Retail
Auralee, Minami Aoyama
Tokyo label Auralee has garnered a loyal following with its elegant and understated wares. At its Aoyama flagship, minimalist spaces and contrasting textures provide the backdrop to seasonal collections. High-quality fabrics, clean silhouettes and a commitment to Japanese manufacturing make designer Ryota Iwai’s creations truly special.
FIL Ginza, Ginza
A three-storey building dating back to 1932 is home to the Ginza outpost of Hiroki Nakamura’s Tokyo-based label Visvim. Beyond the tiled façade, the interior brings Nakamura’s love of Americana and Japanese craft to the fore. No detail is overlooked, which makes perusing Visvim’s signature pieces an immersive experience.
Graphpaper Tokyo, Yoyogi
Creative director Takayuki Minami is a key figure in the Japanese capital’s retail scene. On the ground floor of Graphpaper Tokyo, he has brought together a restaurant, an art gallery, a record shop and a coffee stand. Upstairs, the shop is dedicated to his label Graphpaper, showcasing its Made in Japan wares.
Ogaki Shoten, Azabudai
Kyoto-based bookshop Ogaki Shoten’s first outpost in Tokyo spans some 1,000 sq m and features quiet pockets for reading, along with an in-store café and exhibitions. There’s also a picture-book gallery with handpicked titles on low-level displays, making it a family-friendly destination for readers of all ages.
Kitamura Camera, Shinjuku
A fixture on the Japanese photography scene for decades, Kitamura Camera’s concept shop in Shinjuku is a drawcard for shutterbugs from across the globe. Designed by Tokyo-based practice Tonerico, this unique shop is spread over six floors, with more than 5,000 cameras and lenses. It also offers services including photo restoration and camera customisation.
Haibara, Nihonbashi
Don’t be fooled by the modern façade: Haibara is a Nihonbashi institution that has been selling traditional Japanese papers since 1806. This is the place to come for notebooks, stationery and postcards that embody the country’s craft customs and aesthetics, such as the beautifully printed chiyogami paper boxes and celebratory mizuhiki envelopes.
Y & Sons, Kanda
At Y & Sons, long-standing kimono maker Yamato is charting a new path forward for Japan’s national dress. Kimonos are made to order using original fabrics, while accessories range from leather zori sandals to akebi vine baskets, handwoven in Miyagi Prefecture. Equally impressive are collaborations with Norwegian Rain, Snow Peak and more.
Globe Specs, Shibuya
Tetsuya Okada, who opened Globe Specs in 1998, is a pioneer in Japan’s eyewear scene. The shop caters to everyone from musicians to corporate executives. The current selection features handmade pieces from Japanese labels (including Okada’s own Globe Specs pieces), as well as a range of international brands. And the service, of course, is always impeccable.
Ginza Takumi, Ginza
For more than 90 years, Ginza Takumi has been promoting mingei (folk craft) wares for contemporary life. Alongside ceramics from kilns across Japan, you’ll find textiles, lacquerware and other regional handicrafts across two floors. Woodblock-printed paper goods and traditional toys are among the many pieces here that would make for characterful souvenirs.
Design Collection at Ginza Matsuya, Ginza
A group of designers, architects and critics called the Japan Design Committee is behind the curation of this shop’s high-quality wares. From porcelain by Masahiro Mori to kitchenware by Sori Yanagi and furniture by Naoto Fukasawa, the Design Collection is home to classic pieces by Japanese luminaries. Exhibitions are also held in the adjacent gallery space.
