Harajuku: Tokyo's Second Hand and Vintage Scene


2019.03.04

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

Harajuku: Tokyo's Second Hand and Vintage Scene

Harajuku, long considered the mecca of fashion in Tokyo, is one of the city’s most colorful shopping destinations and intertwined with vibrant laneways. Takeshita-dori, Laforlet Harajuku and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku are staples of the area but Harajuku is also home to a vast range of vintage stores that sell everything from rare antiques to eye-catching customized items. Many vintage fans dream of strolling down the laneways of Harajuku one day, especially those who enjoy the hunt as much as the items themselves. Here, we give a rundown of the Harajuku thrift scene, from the oldest stores to the latest boutiques.

  • Harajuku: Tokyo's Second Hand and Vintage Scene

    Harajuku: Tokyo's Second Hand and Vintage Scene

  • 02

    Santa Monica Harajuku

    Santa Monica Harajuku

    Santa Monica Harajuku

    Located on Cat Street (a cozy hideaway where cool kids come to check out the latest trends), Santa Monica Harajuku is a staple when you visit Harajuku. Walking towards Takeshita-dori, you’ll find a shop with plain white walls and aqua blue window frames. This American vintage store carries an ample selection of womenswear, with a good mixture of used items and customized pieces. Don't miss their colorful accessories that go well with their used items. If you like this shop, there's two more Santa Monica branches within walking distance: one in Omotesando and another one in Laforlet Harajuku.

    Santa Monica Harajuku

    Santa Monica Harajuku

    サンタモニカ 原宿店
    place
    東京都渋谷区神宮前4丁目25-5
    phone
    03-5474-1870
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    no image
  • 03

    APOLLO

    APOLLO

    APOLLO

    One exciting aspect of vintage shopping is finding hidden gems. APOLLO is a vintage clothing shop that offers plenty of British vintage pieces and European military items from different eras that will make you wonder if you are really in Tokyo. In addition to British high-fashion brands such as Vivian Westwood and Ben Sherman, all sorts of rare military items (East German jackets, Dutch coats, Italian leather sandals, and Spanish leather bags) are waiting to find a new owner. Some of these items are dead stock, so rummaging through the shop is truly a treasure hunt.

    APOLLO

    APOLLO

    アポロ
    place
    東京都渋谷区神宮前6-12-7
    phone
    03-5467-2957
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  • 04

    KINSELLA

    KINSELLA

    KINSELLA

    KINSELLA is only five minutes’ walk from the Meiji-Jingumae metro station and kind of like a chaotic toy box filled with eye-catching vintage clothing. Those with a taste for quirky, genderless looks will appreciate what they offer, which consists of used and new items from the US and other parts of the world. Their racks and shelves are packed with all sorts of one-of-a-kind clothing that will set you apart from all the other cool kids on the street. Colorful, geometric print pants, college jackets with NBA team patches, retro flower print all-in-ones... you’ll find plenty of inspiration in their eclectic collection.

    KINSELLA
    place
    Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jingu-mae 3-27-13
    phone
    0364474544
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  • 05

    CHICAGO Harajuku Omotesando Store

    CHICAGO Harajuku Omotesando Store

    CHICAGO Harajuku Omotesando Store

    CHICAGO Harajuku Omotesando Store is a must-visit store that every vintage lover would recommend. They take pride in their diverse collection of vintage clothing for men and women, hailing from Japan, the US and Europe. Of the six other CHICAGO stores in Tokyo, this is the oldest branch and opened in 1983. New items are found in store almost every day, so you’ll have a new experience each time you pay a visit. You can easily find basic essentials, such as Levi’s denim, T-shirts, cotton shirts, sweatshirts and retro dresses, as well as kimonos and yukatas at bargain prices.

    CHICAGO Harajuku Omotesando Store

    CHICAGO Harajuku Omotesando Store

    CHICAGO (シカゴ) 表参道店
    place
    東京都渋谷区神宮前6-31-21 オリンピアアネックスビルB1F
    phone
    03-3409-5017
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    no image
  • 06

    FLAMINGO Harajuku

    FLAMINGO Harajuku

    FLAMINGO Harajuku

    Looking for FLAMINGO Harajuku? Don't worry, the mural-sized neon flamingos outside the entrance are graciously waiting and make it impossible to miss. Just like Chicago, this big vintage chain is one of the most reliable and affordable stores around, attracting fashion geeks looking for on-trend pieces. You can find all sorts of used American menswear and womenswear, shoes, accessories and knickknacks from the 1950's onwards. There are also two other stores located nearby: Flamingo Omotesando and Flamingo Harajuku Mabataki. They offer differently curated collections and you can easily hop between the three in a day.

    FLAMINGO Harajuku

    FLAMINGO Harajuku

  • 07

    BUBBLES Harajuku

    BUBBLES Harajuku

    BUBBLES Harajuku

    BUBBLES Harajuku is one of the most iconic stores in the district and a place that all the fashion-conscious kids admire. Previously an American vintage shop, the store reopened as an adorable specialty store in November 2017. As you walk in, you find yourself in a dreamy Instagrammable wonderland where everything is pink and shiny. They stock a wide selection of romantic pieces with a slight touch of goth, such as lacy black dresses and pale pink cardigans with big, lacy white collars.

    BUBBLES Harajuku

    BUBBLES Harajuku

    BUBBLES(バブルス) 原宿店
    place
    東京都渋谷区神宮前4-32-12 1F
    phone
    0357727126
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  • 08

    BerBerJin

    BerBerJin

    BerBerJin

    A veteran of the vintage clothing scene in Harajuku, BerBerJin, next to KINSELLA, has been delighting savvy fashion fans for more than 20 years. They have a wide selection of casual American vintage items and military clothing for men and women, with prices to suit all budgets. What makes this store so special is not only their fine vintage collection but also the legendary shop owner Mr. Fujiwara, a vintage denim geek par excellence. No one can beat his extensive knowledge and passion for vintage denim. He even started a YouTube channel where he talks about rare-find Levi's jeans that would make any fashion fanatic's jaw drop.

    BerBerJin

    BerBerJin

    Affiliated store

    Affiliated store

    LABORATORY/BERBERJINR
    place
    Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jingu-mae 3-21-22 Ito Building 1F
    phone
    0354143190
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  • 09

    Shonen Junk

    Shonen Junk

    Shonen Junk

    Shonen Junk is situated on the north end of Cat Street and is a unique vintage shop and a haven for lovers of quirky vintage garments. There's no shop sign out front but you can look for two stylish mannequins that serve as their landmark and follow the stairs down. In this quasi-modern museum shop, each eye-catching item is carefully laid out to give the impression of a fine art collection. They stock a superb selection of casual American and European vintage. They also have unique, designer brand items from Pierre Cardin, Moschino, and Christian Dior featuring unusual patterns, carefully designed silhouettes and striking colors that you won’t find anywhere else.

    Shonen Junk

    Shonen Junk

  • 10

    MELANGE

    MELANGE

    MELANGE

    For savvy fashionistas who like to mix and match vintage and remade items, MELANGE is the perfect place to head. Stepping into the shop, you’ll see a pile of lingerie and carelessly-hung clothing here and there. This chaotic but chic place probably makes you feel like you just walked into the bedroom of a scatterbrained girl with exquisite taste. Their stunning collection comes from the US and other parts of the world, with unique items that buyer Ms. Ban has laid her eyes on. They also sell quirky re-creations designed by her that will add an edgy accent to your usual style.

    MELANGE

    MELANGE

  • 11

    PASS THE BATON

    PASS THE BATON

    PASS THE BATON

    Located at the end of Omotesando Hills, PASS THE BATON is a one-of-a-kind, luxury secondhand store that takes the notion of recycling to a whole new level. Based on the idea of "passing on things that you truly love to the next owner", their carefully curated items have stories to tell. They stock a wide range of used items, such as vintage clothing, antique furniture and even art. All of these come with a profile of the previous owner and the item's history. They also sell repurposed items from various manufacturers and brands both within and outside of Japan.

    PASS THE BATON

    PASS THE BATON

    PASS THE BATON(パス ザ バトン) 表参道ヒルズ
    place
    東京都渋谷区神宮前4-12-10 表参道ヒルズ 西館B2F
    phone
    03-6447-0707
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  • 12

    DoLuKE

    DoLuKE

    DoLuKE

    DoLuKE is situated on the north of Cat Street and is a top destination for fabulous vintage menswear. The owners have transformed the second floor of an old commercial building into a cozy den that’s filled with cute antiques and authentic clothing. As you walk in, you can definitely feel the love and dedication that they’ve put into the shop. They offer the finest quality items that will make you wonder if they're really second-hand at all. Brands for sale include Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Fred Perry, Mackintosh, Harris Tweed, COMME des GARCONS, and Christian Dior. This is truly a haven for serious vintage shoppers.

  • 13

    MARTE

    MARTE

    MARTE

    MARTE is just a minute’s walk from the Meiji- jingumae metro station but its entrance is tucked away on the second floor of an old white building called Villa Hase. In addition to a range of original items, the store offers carefully handpicked vintage women's clothing that’s sourced from the US, Europe and Asia, dating from the early to late-twentieth century. The concept of the shop is reminiscent of a little boutique in a small European town and their chic collection never goes out of style. Remember to check out their wide range of accessories too, especially if you have a soft spot for colorful earrings.

    MARTE

    MARTE

    ヴィラ・ハセ
    place
    東京都渋谷区神宮前6丁目
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