Best Thrift Shopping in Shimokitazawa

Madeleine Ray

The patchwork of secondhand and vintage stores lining the winding streets near Shimokitazawa station are enchanting; with cafes, record shops, and arcades in between, the area is famously trendy yet more low key than Shibuya or Harajuku. Shimokitazawa is known for having a seemingly endless amount of fashionable shops catering to any subculture you can imagine. As someone passionate about shopping ethically and who is always looking for unique pieces to add to my wardrobe, I have spent countless day-long shopping sprees scouring thrift shops around every corner of ShimoKita. I’ve made a list of my go-to spots representing a variety of different trends for any thrifter who is looking to spend a day or two exploring one of the most unique assortments of secondhand and vintage boutiques you can find in Tokyo.

Little Trip to Heaven 下北沢店, signal, Ａ room, Iroha, WEGO VINTAGE下北沢店, VALON, Florida, Treasure Factory Style Shimokitazawa, HAIGHT & ASHBURY, Harajuku Chicago Shimokitazawa, Flamingo Shimokitazawa, New York Joe Shimokitazawa

  • Little Trip to Heaven 下北沢店 in Tokyo, Japan

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      Inspired by European flea markets, and housing an extensive collection of vintage pieces from the 1950s to the 1970s, visit Little Trip to Heaven to add a heavenly touch to your wardrobe.

  • signal in Tokyo, Japan

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    • madeleineray

      Signal is inspired by 90s fashion and features a collection of both name brands and more underground pieces. Including Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, and Raf Simons to name a few- this shop is a little pricier but has a beautiful and rare collection of true cosmopolitan fashion.

  • Ａ room in Tokyo, Japan

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      Purchasing vintage pieces from the US every month, A room has a constant rotation of beautiful second-hand clothes. The shop is a little off the beaten path in a secluded alleyway but has a warm and inviting interior stuffed full of fashionable second-hand clothes.

  • Iroha in Tokyo, Japan

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      For a more sophisticated shopping experience, Iroha is the place to go in Shimokitazawa. Iroha offers a less overwhelming amount of clothes than its neighbors, but quality pieces at a fair price.

  • WEGO VINTAGE下北沢店 in Tokyo, Japan

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      WEGO is a popular chain of trendy Japanese fashion throughout Tokyo, but at this location, you can actually find select vintage pieces. For such a large amount of merchandise, it is the dream spot to spend time flipping through unique pieces for anything your closet might be lacking.

  • VALON in Tokyo, Japan

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      For rare pieces originating from Europe and America, Valon offers a huge variety of both second-hand menswear and womenswear. Full of high-quality vintage items, this store has something for everyone.

  • Florida in Tokyo, Japan

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    • madeleineray

      About a 3 minute walk From Shimokitazawa Station, Florida is one of the most popular and quirkiest vintage stores in the area. This shop is super affordable and has a huge collection of used sneakers and clothes as well as some unique accessories. The shop also has some beautiful vintage pieces and interior decorations.

  • Treasure Factory Style Shimokitazawa in Tokyo, Japan

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      While specializing in clothing, Treasure Factory sells everything including tableware, electrical products, and furniture. The store itself is reasonably priced and has a mixture of high-end brands with more affordable brands. Unlike most stores in Shimokitazawa, Treasure Factory does not focus on a specific time period or style. The shop functions as a consignment shop, with curated modern second-hand pieces. This is the place to go for great deals on well-kept pieces of name brands while shopping sustainably.

  • HAIGHT & ASHBURY in Tokyo, Japan

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      Haight & Ashbury specializes in authentic American and European clothing from the 19th and 20th centuries. Everything in the shop is handpicked and carefully curated, with the truly luxurious items on display. The store is divided into mens, ladies, and antiques and is carefully organized. This is the place to go for truly unique and sophisticated pieces. They also have a selection of high-quality accessories and shoes.

  • Harajuku Chicago Shimokitazawa in Tokyo, Japan

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      A spacious store with a massive amount of stock. If you are looking for traditional Japanese pieces, such as kimono and yukata for an affordable price this is the place to go. Harajuku Chicago has a vast selection of authentic Japanese clothing and accessories. The shop also has imported vintage pieces from America and Europe, with an emphasis on menswear for these retro pieces.

  • Flamingo Shimokitazawa in Tokyo, Japan

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      Flamingo is a bigger store with locations housed around Tokyo, carrying a variety of vintage clothing from the '40s to the ’80s with a focus on American fashion. There are pieces constantly being imported from the US and Europe to keep the store stocked with an extensive selection of items. The store itself is more on the affordable end of thrift shopping in Tokyo, they often have huge sales so be on the lookout for this if you love finding a bargain.

  • New York Joe Shimokitazawa in Tokyo, Japan

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      Built in an old public bathhouse, you can see in the structure there are still remnants of that past with vintage tiles peeking out around floorboards and on the walls. Along with a soft glow from the neon lights, the shop has a truly ethereal feel. New York Joe has eccentric pieces that never lean on the side of dull. The fun part about New York Joe Exchange is that you can actually exchange old clothes for new ones at the shop, which is really ethical and fun.