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A trip to Tokyo always guarantees great food, one-of-a-kind sights, and exceptional hotels—but for fashion lovers, it’s also an epic shopping destination. For vintage fashion, in particular, the city is a goldmine: In stylish neighborhoods such as Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shimokitazawa you’ll find stores that specialize in curating rare secondhand designer goods.
Heading on a trip to Tokyo anytime soon? Lucky for you, Vogue has all of the must-know tips for getting the most out of your vintage shopping haul. Sure, Tokyo is an enormous city with tons of fashion to discover, and it can be overwhelming to navigate. But scoring that one-of-a-kind Chanel or Dior bag can be easy—if you know where to shop, and what to look out for.
Below, a vintage lover’s guide to Tokyo—including all the dos and don’ts.
Do know the staple chain stores
To vintage shop successfully in Tokyo, acquaint yourself with the staples. Stores such as Ragtag, 2nd Street, Kindal, and Bookoff all have multiple locations across Tokyo—and each one boasts a multi-brand mixture of designer clothing and accessories, as well as home goods.
Don’t miss Shimokitazawa
Known as one of Tokyo’s coolest, most bohemian neighborhoods, the Shimokitazawa district is a can’t-miss destination for vintage lovers: The streets are lined with vintage clothing and record stores, cafés, and bars. A staple store in the area is Chicago, which offers an eclectic mix of ’90s streetwear, vintage Levi’s and Wrangler jeans, and tons of leather jackets (Kim Kardashian paid a visit to the store on her trip to Tokyo). Flamingo specializes in American vintage wears, while Pigsty and New York Joe Exchange both offer an eclectic mix of casual vintage pieces at reasonable prices.
Photo: Courtesy of Casanova Vintage
Do zero in on vintage bags
If one is in the market for a vintage luxury bag, there are a handful of stores in Tokyo that specialize in carrying covetable designer accessories. In Harajuku, Amore Vintage is known for its assortment of archival Chanel bags—from classic quilted flaps to rarer Karl Lagerfeld-era runway styles. At Casanova Vintage in Shibuya, the retro Chanel bags are also plentiful (though its assortment of Dior saddle bags, Hermès Birkins, and monogrammed Louis Vuitton bags are not to be overlooked). Ditto for Vintage Qoo in Shibuya, which carries bags by Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Prada, Celine, and more.