Shimokitazawa is one of the best areas in Tokyo for vintage shopping. Many small second-hand shops sit close together in narrow lanes, and each has its own style. Go in the afternoon, carry cash and a folding bag, and check the size before you try on an item. Take your time, and you will find pieces you cannot get at home.
Why this area for vintage
The area has a village feel, with small streets, low buildings and independent shops. Vintage and second-hand clothing shops are the main draw. Each shop has its own style, so visit several to find what suits you. The Shimokitazawa and the west side guide describes the streets, and the Tokyo guide gives the wider picture.
Plan the walk
Shimokitazawa is small enough to cover in one afternoon. Pick a lane, walk to its end, and then choose the next one.
- Turn back when a lane ends, rather than follow a map.
- Stop for a snack when you feel hungry, rather than at a set time.
- Note the shops you want to revisit, and where they sit in the lane.
Shop smart
Vintage clothing is not like new clothing. Sizes vary, and the condition can change from one item to the next. A few habits make shopping easier.
- Check the size by measuring the item, not by trusting the label. Japanese sizes are often smaller than sizes in Europe or the Americas.
- Try items on. Ask staff for the fitting room if the shop has one.
- Look for stains, holes and broken zips. Ask staff if you are not sure about the condition.
- Ask before you touch a fragile item on display.
- Do not expect to bargain in most shops. Ask only if the shop sign says so.
- Read the care label, and ask staff how to wash the item. Old fabrics can shrink or fade, so wash them by hand when you can.
Cash, cards and bags
Some small shops take cash only, so carry some cash as well as a card. Do not rely on a bag from the shop. A folding bag in your pocket is more reliable.
Eat between the shops
Soup curry and small cafes sit between the vintage shops. Stop when you feel hungry, not when the map says. Look up a named place on Tabelog before you walk there, and check its closing day.
Manners in narrow lanes
Residents live among the shops, and the lanes are narrow. Good manners keep the area pleasant for everyone.
- Walk single file in narrow lanes. Bicycles also use them.
- Keep your voice down outside shops, because the lanes carry sound.
- Do not stand in a doorway while you look at a rack. Step inside to make room.
Go further
Koenji has its own second-hand shops and small bars under the railway tracks. Kichijoji, a short train ride away, has a large park with a pond and rowing boats. Both sit on other lines, so check the route and the operator before you travel.
Wrap up the afternoon
Shimokitazawa is a good place to end the day slowly. Sit in a cafe, look at your purchases and set aside anything you do not need before you travel. Carry fragile items in your hand luggage rather than a shopping bag. If you buy a large item, plan how you will carry it before you leave the shop, and fold your bag away before you board the train.
Who this suits
This plan suits friends and solo travellers who like second-hand clothing and small shops. Couples who enjoy a slow afternoon will also like it. It is less suited to people who need to reach big sights quickly.
Check first: Check each shop's opening days on its own page or social account before you walk there. Many shops close on set days of the week, and small shops change their hours.
What to do next
Shimokitazawa fits well into a Tokyo trip. Use the planner to add an afternoon here, and read the Tokyo guide for other ideas.
