Everything I bought in Japan
Thrift/Vintage recommendations + food, drinks, accom, activities
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Thrifting and vintage shopping is one of my greatest passions. And I especially love to look for secondhand gems when I travel. I recently went to Japan for the first time (we visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya) and I went into every single secondhand store, of basically every variety - from super high end to super cheap - I came across. I’d heard the preloved shopping would be good but I was truly blown away by just how good it actually was. In Tokyo specifically, it felt like every second store was a preloved shop of some kind. I was in HEAVEN and my suitcase was full by the end of our 2.5 week trip.
To sum up just how prevalent vintage is in Japan, I found this quote in a High Snobiety article:
“The concept of vintage Americana has seeped so deeply into Japanese culture, specifically in Tokyo, it's estimated that 70% of vintage clothing worldwide is now held by the Japanese.”
Secondhand goods in Japan are also usually in incredible condition as Japanese culture values a deep respect for possessions. I found this to be very accurate in every store we went. You can also feel a level of safety buying secondhand luxury due to the very strict anti-counterfeit laws in Japan.
Since we got home over two months ago (where has the time gone!!) I thought it was about time I shared what I bought and where I bought it from + all my other shopping recommendations. I’ve also included other general (accom, food, activities etc) Japan recommendations at the end to make this a one stop shop resource!
Also worth remembering to take your passport with you while you’re shopping as most stores offer immediate tax back when you purchase.
If you have questions of some recs you want to share, please share in the comments! As always, it means so much when you leave a comment, like my posts, subscribe and share with friends. <3
What I bought:
Pigsty, Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 5 Chome−25−1 原宿ＭＯＥ Ｂ１
As with so many thrift stores in Japan, this one is full of Americana clothing - think preppy, collegiate, levis, 80s leather jackets etc. I found this old, super oversized J Crew field jacket. It ended up being so helpful on the trip as I wore it to the F1 where it was v cold and rainy the first day.
Kindal, Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−29−3 表参道ビル 3F ローソン上
Kindal is a popular secondhand chain store across Japan and I stumbled upon at least 4-5 during our trip. Their stock is mostly designer and luxury brands, and streetwear/hyped brands. I found and bought this super cool Dries Van Noten jacket. The material is akin to a rain jacket so it’s lightweight. I also loved the length and of course, the bold animal print.
Flamingo, Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−2−9
I found a bunch of Flamingo stores on the trip. I found overlap of stock in each store but it was always worth popping in. This is where I bought my yellow lens sunglasses that I always get questions about. I also bought a pair of beige Levi’s 501’s and a vintage white Ralph Lauren sports jacket.
Okidoki, Japan, 〒151-0063 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Tomigaya, 1 Chome−9−15
I had a day to myself in Tokyo when Angus went on a guided fly fishing tour and without doing any research, I searched on the map for vintage shops a good walk away and 1 hour later, walked into Okidoki. This place has heaps of vintage levis, good cotton basics - as seen below in the two pieces I bought: a white pair of 501s and a long sleeve, thick cotton Long Johns top. I also found a vintage Ferrari tshirt I surprised Angus with for our trip to the Suzuka F1 Grand Prix.
2nd Street, 4 Chome-26-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Another chain that I’d shopped in New York a bunch, has multiple locations in Japan. 2nd Street is a mixed bag of items. You are as likely to find a pair of shoes from Celine (which I did, in my size but didn’t purchase), alongside a crusty jumper from Zara. You have to sift your way through and discover the gems. See my buys (patterned sheer green/cream long sleeve top, blue jacket, yellow bag, red Cardigan) below.
JAM, Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−28−5
I picked up the below three jackets from JAM. This is another chain you can find around Japan - also with lots of American vintage + more.
Ragtag - two locations pictured below: 3 Chome-3-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan + 1 Chome-17-7 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan
I found so many wonderful pieces in Ragtag - including my red Prada silk jacket. I knew as soon as I put that one on it was coming home with me. I even facetimed my mum and texted my best friend from the changeroom and they both confirmed my feelings; that this was a must-have treasure that my wardrobe should be blessed with.
BUT, there were so many other incredible finds that I could have easily splurged on and some of them will haunt me - like only a vintage piece that you didn’t buy - can. Like the above Jil Sander white coat and pink Margiela trench that I did not take home with me.
This leans more high end / luxury but in my experience, things were priced accordingly/not overpriced. In each Ragtag I found, they had a dedicated men’s section, epic leather goods section (with some excellent bags) and high end and fine jewellery - including watches.
Coach, Japan, 〒150-6101 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 2 Chome−24−12
I think this bag was the only non-secondhand item I purchased on the trip! The Coach store on Cat St in Tokyo is absolutely worth a visit. In the store I discovered the Coachtopia range - which you can only get at select stores across the world. I really loved the colour and thought it was perfect for work and travel.
Orange Boutique, Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 26−3, Saint Louis Bld, 1階
On our last night in Tokyo before dinner, we happened upon Orange Boutique in Shibuya. I’d been looking for a Cartier Trinity ring throughout our trip and I’d found a few but either the quality or size weren’t exactly right. But then I found this one! A perfect fit. Meant to be.
Places that were cool but I didn’t buy from:
Beruf, Solakzade, Bookoff, Slow Vintage Shibuya, Shimokitazawa - this area is just street after street of vintage/secondhand shopping.
Other high end/consignment stores in Tokyo to check out - Paradise Vintage, Camellia Vintage, Qoo Vintage, Komeyho, Amore Vintage, Casanova Vintage.
More shopping:
Parco, United Arrows (highly recommend having some food and a drink at UA Bar below the store in Harajuku), Beams (F International Gallery), Deuxieme Classe, Lumine Shinjuku, Omotesando Hills, Seibu Shibuya, Matsuya Department Store, Barneys New York, Onitsuka Tiger (much better price shopping in store here than in Australia).
Other recs:
Tokyo Accom
We stayed at All Day Place in Tokyo. We really liked this location - close to the train station and an easy walk to shops/food/everything. The area also felt quiet and not very congested, despite being so close to the action. The rooms are compact but clean, minimalist and cool. Also in every hotel we stayed at, they supply you with pyjamas and it was the best novelty, we loved it so much!
Other Tokyo accom recs:
Trunk Hotel Shibuya, Aman, K5 Tokyo, Muji Hotel Ginza, Hotel Indigo Shibuya
Not in Tokyo but worth a mention: Asaba Ryokan
Kyoto:
In Kyoto we stayed at The Royal Park hotel.
Activities/things to do:
Tokyo:
Aoyoma Flower Market Tea House, Team Labs, Suzuka Formula 1 - I won’t go into detail here on this but if you’re keen to go, send me a message and I’ll give you my tips!, Tsutaya books - Daikonyama, The National Art Centre Tokyo, Naka Meguro
Kyoto:
Nishiki markets, Geisha district, Philosopher’s Path, Nara Park, Daigo-ji Sanbo-in Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Genko-an Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Food / drinks
Note: If you’re gluten intolerant or celiac (like my husband Angus) - we made this Tiktok with some tips for travelling through Japan.
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Tokyo:
A lot of time was spent perusing and buying goodies from the convenience stores: 7/11, Lawson’s and Family Mart- UGH I miss them so much. Bricolage Bread + Co, Ramen St at Tokyo station, Fuglen Shibuya coffee, Uobei sushi train, Suju dining rokkaku, Rigoletto, Menchirashi, Padlers Coffee, UA Bar, The Matcha Store, Ogawa Coffee Laboratory, Soba Maren, Harrits for Donuts, Shimbu Sakiya Ramen (gluten free ramen and gluten free fried chicken!), About Life Coffee Brewers, Buy Me Stand sandwich shop.
Kyoto:
Hitsuji for Donuts, Kurasu Ebisugawa for Matcha, Tominokoji Tempura Matsui, Totaro for Matcha, Temari Sushi and Nihoncha Souden, Xiu Xiu dumplings, Nishiki Markets, Cave A Cidres, Tagoto, Torikizoku, Pontocho Kushiyoshi.
Beauty
The Head Spa Tokyo, Cosme, Lumine - I bought the below Cle De Peau concealer! It’s very, very good.
Bars
Analogue record bar, The SG Club .
For more tips, make sure you check out these guides from:
Fellow substacker and my friend: Zara Wong
Julia Busuttil Nishimura - https://www.julia-ostro.com/cityguides/tokyo
Hayden Quinn - https://www.haydenquinn.com.au/tokyoguide
A long one but thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed and it helps you on your next trip to Japan. As much as tips and guides like this are great, the beauty of travel is just to go for a walk without a plan and see what you come across!
I really enjoy putting these together so I’ll do the same for my upcoming trip through Europe and New York.
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx
fun finds!! I have a 12 hr layover in Tokyo coming up, any recs for a particular area w a high density of stores with secondhand designer items?
Such a great post thank you!! Will be bookmarking for whenever we manage to finally make it to Japan <3