Tokyo shopping guide: six lesser known fashion districts bursting with vintage and luxury stores
Whether you want high-end boutiques or streetwear stores, Tokyo has you covered. But for those wanting to get away from the tourist-lined streets, these smaller neighbourhoods sprouting hip stores are the place to go
It’s no secret that Tokyo has some of the best shopping in the world. Repeat visitors to the city will have no doubt spent hours walking the streets of Ginza, Aoyama or Harajuku perusing their favourite stores and discovering new ones.
But for those looking to expand their horizons, there are other great finds further afield.
Like any large city, Tokyo is constantly changing, often at a rate that seems to outpace others. This is a good thing, as it means there is always something new to discover, both in well-known areas and in those neighbourhoods that are less traversed by tourists.
Exploring a new area on one’s own can, however, be both daunting and time consuming. So we’ve done the legwork for you by seeking out the best shops in six of the city’s lesser known shopping districts.
One tip: Tokyo is not a city that gets moving early in the morning, with many stores not opening until 11am or noon. To avoid disappointment, plan to visit the areas below in the afternoon. Just don’t go too late either, as most smaller stores will close around 6pm.
1. If you like Harajuku, try Shimokitazawa
Some of Harajuku’s best stores are ones that specialise in vintage clothing, but it’s certainly not the only area of the city to have a plethora of second-hand stores.