The Best Japanese Thrift Stores in New York
PC: @tokyojoenyc
I’ve kept this more or less to myself, but the only thrift stores I go to are the Japanese ones. Whether that’s directly in Japan, or Japanese-owned and operated in New York, doesn’t really matter to me. It’s the only place I can trust that the garments have been cared for, washed, and handled with love before getting placed on the shelves. I myself have donated a considerable amount of clothes to various thrift and consignment stores in New York City, and watched as they immediately placed items on the display rack.
Thrift shopping in Japan is a completely different experience from thrift shopping anywhere else. You can tell that the store owners really care about what’s going to make it into the store. Pieces are vetted with a discerning eye, and the shopping experience itself feels organized and inspiring. Items are placed as if they’re being sold for the very first time. Instead of a junk shop that requires some serious time and luck to find anything good, Japanese thrift stores offer clothes that you’d actually want.
My Instagram is filled with hauls of thrift finds from Japan. I, too, posted a very lucky Bottega Veneta skirt find on YouTube Shorts and Substack, and it’s gone viral on both platforms.
As much as I’d love to travel to Japan to complete all my thrift shopping, I fear that’s not the most economical way to shop. Instead, I wanted to offer you my favorite Japanese thrift, consignment, and vintage stores in New York, below.
The Best Japanese Thrift Stores in New York
This luxury consignment store opened in 1994 and is currently on its third owner, Yuri Kimura. It’s focus lies on high-end designer pieces that are meticulously selected from both Japan and Europe. You’re bound to find some serious treasures here.
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 10ft Single by Stella Dallas has more of an everyday, somewhat Western appeal. The prices are very reasonable and you’ll find a great selection of knits, cargos, and Ralph Lauren pieces here.
This Japanese consignment store in the East Village has an incredible curation of designer accessories and ready-to-wear. You’ll find a lot of Japanese designers here, like Junya Watanabe and Yohji Yamamoto. A lot of Western brands are naturally featured as well, especially the ones loved in Japan (think Dries van Noten and Acne Studios)
You might recognize this popular Japanese thrift store from your most recent trip to Japan. It’s large enough to have several locations across New York City as well. It has a more eclectic curation of goods, featuring everything from low to high-end pieces (like this Khaite dress pictured to the left).
I love visiting the Front General Store in Dumbo, Brooklyn. It’s so well organized and curated, you wouldn’t believe it’s a vintage store at a first glance. It also sells non-vintage Japanese home goods. Perfect place for denim, jackets, and jewelry.
Thirteen Crosby caters to the “Gyaru,” a sort of eclectic, maximalist type of girl often seen in Tokyo. Its main focus is on. ‘90s and early 2000s archival designer pieces that were popular in Tokyo. You’ll even find a purikura photobooth in the store!
If you’re in need of some Japanese denim, then Blue in Green is the place to go. They’ll even measure and hem your denim for you, ensuring you go home with your next forever piece.
