Top 10 Vintage Stores To Score The Best Deals In Tokyo

Sorry, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London. A new competitor is ready to take your crown as the hottest vintage shopping mecca. While many of you know this electrifying city to be the go-to hotspot for all things high-tech and kawaii, Tokyo is a rising hotspot for vintage clothing hunters.

While many of us see vintage clothing as unfashionable castoffs from our parents and grandparents, never did we anticipate that celebrities like Bella Hadid and Alexa Chung will travel to Japan's capital city to find some treasures to add inside their closet. As the Japanese like all things neat and well-preserved, there's a high chance that you can score runway-ready rarities in greater condition than whatever you see in our local thrift stores.

If this is your first time going on a vintage shopping trip, here are some rules to remember:

1. Expect some wears and tears

No vintage garment is perfect as most of them have been worn-in for you.

2. Don't be scared to try on anything 

Most stores have sent them to be laundered, dry cleaned and repaired for any discolouration, stains and/or smells for hygiene purposes. (This is being covered by the price tag!)

3. Pack them properly

Most fibers from older garments are sensitive from previous environmental exposure, so you need to pack them in a laundry bag to prevent any future problems.

4. Ask the employees anything

They can tell you what era an item is from, which season a Chanel piece is from, the fit of the garment (as vintage sizing runs smaller than today's size charts) and give you tips on how to take care of your new purchase.

5. Wear them on the day you leave

Since expensive vintage pieces are at risk of being misplaced or mishandled during luggage inspection, it's best to wear it on the day you leave Japan.

Now bookmark these stores and book a flight!

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Just Back From… Tokyo

Amore

If you'rre wondering where Bella scored her vintage designer booty, this chic boutique was where she modeled a pair of Chanel resin comb-style sunglasses on her Instagram. Inside the store, you can find the best treasures from a vintage Hermes Kelly backpack (rare!), Chanel earrings to a plethora of Fendi logo prints. Bring your credit card, don't WhatsApp your husband and brag to your friends about the best vintage haul. Photo: Amore

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Solakzade

Be warned: this store is not for the shy. Geared towards eyewear collectors, there is a wide variety between antique specs to deadstock 1980s rimless tinded shades. While you try on each piece, take a selfie before you decide. P.S. Kate Moss, KimYe and Jared Leto were caught wearing vintage sunnies from this store! Photo: Solakzade

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Chicago

Aptly fitting for Kim Kardashian's third child with Kanye West, sadly, this store does not sell baby clothes. Nor does it sell vintage designer pieces for the reality star/makeup mogul, who was photographed outside the store dressed like an X-Men character. However, it does sell Yeezy-esque baggy jeans, XL tees and big jackets that will make a Kardashian-Jenner smile. If you want souvenir-style bomber jackets, old school yukatas and kimonos, then this is the destination. Photo: Instagram

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Laila

If you are in desperate need to find archival runway pieces and super rare collectibles, then Laila is the place. Set in a futuristic style interior, you can imagine thousands of ways to style your soon-to-be acquired gems. Unlike most vintage stores in the city, you can get a good mix of European and American vintage apparel. Photo: Instagram

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laila

Funktique

If hunting for anything older than 1990 is not your thing, then Funktique is the place for you. Specialising in '90s to early '00s fashion, this place feels a bit more contemporary due to its streetwear aestehtic. Photo: Intsgram

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funktique

Pin Nap

Forget about trying to find a vintage Chanel tote or a secondhand Hermes Kelly over here. Made for those who like to go on an off the beaten path, this store is stocked with editorial-friendly pieces. You can stumble across a painted Tony Alamo jacket (which was seen on Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj) or a Rihanna-esque vintage Princess Diana tribute tee. Otherwise, if those aforementioned items are too modest for your taste, you can go hard with a Teletubbies backpack to relive your childhood. While quirkier items seem intimidating to purchase, everyone will wander in shock and awe of your fashion finesse. P.S. A$AP Rocky visited the store last year! Photo: Instagram

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Flamingo

As most vintage stores cater to the American streetwear aesthetic, this gem is not like the others. Inside the store, you can find feminine gauzy dresses, cropped baby tees and floral dresses. Fun fact: this is the store where Alexa Chung walked out with a few hauls. Photo: Pinterest

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flamingo

Toga XTC

Created as a side project for Japanese label Toga, XTC is set up like a garage sale. While most garage sales exude the vibe of castoff debris, clothes and accessories are neatly well-presented in rows and racks. Fun fact: Toga's designer, Yasuko Furuta, draws upon vintage pieces as a source of inspiration for her designs. Photo: Pinterest

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toga xtc

Grimoire

The dolly kei aesthetic is a bit too extra to carry out for everyday life; however, don't let the super femme decor get in your way of shopping here. With clothes curated from the U.S., Austria, Germany and Czech Republic, you'll experience a very Euro flavour that makes you feel like you stepped inside a fairy tale house. Photo: Pinterest

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Qoo

Similar to Amore, this store boasts a vast amount of vintage designer goodies. Despite the similarities, Qoo is best for those who are looking for accessories, jewelry and shoes. Whether it's a secondhand Cartier mini Baignoire watch, Hermes loafer or a Galliano era Dior bracelet, each item you try on will make everyone believe that it's brand new. Photo: Facebook

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qoo