Tokyo offers a multifaceted experience that combines affordability, sustainability, and cultural exploration. In stylish neighbourhoods such as Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shimokitazawa you'll find stores that specialise in curating second hand designer goods.
Here's our top 10 list:
- RAGTAG
Ragtag has multiple locations in Tokyo and an online market shop. They often feature well-known luxury brands alongside vintage pieces, providing a wide range of options for shoppers looking for unique and stylish items. With multiple stores, Ragtag offers a diverse selection of clothing styles, sizes, and price points to cater to different tastes and budgets. Whether you're looking for classic vintage pieces, trendy streetwear, or high-end designer items, Ragtag has something for everyone. The business also has a thorough verification process to ensure authenticity for customers.
- Flamingo
Situated in the Shimokitazawa district, Flamingo is known for its invigorating collection of vintage clothing, ranging from streetwear to high fashion. Stocking a mix of new clothing and American vintage starting at the ’40s and ending at the ’80s. Thanks to its US-based buyer, new stock comes in quickly for both men and women.
- KOMEHYO
KOMEHYO is a well-known chain of second hand stores in Japan, including locations in Tokyo. They offer a wide selection of second hand goods, including clothing, accessories, jewellery, electronics, musical instruments, and more. This variety allows customers to find items that suit their preferences and needs. KOMEHYO is known for its rigorous quality control processes, giving customers confidence in the authenticity and condition of the products they purchase.
- J'Antiques
Located in the upscale Omotesando area, J'Antiques specializes in vintage luxury items, including clothing, handbags, and accessories from renowned fashion houses. J'Antiques in Tokyo has already been touted as one of the best vintage stores around, thought to be inspired by Ralph Lauren.
- Chicago
This vintage store in Koenji is famous for its vast selection of retro clothing, particularly denim, but also kimonos to wedding dresses and many other unique items. Naming it as branch houses the largest amount of vintage clothing.
- Kindal
With locations in Harajuku and Koenji, Kindal offers Japanese streetwear, Americana, and designer pieces. The shop spans of three floors: the ground floor features high-end designer brands such as Marc Jacobs and Chanel. On the second floor, you'll find casual and streetwear, and on the third floor is where designer handbags are featured.
- Don Don Down on Wednesday
This chain of thrift stores, known as "Dondon" for short, is located in Shimokitazawa. It's called Don Don Down on Wednesday because they lower the price every Wednesday. The store's items cost 900 yen which equates to £4.69, making it affordable to consumers.
- Santa Monica
The Harajuku branch of Santa Monica, which also operates five other shops in the city, carries a great selection of womenswear ranging from casual basics to more feminine pieces. According to reviews, customers state, "The overall price range can be described as affordable, with many items going for less than ¥5,000."
- SOU-SOU Kyoto
While not exclusively vintage, SOU-SOU Kyoto offers a unique selection of traditional Japanese clothing and accessories inspired by vintage designs. When researching, I found SOU SOU pieces are sold on the website Etsy, including a lot of jewellery, statement clothing pieces, and tape.
- WEGO Vintage / Retail Store
Finally, WEGO vintage has many branches around Tokyo, and the stock is different in each store. The shop is a hybrid of a retail store and vintage store but still offers reasonable prices, selling affordable new clothes, vintage jackets and 1980s sweaters. A customer in a review said that they found Dr. Martens boots for 50 yen, which is 26 pence in GBP. Dr. Martens boots in the UK usually retail for £200.
Overall, all stores promote the reuse and recycling of goods, contributing to sustainable consumption practices. Second hand shopping at these shops helps reduce waste and minimise the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new products. They offer a wide selection, quality assurance, affordability, unique finds, and convenience for most as they are chain stores.
I think thrift shopping in Tokyo would be a good investment and experience. A consumer would find a lot of pieces which they cannot see in the UK.
References:
‘Chicago Harajuku-Omotesando’. 2020. Time Out Tokyo [online]. Available at:
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/shopping/chicago-harajuku-omotesando [accessed 4 Mar 2024].
‘J’Antiques Store’. 2010. Hypebeast [online]. Available at: https://hypebeast.com/2010/11/jantiques-store [accessed 4 Mar 2024].
‘Thrift Stores: Harajuku & Shimokitazawa’. n.d. Thrift Stores [online]. Available at:
https://soniaeryka.blogspot.com/2014/03/exploring-thrift-stores-harajuku.html [accessed 4 Mar 2024].
‘Tokyo Chuko - Find Vintage and Secondhand Stores in Japan’. 2024. [online]. Available at: https://www.tokyochuko.com [accessed 4 Mar 2024].
Post by Amelia Dunn.