Where to buy japanese jean/boot brands in Japan

brainmonster · Jun 2, 2008

I recently looked around in Shinjuku and Shibuya, including the Isetan store, the 109 store, and Parco. Around these areas too, all these seemed to have in terms of jeans were import brands like Nudies, Acne, Levis, etc. Boots were pretty slim pickings and I only saw red wings of any import...and they only had the American varieties when supposedly Japan has lines not available in the US.

So is there some secret I havn't discovered?I was told to just check obvious places like these. Where can I find Japanese brands like Samurais, Pure Blue Japan, Evisu, and boots like Lone Wolf, ironclad, etc.? I really wanted a pair of whites but I founde them in japan for $950 (!!!) so I need a Japanese brand option.

If you have any advice please let me know!

PG2G · Jun 2, 2008

I don't know about boots, but for jeans you're going to have to go to certain stores like Americaya in Ueno, Hinoya, and others (including the brands stores).

The Japanese brands we love here aren't really mainstream over there.

bbaquiran · Jun 2, 2008

Shibuya? I shot this photo there a couple years back:

brainmonster · Jun 2, 2008

don't really like those japanese style boots with fake vintage styling and wierd buckles and stuff...I want some well-made boots that aren't as fancy. Does anyone know of any other good Japanese brand boots other than lone wolf?

keykoo · Jun 2, 2008

You should be able to run into the Fab Four store somewhere in Harujuku (Skull) and there is a 45rpm store on one of the main avenues leading to Shibuya. The PBJ store is in the edge of Harujuku as well, although I have never been able to find it. There are a couple of official Evisu retailers in Shibuya. Superfuture has good maps of the area as well as places to get your ****.

Waffle · Jun 2, 2008

there are alot of denim stores in the arcades in ueno

dtmt · Jun 2, 2008

Originally Posted by brainmonster

don't really like those japanese style boots with fake vintage styling and wierd buckles and stuff...I want some well-made boots that aren't as fancy. Does anyone know of any other good Japanese brand boots other than lone wolf?
The ridiculous overdone shoes/boots with a bazillion buckles or pointy toes is the norm in Japan.

The thinking for young Japanese is that once you graduate college and get a job you will have to wear a suit or a uniform for the next 40 years, so they want to go nuts with crazy/trendy stuff before that.

It's actually probably easier to find the type of shoes/boots you're looking for in the US. Japanese brand shoes are usually not great quality or overpriced, also the biggest size usually is about 9.5/10 US.

Having said that though, I would recommend to walk around any large shopping area like Shinjuku and check all the major department stores, ABC Mart, Around The Shoes, Regal Shoes, etc.

Originally Posted by bbaquiran

Shibuya? I shot this photo there a couple years back:
Hideous... sad thing is I know exactly where that's at.

asobu · Jun 2, 2008

Originally Posted by dtmt

Hideous... sad thing is I know exactly where that's at.

Yeah, because that's right up where the best part for shopping in shibuya is.

the etruscan · Jun 2, 2008

Originally Posted by brainmonster

I recently looked around in Shinjuku and Shibuya, including the Isetan store, the 109 store, and Parco. Around these areas too, all these seemed to have in terms of jeans were import brands like Nudies, Acne, Levis, etc. Boots were pretty slim pickings and I only saw red wings of any import...and they only had the American varieties when supposedly Japan has lines not available in the US. So is there some secret I havn't discovered?I was told to just check obvious places like these. Where can I find Japanese brands like Samurais, Pure Blue Japan, Evisu, and boots like Lone Wolf, ironclad, etc.? I really wanted a pair of whites but I founde them in japan for $950 (!!!) so I need a Japanese brand option. If you have any advice please let me know!
Errr, the Real McCoy store (Daikinyama, 10 minute walk from Shibuya station) has some very nice boots. They claim to be made in America, but are made by Real McCoy in Japan. Bit vague on the price, I'm not a fan of workboots, but it was in the 530-650ish range I think? Just up the street from them, like 1-2 blocks on the same road, other side is the omnigod store. I don't think they've got boots, but it's worth checking if you get there anyway. The 45 RPM Stores are all Southeast of Omotesando station, maybe a 7 minute walk to the first and like 3-5 minutes from each to the others. There's a 45 RPM, 45 RPM Ai, and Badou Ai store. I think you go south from Omotosando station and turn left on Koto Dori, then walk nearly to the end to get to the 45 RPM ai store, and they'll have directions to the others.

geoff · Jun 6, 2008

Definitely Ueno, it's a good place for jeans.

Once there, walk up and down both sides of the tracks. You should be able to find more than a few places selling Iron Heart and the like.

Unfortunately, there stuff looks like garbage on my frame. Good luck!

Email if you have specific questions on the areas or directions.

109 is too creepy for me. Shibuya has a younger, more disposable market.

Depending on your shoe size, there is a place called Big B (Hikari shoes) in Gotanda. They have sizes from 27-36. If you're looking for different sneakers, limited edition stuff it's pretty good but expensive.

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Where to buy japanese jean/boot brands in Japan

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