VINTAGE QOO TOKYO is a romantic vintage shop that can be likened to a jewel box. It’s located in a place a little beyond Omotesando’s alleyways. You’ll know it by its cute mix of vintage colours: white and pink.

Inside dangles a chandelier which lifts the atmosphere of the shop. Every article of clothing, and each bag, pair of shoes and so on lines the shop beautifully, and all stand out from one another. It’s the kind of dressing room you yearn for as a child – a place that will sweep you off your feet.

The store is particular about its wares, filling shelves with items from the 80s and 90s. Although everything in there is stuffed together side-by-side, you can feel that it’s from another time, with each high brand item donning its own texture and appearance.

At QOO, they don’t just sell clothes. They offer vintage furniture and interior items too. Their appeal comes from their designs and silhouettes which are distinct from the time they came from.

The wallpaper, decorating the shop with its original textile, and the ceiling layered with lattice that was used in gardens in the older days will tickle your heart.

VINTAGE QOO TOKYO celebrates its 6th year since opening this year. The owner, Junna Mori, opened it herself after gaining experience as a buyer with another company. The store began as a wholesaler.

“I plunged myself into visiting vintage shops in Daikanyama with a suitcase packed with items in hand. While I was doing that, I started to want to own my own shop.”

“Because I love second-hand clothes, I thought intensely about how I could keep them something close and familiar to people.”

Junna said this while delicately taking vintage items into her hand that have been picked to flow with the current times.

“For beginners, they find it hard to wipe thoughts about second-hand clothes and vintage like ‘If you’re not well-acquainted, you can’t wear them,’ and ‘It’s not a world I can enter,’ don’t they? It’s because of those people that I want to take in items that can add something your everyday life.”

It certainly is a waste that the culture of second-hand clothing is dying out because it’s a difficult world to get into.

“That’s why I want to carry on the legacy by matching items that flow with the current age and its trends.”

VINTAGE QOO TOKYO is dedicated to seizing the irreplaceable second-hand and vintage culture.

VINTAGE QOO TOKYO doesn’t have a set stock day, and it shows as those who may have visited the store yesterday will come the next day and say, ‘This wasn’t here yesterday!’ The lineup changes bit by bit every day.

“If you have a lot of items in stock because of a set day where goods arrive, and they sell well, then you’ll have a shortage of stock. I don’t like to think that people won’t come across something because they couldn’t make it in time with such timing like that, and so I value a fresh lineup every day.”

This is the kind of vintage lifestyle that VINTAGE QOO TOKYO offers. If it’s the luxurious kind of vintage that’ll strike a chord in your heart you’re looking for, then you will find it here.

Burberrys Trench Coat – ¥42,800 (Tax-Included) / Suede Belt – ¥2,800 (Tax-Included)

GUCCHI Floral T-shirt – ¥23,800 (Tax-Included)

CHANEL Round Double Flap Matelasse Plate Chain Bag – ¥218,800 (Tax-Included)

I assume some of you might have no idea which shop to go to even though you want to buy some second-hand clothes. In this article, I will introduce to you some recommended second-hand clothing stores in Harajuku!

Lots of original/remake products at “Santamonica”

Harajuku – the town that has come to be the Mecca for second-hand clothing for many years. Santa Monica is a store located away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets that opened as the very first ladies only shop. 37 years on, it’s still the newest place to be so.

The main color of the store and the big signboard is white. It’s a store where you can enjoy second-hand clothing to a whole new level, a place that sells original items, remade items, and more. This store is recommended for the beginners of second-hand clothes

Detailed information：http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/28279

A second-hand clothing store which has many trendy items “FUNKTIQUE”

“FUNKTIQUE” is a second-hand clothing store located beside Tonchan Street. They sell trendy, modern items based on the street cultures of 90’s to 00’s. They collect various items from vintage sport brands, artistic small items and new items and the condition of each item is very good.

 Many models and stylists visit this store and therefore I am sure that you can become the expert in fashion.

Detailed information：http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/42681

“flower” where many “girly” items can be found

flower’s Harajuku store reached its 17^th anniversary this year. The store has been offering selected-items that cannot be purchased at other stores and supporting girls who want to buy “girly” items. The clean and white/wood brown colored store has a comfy atmosphere which makes you want to stay for a long period of time! The space inside the store is wide and the clothes are not racked messily so you can find your favorite item easily.

The motto of the store is to sell simple/elegant and unique clothes. They also sell orthodox items such as denims and race blouses.

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A characteristic world blasted with taste - “OHPEARL”

The shop is overflowing with colorful and unique items. These unique items have been gathered together with no specific genre. Original erotic anime T-shirts are just one of the things that make this shop unique.

Basing this idea around the concept of “something peculiar”, there are T-shirts designed with love hotel signs and anime character images – we hit the jackpot!

It doesn’t matter which country you’re from, your background or your age – just focus on these awesome clothes! Set yourself free and browse to your heart’s content at OHPEARL.

If you want to try something, don’t hold back! As your eyes gaze at the large range of items, you will be pushed forward into your fashionista destiny!

Detailed information：http://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/50744

“verandah aoyama” sells basic clothes

The sunshine is delivered through the big window and thus the inside of the store is elegant. Clothes and small items are displayed in an elegant manner. You can’t believe that the items they sell are second-hand since each of them is clean like a brand-new product.

You can buy men-like clothes which women can wear and basic second-hand clothes. The store sells items that you can use for a long time. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from Omotesando Station. You will see the signboard of the store. Then, go down the stairs.

All the second-hand clothing stores noted above are very unique. Why not find your favorite store.

Harajuku is the origin of kawaii culture which is broadly known all over the world nowadays. This city is also one of the most popular sightseeing spots that you can get any items from unique young fashion to trendy fashion. Today, I went to visit some places, mainly the vintage clothing stores that certainly have the latest Harajuku culture with Fashionista Yabe Yuna who is active in Japanese fashion magazines etc.

Starting from “Aloha Amigo”

 “Aloha Amigo” is a new style mixed culture café and dining located in the commercial facility called “Six Harajuku Terrace.” Since this building located in back street of Cat Street, you can spend a relaxing time staying away from the hustle and bustle in this place.

First of all, I ordered “Amigo Taco Rice (994yen include tax）” and “Home-made lemonade. (518yen include tax）” This healthy taco rice has spicy taco meat and fresh vegetables on the top of ten-grain rice. It might look plenty, but even the girls can eat this up easily!

I took a picture with the friendly owner at last! All the staff are friendly, nice, and it has a great atmosphere. This place is really comfortable to me. You don’t have to hesitate to talk to them when you visited here.

To “thrift-tokyo”

The next one that we visited was “thrift-tokyo” where you can purchase a variety of generations’ fashion items and miscellaneous good for a reasonable price. It is also located in the back street of Cat Street. They carry a variety of merchandise from men’s to ladies’.

One of the features of this “thrift-tokyo” is that you can get great vintage clothing for a very cheap price. They often do the sales like “50% off buying more than 10 items” or “buy 2 get 1 free.”

Why don’t you find the good one like going treasure hunting?

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To the “FUNKTIQUE”, the vintage clothing store which carries trend items

The next one was “FUNKTIQUE”, the vintage clothing store located in along with Ton-chan Street. They basically carry the latest trend items basis on 90s to 00s street culture fashions.

They carry a variety of items from vintage sports brand, artistic miscellaneous goods, to the latest select items in good condition.

 If you bring one item on your fashion as an accent, you can enjoy a variety taste of arrangement.

“FUNTIQUE” is said to be a place where models, stylists and people who are associated with fashion often visit. Once you visited here, you might be able to learn an advanced style of fashion.

To the import select shop called “GALLRIE”

The last one we visited today was “GALLERIE.” This is an import select shop located on the basement floor of PATRIA BLD which is next to La Foret Harajuku. The philosophy of this store is “dedicated to all adult saucy women who enjoy fashion.”

They suggest the styles that you have never encountered at any other select shops. You can get the latest but really unique items in this 230 meters wide store. You can be different than anyone else if you shop in this sophisticated store which carries only one item. You absolutely should check this store if you are fashionista.

 Did you have fun visiting the café you can spend relaxing time staying away from the hustle and bustle in the city, three vintage clothing stores and select shop that carry latest trend items in Harajuku? If you check these stores, you can be the advanced Harajuku stroller. Please refer to this article for your next trip to Harajuku.

Photo & Writer：Haruka Yamamoto

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