5 best places to buy elevated wardrobe staples in Tokyo

Best for: T-shirts

Junky Special in Shinjuku is one of the few physical stores in Tokyo where you can pick up Whitesville tees. The brand is produced by Toyo Enterprise, a long-established Japanese manufacturer that has been producing T-shirts, sweatshirts and other fashion items domestically in Japan since 1965.

These high-quality T-shirts are crafted from finely woven cotton with a high stitch count and feature a durable ribbed neckline, ensuring long-lasting wear and excellent shape retention. The classic twopack T-shirts come in white, black, navy and grey. They’ve become a hot commodity over the last couple years thanks to hit American TV series The Bear, where protagonist Carmy is often seen sporting the brand’s classic white tee.

Best for: Sneakers

Moonstar is a heritage footwear brand based in Kurume, a city in Fukuoka prefecture known for its proud manufacturing history and unique shoemaking techniques. Since its founding in 1873, the company has been producing comfortable, made-in-Japan footwear – from classic tabi-style shoes to contemporary sneakers.

At this Jiyugaoka flagship store, you can browse the brand’s shoe selection including the popular ‘Fine Vulcanized’ collection, which features flexible, durable soles that maintain their shape over time. These timeless sneakers are available in various styles, from slip-ons and mules to low-cut lace-ups and high-top all-weather options. The latter designs are especially practical, featuring rubber sides bonded seamlessly to canvas uppers, making them ideal for yearround wear – rain or shine. 

Best for: Sweatshirts

If you’re on the hunt for a well-curated selection of vintage finds, elevated basics and chic home accessories, make a beeline for Front 11201 in trendy Yoyogi Hachiman. The shop offers a vast selection of vintage items from the 1940s to the 2000s, all sourced from the States and Europe.

Aside from vintage threads, the boutique stocks Front 11201’s very own house brand of unisex tank tops, tees, hoodies, sweats and collared shirts – all of which are made in Japan. We especially love the feel of the classic cotton sweatshirts, crafted from Front 11201’s original fabric. The material is soft with a distinctive springy texture that delivers exceptional comfort. These sweatshirts are a seasonal staple and return each season in different colours.

Best for: Denim jeans

Momotaro Jeans has a fascinating origin story rooted in both the ‘birthplace’ of Japanese denim and a beloved folk tale. The brand hails from Kojima in Okayama prefecture, a city renowned for its high-quality denim craftsmanship. One of Momotaro’s signature details is the pair of white stripes often painted on the back pocket – an homage to the legendary character Momotaro, who also hailed from Okayama and who carried a flag marked with two white lines.

At the Aoyama boutique, you’ll find the brand’s full line-up of premium denim pieces including jeans, jackets and shirts. Momotaro denim is made from Zimbabwe cotton, prized for its soft feel, durability and the way it develops a unique fade over time with more and more wear. You can also find jeans made with a blend of other luxurious materials such as silk and cashmere. One standout feature of Momotaro denim is its ‘Tokuno Blue’ – a deep, rich indigo created through multiple rounds of dyeing. The brand also offers a lifetime repair warranty, ensuring your jeans are built to last.

Masunaga1905 has been producing highquality eyewear in Fukui prefecture for over a century. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, the brand continues to innovate while maintaining its rich heritage. At its Shimokitazawa boutique, Masunaga embraces modern technology with a cutting edge, non-contact shopping experience – a unique and hygienic way to find your perfect pair of frames.

Here’s how it works: instead of physically trying on glasses, a specialised device equipped with nine cameras captures a 180-degree image of your face. It precisely measures the distance between your pupils and the height of your eyes to create a detailed 3D avatar. You can then virtually try on different frames, seeing how each style fits your unique features. You’ll never look at glasses shopping the same way again.