Best Stores In Tokyo For Thrift And Vintage Shopping
From perfectly broken-in jeans to the archival fashion piece of your dreams, find them at these Tokyo thrift and/or vintage stores.
By Rachel Tan,
In vibrant Tokyo, where the spirit of mottainai (waste not, want not) reigns, thrift stores are the hunting grounds of both the frugal and the fashionable. From small, impeccably curated vintage shops to larger second-hand chains, treasures await. Here, we’ve assembled some of our favourites, spread across three of the city’s best shopping districts for thrifting: Shimokitazawa, Harajuku and Koenji.
Shimokitazawa, located in Tokyo’s Setagawa Ward, has an eclectic array of indie vintage boutiques, live music houses, and quirky cafes and bars. With a bohemian charm and an aura of creativity, Shimokitazawa embodies Tokyo's vintage soul.
FLAMINGO
In the heart of Shimokitazawa stands Flamingo and its unmissable neon signs, beckoning visitors into the vintage depot since 2005. Its buyers are based in the USA and Canada, and help to keep the store stocked with its regularly refreshed inventory of authentic American vintage clothing spanning the '40s to the '80s. On the racks are items like T-shirts, sweatshirts, dresses, sneakers, and even tableware, all affordably priced, but which you can snag at an even cheaper price if you time your visit right. Last we heard, items are 50 per cent off on the last Saturday of every month. Flamingo also has two other branches in Harajuku and Kichijoji.
Address: Japan, 155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−25−12 リサビル 1Ｆ
STICK OUT
Stick Out is a small shop set on the second floor of a nondescript building, a three-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station. It’s like the Daiso of thrift shops — except that everything is ¥800 (S$7.54) instead of ¥100 — which explains why it’s always packed, especially on weekends. Dive into its many racks of used threads and you may emerge with some gems, like a perfectly fitting pair of Lee or Levi's jeans, always with an unbeatable ¥800 price tag.
Address: Japan, 155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−14-16
CHICAGO
The cavernous Chicago has an impressive amount of stock to match — it has on sale up to 20,000 items of second-hand clothing and accessories at any one time, sourced from Japan, Europe, and the US. And the selection is as eclectic as it is plentiful, ranging from '90s streetwear to vintage kimonos and obis. Bargain hunters will also love its racks out front, where the store displays its goods that are priced to clear. Chicago also has stores in Kichijoji, Harajuku, Omotesando, Kyoto and more.
Location: Japan, 155-0032 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Daizawa, 5 Chome-32-5
NEW YORK JOE EXCHANGE
One of the most recognisable names in the Shimokitazawa thrift scene, New York Joe Exchange has been around since 2010 and sells used clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories for an average price of ¥2,000 (S$18.86), with nothing above ¥10,000 (S$94.29). True to its name, it also allows customers to swap their unwanted clothing for items from the store (New York Joe Exchange will first determine the value of your item, then give you an in-store credit of 60 per cent of its value). Or, you can also choose to sell them your used clothes instead (you’ll get 30 per cent of what the store thinks your item is worth in cash). Tip: Go on the first Sunday of every month, when New York Joe Exchange runs its monthly half-off sale. New York Joe Exchange also has two other stores in Kichijoji and Shibuya.
Address: Japan, 155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 3 Chome-26-4
Harajuku is famous as Tokyo’s youth culture and fashion hub, and is also a haven for vintage and thrift stores. From the iconic Takeshita Street to hidden gems in back alleys, Harajuku’s diverse selection of shops reflect the city’s dynamic fashion culture.
CASANOVA VINTAGE
Casanova Vintage opened in December 2019 and has since become the place people flock to for one-off-one vintage pieces and designer handbags. Its clientele is no less remarkable, from your favourite K-pop idols like Jennie and Jisoo, to Hollywood A-listers such as Kim Kardashian and Pharrell. It's no brainer these celebrities paid a visit to Casanova Vintage, step into any of their stores and you can expect rare Chanel bags and Hermes Birkins all in pristine condition. It is their Louis Vuitton curation, however, that truly turns heads – from popular collections with Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami to rare collaborations with Comme Des Garçons. These hard to come by pieces do come with a hefty price tag, that said, don’t be intimidated to drop by as you’ll feel welcomed by their top-notch hospitality.
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 5 Chome−11−6 Ｔ’ｓ表参道 １F
10TOW
If you’re in the hunt for some avant-garde pieces from Japanese designers, 10tow will get you covered from head-to-toe, literally. It specialises in vintage and contemporary pieces from Comme Des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe, and Undercover. You could also find pieces from lesser-known cult-favourite Japanese brands here. Its eclectic line-up could feel daunting for a novice vintage shopper, but most pieces are just as wearable as they are unique. Be sure to browse through their Instagram account to get a feel of their current offerings before dropping by. Note: most of their products are reasonably priced, especially for avant-garde pieces, but anticipate to spend as their curation is seriously tempting.
Address: Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya, Udagawacho, 11−6 渋谷宇田川ＫＫビル 4F
KINDAL
Kindal is a chain vintage shop with stores all over Japan. Their Harajuku store is known for its sizeable curation of Issey Miyake ready-to-wear pieces and Maison Margiela’s tabi boots. Be sure to not miss their other selections as well, such as like-new condition Burberry trench coats and old Celine shoes. The store sits on the third floor of a building that could easily be missed if you’re just passing by the street. Don’t be fooled by the shop’s small size, set aside enough time to browse, as they have an impressive range of good quality items with reasonable price tags.
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 4 Chome−29−3 表参道ビル 3F ローソン上
JAM HARAJUKU
Jam Harajuku occupies a massive basement space in Harajuku, in which you can easily spend an afternoon thumbing through its many well-organised racks of shirts, cardigans, jackets, jeans, and more. Every item is handpicked by Jam’s buyers, then checked and cleaned before they make it to the sales floor. A new shipment of stock arrives every week to keep the assortment fresh. Jam is also known for its great customer service, so if the sheer number of products overwhelms you, you can always count on a friendly face to offer help. Prices range from ¥5,000 (S$47) to ¥15,000 (S$141) — not the cheapest, but the quality of the clothing will justify the cost.
Address: Japan, 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−28−5 宮﨑ビル 地下１階
BERBERJIN
Founded in 1998, BerBerJin is a Harajuku vintage stalwart where denimheads around the world congregate. The compact two-storey store houses a well-curated range of vintage sportswear and military clothing, but its real treasures are in the basement, which is dedicated to denim. Founder Yutaka Fujihara (above) himself is known for his extensive knowledge of vintage denim, having even published books on the subject in collaboration with Levi’s Jeans, so you know the curation is a cut above. Prices for regular items start at a few thousand yen, while the rarest vintage denim pieces can go for upwards of one million yen (S$9,429).
Address: Japan, 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 3 Chome−26-11, 原宿SHビル
RAGTAG
Ragtag was founded in 1985 and specialises in used designer wear for both men and women. The first store opened on Takeshita Street in Harajuku, before it grew into a successful chain with over 20 branches across Japan. Its present-day incarnation in Harajuku is a standalone behemoth of glass and steel on Cat Street with three themed floors. Opened in 2012, it offers clothes, bags and accessories from major avant-garde names to famous fashion houses like Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Maison Margiela, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dries Van Noted (above) and much more. Note that Ragtag’s items are mostly lightly used and in excellent condition, and the prices reflect the quality.
Address: Japan, 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome-14-2
KINJI USED CLOTHING
Kinji’s selection of second-hand clothing is massive but well-sorted, with reasonable (though not the cheapest) prices. Good deals can still be had, though, so if you love taking the time to sift through racks and racks of clothes for a hidden steal, you’ll want to spend an afternoon at Kinji. Expect to find an eclectic mix of items ranging from worn-in band tees to crisp Ralph Lauren shirts and classic Burberry trench coats — plenty of casual and streetwear, with some designer brands thrown into the mix.
Address: Japan, 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−31−10 YMスクエア原宿B1F
STEP AHEAD HARAJUKU
Opened in 2008, Step Ahead Harajuku is a cosy shop that is lined wall to wall with racks of vintage tees, flannel shirts, jeans, Chucks and more. Kobayashi from Step Ahead tells us that the store deals in rare vintage clothing dating as far back as the 1900s, and its goods are carefully curated without influence from present-day trends. You’ll need to use a little elbow grease to dig through its many stacks of T-shirts to find your gem — but that’s just part of the charm of thrift shopping. Step Ahead also has four other sister shops in Shimokitazawa, but the Harajuku store is its flagship.
Address: Japan, 150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome-16-2
Koenji in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward is a mecca for vintage and thrift enthusiasts. Its narrow streets are lined with an array of eclectic shops that showcase a mix of quirky, retro, and high-quality secondhand finds. Its charm lies in its unpretentious atmosphere and its ability to transport visitors back in time.
ATLANTIS VINTAGE TOKYO
Atlantis Vintage’s clear focus is on vintage designer handbags, so if you’re on the market for one, it has your back (and hopefully, bag). Besides its Koenji outlet, Atlantis also has two other stores in Ginza and Hiroo. According to its international sales manager Yuji Jitsutani (above), the flagship Koenji branch has a diverse selection of luxury items from famous fashion houses like Chanel, Hermes, Dior, etc, meant to cater to various budgets and tastes. Meanwhile, the Hiroo store specialises in high-end luxury pieces such as Birkins and Kellys, alongside Chanel apparel and accessories, while the Ginza store carries mainly Chrome Hearts and luxury streetwear brands including Supreme, Rick Owens, etc. Atlantis has been in business for over 2o years and employs friendly English-speaking staff in its outlets, who aim to help “demystify the luxury shopping experience.” Jitsutani encourages customers to visit, chat with the staff, try on the bags, and take some photos. Tourists also enjoy tax-free shopping at Atlantis.
Address: Japan, 166-0003 Tokyo, Suginami City, Koenjiminami, 4 Chome-25-3, 高南ビル 1F
BIG TIME
Big Time is a chain vintage clothing store with 11 branches around Japan. It sources its clothing from the United States and Europe, and its stores aim to bring back American culture and fashion of the ’50s to the ’70s. The spacious Koenji branch has both menswear and womenswear spread across three floors, and stylists for movies, TV shows and magazines are also known to tap on its well-curated inventory for costumes. Whether you’re a fan of ’60s hippie-era fashion or just seeking new inspiration, Big Time Koenji is worth a stop.
Address: Japan, 166-0003 Tokyo, Suginami City, Koenjiminami, 4 Chome-25-3 1F・2F
BOZO USED & VINTAGE CLOTHING
If the intensely stylish clientele or steep prices of other vintage stores intimidate you, you’ll want to go to Bozo. That’s not to say the cool kids of Koenji don’t shop here, but Bozo’s cheery staff and wallet-friendly prices make vintage shopping fun even for those dipping their toes into the scene. Store rep Amano tells us that the store gets its stock from the US and Europe, and takes pride in its one-of-a-kind finds that you won’t see at other shops. Bozo’s curation is based neither on trends nor brands, and spans most of the 20th century, so if you’re lucky, you may even pick up a rare turn-of-the-century piece.
Address: Japan, 166-0003 Tokyo, Suginami City, Koenjiminami, 3 Chome-58-29
SAFARI
With five branches all within walking distance of each other, Safari clearly likes to keep things organised. Each of its five shops in Koenji specialises in a particular category of products, catering to different tastes and needs. Safari 1 is the flagship and stocks the best stuff — mostly vintage wear dating back to the 1930s, kept in immaculate condition. Think Levi’s jeans and jackets, Champion and Nike sportswear, and vintage Chucks, all a century old and in pristine condition. Prices, naturally, start at least ¥10,000 (S$94.29) for these rare finds. Meanwhile, Safari 2 specialises in Ralph Lauren; Safari 3 in luxury imported formal wear including dress shoes; Safari 4 in outdoor clothes from brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and North Face; and Safari 5 in vintage French military wear, clothing from brands like Hermès and Margiela, and also vintage eyewear. Safari also has an outlet in Kichijoji.
Address (Safari 1): Japan, 166-0003 Tokyo, Suginami City, Koenjiminami, 3 Chome-57-4 1Ｆ
PAPER MOON
Paper Moon opened in 2007 and is a four-minute walk from Koenji Station. Tucked away on the third floor of a building, it offers a wide variety of used American casualwear at prices ranging from ¥1,000 (S$9.43) to ¥4,000 (S$37.72), so you can enjoy thrift shopping without sticker shock — as it should be. While the shop is compact, it's a real treasure trove of budget-friendly fashion finds.
Address: Japan, 166-0003 Tokyo, Suginami City, Koenjiminami, 3 Chome-46-5