasaka

HULS Gallery Tokyo, located in Akasaka, is a curator and showcase for fine crafts from across Japan, emphasizing the country's unique appreciation of beauty through traditional techniques. It focuses on contemporary crafts by young artists who honor traditional methods while adapting to modern needs, ensuring their art resonates with today's audience. 

Berberjin 

Harajuku

BerBerJin, a highly famous vintage store in Harajuku, Tokyo, is especially renowned for having one of the richest vintage denim collections in the city. Located in the store's basement, this collection is a highlight for denim enthusiasts. It features an extensive assortment of Levi's items, including jeans and rare denim jackets carefully categorized by their era. This impressive denim collection, combined with BerBerJin's vast array of casual wear, sneakers, and designer items, solidifies its status as a premier destination for vintage fashion, particularly for those with a keen interest in the history and variety of denim.

Safari

Koenji

Safari Koenji is a renowned vintage clothing store in Tokyo, highly regarded for its exceptional selection of high-end vintage pieces. Safari's offerings span pristine vintage clothing dating back to the 1930s, including an extensive range of vintage denim like Levi's jeans and jackets, as well as classic American brands such as Champion. The store also features an impressive array of footwear, including vintage Chuck Taylors and Nike. In addition to Safari Store #1, there are three other Safari stores in Koenji, each with its specific theme and specialty. These include stores dedicated to Ralph Lauren, import select clothing, and outdoor clothing. 

Replay

Koenji

Replay is a second-hand clothing store in Koenji, Tokyo, situated about a four-minute walk from Koenji Station. Very reasonable compared to the last two stores. The shop specializes in street style, particularly featuring rock t-shirts and skater fashion. It's a popular destination for second-hand clothing enthusiasts, especially those with an interest in street and skater styles. Jerry Lorenzo, the designer of Fear of God, is known to visit this store. Additionally, Koenji is renowned for its vintage stores, offering an abundance of such shops to explore.

Jantiques 

Nakameguro

J'antiques, located in the Nakameguro shotengai (shopping street) in Tokyo, is a vintage store established in 2005 by Hitoshi Uchida. It specializes in chic American clothing and furniture. The store's collection primarily includes menswear and womenswear from the 20th century, along with interior items such as antique accessories, furniture, and tableware dating from the 1950s to as early as the 1800s. Additionally, they offer vintage fabrics and buttons. The store is divided into three sections: secondhand and accessories, vintage menswear, and vintage womenswear, with the clothing sections occupying two grand rooms. J'antiques is reputed for the quality of its stock, attracting big names from the fashion industry

arms clothing store

Yutenji/Aoyama

Arms Clothing Store, located in Yutenji, Tokyo, is a popular destination for vintage clothing enthusiasts. Situated on the second floor of its building, this store caters predominantly to men. It boasts a diverse array of second-hand clothes, primarily from the 80s and 90s, alongside a significant collection of vintage items. The store's inventory includes high-quality military, work, denim, sports, outdoor, and casual wear. Renowned for its top-class selection in the Yutenji area, Arms Clothing Store is also noted for its range of standard second-hand clothing brands. 

velvet

Shimokitazawa

Velvet, a clothing store in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, has been specializing in selected new and vintage clothing for men since 2015. The store uniquely blends new and vintage clothing, challenging the stereotype of separating these styles. Emphasizing the intrinsic value of clothing, Velvet's philosophy revolves around the belief that beautiful clothing transcends categorization. Their collection is a reflection of this ethos, aiming to define 'cool' for its clientele and enhance their sophistication. Velvet's approach to fashion is not just about selling clothes; it's about expressing and suggesting a unique lifestyle and perspective through their curated selection​.

Recouture

Currently online only

Recouture is an atelier renowned for its custom shoe creations, especially sole-swapped sneakers. Operated by Shun Hirose, a cobbler with over a decade of experience, the store's theme is "RECONSTRUCTION." Hirose specializes in repairing and customizing shoes to enhance their utility and comfort. Hirose's expertise allows for a wide range of customizations. There are also products that are already made, so you can bring back home. ​Contact us if you are interested.

bona capello

Shinsen

Bona Capello, a hat store in Tokyo, is the brainchild of Thom, a craftsman with a deep-rooted passion for working with his hands and a love for vintage textiles and patterns. Inspired by various global influences, Thom has honed his skills in bespoke hat-making, incorporating traditional techniques and antique tools. Thom has catered to both Japanese and international clients like Erykah Badu offering unique, highly detailed headwear that emphasizes the harmony of style and quality. 

Goro's

Omotesando

Goro's, a revered jewelry store in Tokyo, is known for its highly exclusive and handcrafted products, making it a favorite among celebrities like Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and the list goes on. It involves participating in a lottery system due to the high demand and limited inventory. I have to say it is extremely challenging to get in as there is no trick for their entrance pass. However, Goro Takahashi's Native American-inspired designs is one of a kind.

HAkusan

Harajuku/Ueno

Hakusan eyewear, known as Hakusan-Megane, is a renowned Japanese eyewear brand that has been setting standards in quality and design since its inception in 1883​​. The brand gained significant recognition for its connection with John Lennon, the iconic member of The Beatles. Lennon's favorite eyewear from Hakusan, particularly the Mayfair model, has become an iconic part of the brand's history. This particular model was first linked to Lennon in 1979 when he came across a pair displayed in a boutique in Harajuku, Tokyo.

Globe specs

Shibuya/Daikanyama

Globe Specs offers an amazing selection of eyewear from all over the world, including not only Japanese brands but also those from the US, Europe, and vintage collections. The brand is also distinguished by its collaborations with other designers, such as Old Joe, creating diverse and innovative eyewear styles. Known for its craftsmanship and variety of options, Globe Specs is a symbol of style and quality among eyewear connoisseurs. With such a wide variety, you are likely to find something that really suits you.

Solakzade

Omotesando

Solakzade is a unique eyewear shop located in the heart of Harajuku on Omotesando Avenue, Tokyo. It's renowned for its extensive collection of unused vintage and antique frames, with over 10,000 pairs of deadstock vintage eyewear ranging from the 1800s to the 1990s. This dedication to quality and uniqueness has set Solakzade apart from typical eyewear shops​. This place has many celebrity clients, one of whom is Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Hyst

Bakuroyokoyama

HYST, a popular vintage store in Tokyo, is known for its unique collection of items that changes weekly and its surprisingly low prices. The store's concept, "a shop no one wants to be known," is embodied in its name, an adaptation of the word "HIST," implying "quiet." HYST also carries historical significance, reflected in its collection of items from decommissioned public facilities, inns, hospitals, and traditional houses.

HYST only opens once a week, specifically on Saturdays. So careful.

Point No 38

Meguro

POINT No. 38 is a vintage shop located in Tokyo, known for its original lamps and antiques. It opened in 2012 as a sister store to POINT No. 39. This shop specializes in various types of lighting fixtures and store display decorations. Their collection includes over 100 different types and designs of lighting at any given time, featuring items like chandeliers, pendant lights, and wall-hanging types. Meguro is a mecca for furniture and lighting, so there are many interesting stores of this kind around Point No. 38.

Sounds good

Shimokitazawa

Sounds Good" is an antique shop located in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, offering a unique experience of "pop healing" through its collection of antiques and goods. Specializing in American advertising characters, the store presents a lively atmosphere filled with various items like character figures, bags, packaging, and T-shirts. Popular characters featured in the store include Snoopy and M&M's, among others. The store's ambiance reflects the vibrant and subcultural spirit of Shimokitazawa, with a retro-style exterior and an entrance decorated with aloha shirts.

Junky special

Shinjuku

Junky Special, situated in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is renowned for its eclectic and vibrant clothing selection. Uniquely located directly beneath the train tracks, it features a range of Japanese denim brands, including Buzz Rickson's and Sugar Cane. The store offers a fun and engaging atmosphere, filled with colorful clothing and extensive racks of denim, making it a standout shopping destination. Additionally, its location in Kabukicho, a popular area you're likely to visit during your stay, makes it a convenient stop.

Hinoya

Ueno

Hinoya in Ueno, Tokyo, is a renowned destination for high-quality denim enthusiasts. Located in the bustling shopping streets of Ameyoko, which run beneath the train tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi stations, Hinoya offers a diverse selection of denim. Inside, shoppers can find a range of major Japanese and international denim brands, including Momotaro, Big John, Oni Denim, Yen Jeans, and Burgus Plus. At least ten brands are stocked at any given time, with two sister stores next door offering even more options.

Kapital

Ebisu

Kapital in Ebisu, Tokyo, is a highly regarded boutique denim brand known for its unique designs and expert craftsmanship. Founded in 1984 in Okayama prefecture's Kojima, the birthplace of Japanese jeans, Kapital has been a family-run business that emphasizes the exclusive use of manual processes. This includes everything from thread dyeing and material production to sewing, washes, and decoration, all developed and produced in-house. Their distinctive designs and careful finishes have gained international recognition.

Nepenthes

Omotesando

Notably, most of Needles' clothing is crafted in Japan, maintaining a high level of authenticity and quality. The brand also features sub-labels like Needles Sportswear, known for its popular tracksuits, and Needles Rebuild, which focuses on upcycling vintage garments and surplus fabrics into new, deconstructed piecesThe Needles track pants have indeed become quite popular, especially among celebrities like A$AP Rocky, who has been seen sporting them in multiple colorways. This popularity can be attributed to Needles' collaboration with A$AP Rocky's AWGE creative team, which further boosted the brand's prominence in the fashion world​​​​.

Visvim

Omotesando/Nakameguro

Visvim, a high-end Japanese fashion brand founded in 2002 by Hiroki Nakamura, is celebrated for its unique blend of American and Japanese styles, infusing Americana with traditional Japanese aesthetics. The brand showcases a range of denim trucker jackets, jeans, short sleeve button-up shirts, military jackets with a contemporary twist, and a variety of graphic T-shirts and leopard print items, highlighting the brand's dedication to innovation and fashion-forward thinking. Visvim's popularity surged as artists like Kanye West and John Mayer frequently sported its designs. By the way, you can get coffee in their beautiful stores, yes they have cafe sections.

Okura

Daikanyama

 Okura, a distinctive fashion store in the chic neighborhood of Daikanyama, Tokyo, offers a unique shopping experience that stands apart from mainstream stores.  The brand is renowned for its use of natural indigo dye, employing ancient Japanese dyeing methods, and is influenced by traditional Japanese tailoring techniques and designs. The store's offerings include a diverse range of items such as t-shirts, jeans, jackets, sweaters, scarves, and even traditional Japanese gifts. Okura's setting in a rural building with wooden floorboards and entrance curtains adds to its charm, reflecting Japan's rich heritage.

Hyper guitars

Shinokubo

Hyper Guitars in Shin-Okubo, Japan, is renowned for being a top-notch vintage guitar store, acclaimed by a reviewer as the best in Japan, and possibly globally. The store showcases a variety of vintage guitars, including rare 1950s Telecasters and pre-CBS custom color Stratocasters. It also features a selection of Les Pauls, Gretsches, and many other. The shop offers a soundproof room for trying out guitars, equipped with vintage Marshall heads and original tweed Fenders. In the vicinity of Hyper Guitars, you'll find other great stores, like TCGAKKI.

NicoNico guitars

Shibuya

NicoNico Guitars, situated near Shibuya Station in Tokyo, Japan, has been a staple for over 25 years, offering a varied array of guitars, including new, used, rare, and vintage models. The shop's extensive showroom and detailed website make finding the perfect guitar easier. So take a look at their website before you go. NicoNico is celebrated for its broad range, featuring popular Japanese guitar brands and vintage American classics. Nearby, there's also the first Fender flagship store in the world, worth visiting for custom shop Fender guitars.

Ochanomizu area

Ochanomizu