Thrift shopping in Tokyo is downright serious business. Alongside with homegrown streetwear labels such as Comme des Garçons, UNDERCOVER, and NEIGHBOURHOOD, you can also pick up luxury brands such as Armani, Balenciaga, and Rolex for a fraction of the cost – if you know where to look.
Read on because we’re letting you in on 10 Tokyo thrift stores where you can score the best deals.
Image credit: @2ndstreet_official
2nd Street will impress even the most nit-picky of hypebeasts. With over 250 stores across the country, the secondhand store boasts an impressive variety of streetwear brands like WTAPS, Supreme, and FORTY PERCENT AGAINST RIGHTS.
Image credit: @2ndstreet_official
The thrift store may be hardcore about branded apparel, but it’s easy on the price tags. Prices are slashed by up to 80% off, and pieces start from just USD5. The racks are refreshed with new pieces every week so you can pop by multiple times for new finds.
Popular 2nd Street outlets
2nd Street Shimokitazawa
Address: 2-3 Kitazawa 2 No. 30-13 Fine Court Shimokitazawa 2F, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-10PM, Daily
Directions: 2-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station
2nd Street Harajuku
Address: 4 Chome-26-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Directions: 7-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station
2nd Street Kōenji
Address: 4 Chome-6-7 Koenji Minami, Suginami City, Tokyo 166-0003, Japan
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Directions: 4-minute walk from Kōenji Station
New York Joe Exchange at Shimokitazawa
Image adapted from: Naoko Takano
New York Joe Exchange bears remnants of a Japanese bathhouse with its yellow tiled walls and exposed pipings. Look down at your feet and you’ll find apparel arranged according to the coloured flooring originally used to segregate genders in the bathhouse – red for females and blue for males.
Image adapted from: @newyorkjoeexchange
Thrifters on the lookout for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Fear of God (FOG) should definitely include this shopping hotspot in their itinerary. Each item retails for just 30% of its original price.
New York Joe Exchange also offers a trade-in service where you can bring your apparel in, have it assessed by the shop staff, and receive shop credits equivalent to 60% of your item’s original retail price. The shop credits can then be used to purchase apparel from New York Joe Exchange.
Image adapted from: @newyorkjoeexchange
The vintage shop holds a 50% storewide sale on the first Sunday of each month. That means you could snag a rare find for just 15% of its original cost!
New York Joe Exchange Shimokitazawa
Address: 3 Chome-26-4 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 4-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station
New York Joe Exchange Kichijōji
Address: 1 Chome-15-14 Kichijōji Minamicho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0003, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 6-minute walk from Kichijōji Station
New York Joe Exchange Shibuya
Address: 1 Chome-20-4 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 8-minute walk from Shibuya Station
Flamingo at Harajuku
Image credit: @ups.catstreet
With eye-catching neon signs emblazoning the storefront, Flamingo is a shop that cannot be missed – literally. The place carries an array of apparel dating from the 50s to the 90s – think greaser-style leather jackets and hippie floral maxi dresses.
Image credit: @alberto_morelato
Flamingo’s footwear collection is particularly noteworthy, as it’s stocked with the likes of Dr. Martens, Grenson, and L.L.Bean.
Tip: Get your money worth when you drop by on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month. All items will be reduced by half – it’s a dream come true for budget-conscious shoppers.
Image adapted from: @flamingo_harajuku
Walk further in and you’ll find a picturesque corner that looks like a page out of a fairytale book.
Popular Flamingo outlets
Flamingo Shimokitazawa
Address: 2-25-12 Kitazawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 12PM-9PM | Sat & Sun, 11AM-9PM
Directions: 5-minute walk from Meiji Jingu-mae Station or 10-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station
Flamingo Harajuku
Address: Junkyard 1F, 4-26-28, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 12PM-9PM | Sat & Sun, 11AM-9PM
Directions: 2-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station
Flamingo Kichijōji
Address: 1 Chome-15-14 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0003, Japan
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 12PM-9PM | Sat & Sun, 11AM-9PM
Directions: 6-minute walk from Kichijōji Station
Image adapted from: @shimokitamarket2011
Shimokita Market is one of those nondescript thrift shops that most people pass by without a second glance. Don’t make the same mistake as them because this hidden gem is where you’ll find luxury items starting from a mere ¥100 (~USD0.96).
Image adapted from: @shimokitamarket2011
If you want to play it safe before heading down, check out the latest finds on Shimokita Market’s Instagram first. A quick browse reveals a Burberry mini bag going for a mere ¥800 (~USD7.45) and a Cartier purse at a ridiculously low price of ¥2,400 (~USD22.36).
Address: 2-34-11 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 3-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station
Image credit: japantravel.navitime.com
A jaunt around Shimo-Kitazawa Station will bring you to LANP, a compact store stuffed with American brands. This place is stocked with everything that will clothe you from head to toe – hats, shades, outerwear, tops, bottoms, dresses, and an extensive range of leather shoes.
Address: 2-chōme-25-8 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tōkyō-to 155-0031, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 3-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station
Image credit: global.rakuten.com
Like 2nd Street, BAZZSTORE is also a haven for streetwear enthusiasts. Here, you can find brands like Supreme, Champion, and HYSTERIC GLAMOUR. There are 13 stores in Tokyo, each within a 5-minute walk from the nearest subway station.
Pay special attention to the men’s section – the retail chain mostly carries graphic tees, flannels, and a stunning selection of sport shoes sneakerheads will fall head over heels with.
Tip: Shop at the end of a season to score more discounts.
Popular BAZZSTORE outlets
BAZZSTORE Shimokitazawa
Address: Shimokitazawa Nissho Bld 1F, 2-11-4, Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, 157-0062, Tokyo, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-10PM, Daily
Directions: 2-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station
BAZZSTORE Shibuya
Address: 2 Chome−11−4 Setagaya City, Kitazawa, Tokyo, 155-003, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-10PM, Daily
Directions: 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station
BAZZSTORE Kōenji
Address: ARISTO Kōenji 2F, 3-58-22 Kōenji Minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-10PM, Daily
Directions: 2-minute walk from Kōenji Station
Image credit: @cateleek
Kinji is one of the best known Tokyo thrift stores, and they’re famed for carrying ultra-cheap clothing. Big-name brands aren’t frequently sighted, but if you’re discerning and patient, dig a little further and you’ll unearth expensive labels like Christian Dior, Issey Miyake and more for less than ¥1,000 (~USD9.55).
Image credit: @kinji_harajuku
New items are added every day, so you’ll be spoilt for choices.
Address: YM Square Building B1, 4-31-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 3-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station
Komehyo at Shinjuku
Image credit: livejapan.com
Komehyo covers a whopping 8 floors and carries both new and pre-owned luxury brands. This is where you can cop expensive brands at half price. Plus, stringent checks for authenticity are part of Komehyo’s policies, so you can shop with a peace of mind.
Image credit: en.komehyo.co.jp
If you’re broke but looking to impress your parents or your in-laws, Komehyo is your holy grail. Unlike most secondhand outlets, the mega thrift store focuses more on branded bags, watches, and accessories. Expect fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Issey Miyake, Prada, Rolex and more gracing the shelves.
Tip: Remember to bring your passport for tax exemption as Komehyo is a duty-free shop.
Popular Komehyo outlets
Komehyo Shinjuku
Address: 3-5-6, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Directions: 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station
Komehyo Ginza
Address: Miyuki Bldg. 1F-4F, 5-6-12, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 2-minute walk from Ginza Station
Komehyo Aoyama
Address: Minamiaoyama Hashimoto Bldg. 1F, 5-4-40, Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 4-minute walk from Omotesando Station
Image credit: @omoharareal
RAGTAG gets its supplies from a close-knit community of brand-conscious locals, so chances of spotting limited-edition pieces are sky-high. As such, expect steeper prices averaging at ¥10,000 (~USD95.84) per item.
Image adapted from: @seanlz
From Japanese labels like Bape and RAGEBLUE to luxury brands like Prada and Miu Miu, the list is non-exhaustive. We suggest bringing wads of cash and a sharp eye. If you have a particular brand in mind, you can also save time by seeking help from the shop assistant with these basic Japanese phrases for shopping.
Popular RAGTAG outlets
RAGTAG Harajuku
Address: 6 Chome-14-2 Jingūmae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Directions: 4-minute walk from Meiji Jingūmae Station
RAGTAG Shibuya
Address: 1 Chome-17-7 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-9PM, Daily
Directions: 10-minute walk from Ginza Station
RAGTAG Ginza
Address: 3 Chome-3-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 3-minute walk from Ginza Station
Image credit: @kiloshop_harajuku
Kilo Shop, as its name suggests, sells vintage garms by the kilo. Each kilogram of apparel will set you back by approximately ¥3,000 (~USD28.81) to ¥6,000 (~USD57.61), depending on the brand and quality of the clothing.
Maximise your budget by picking out lightweight items, such as summer wear. You can easily gather 15 to 20 pieces of clothing per kilo – better yet if you manage to include branded names into the pile.
Address: LAFORET B1, 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Opening hours: 12PM-8PM, Daily
Directions: 1-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station or 5-minute walk from Harajuku Station
Tokyo might be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but if you do your homework, you’ll uncover a plethora of shops that are wallet-friendly.
Just a word of advice – pack minimally and come prepared with empty luggage before you hit these Tokyo thrift stores.
Check out these articles on your next trip to Japan:
Cover image adapted from (clockwise from top-left): @shimokitamarket2011, @ups.catstreet, @2ndstreet_official, and Naoko Takano
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