Ragtag
Photo: Ragtag
Photo: Ragtag

How and where to sell your second-hand and used clothing in Tokyo

Give your old clothes a second life, or go thrifting for fashion at these consignment and vintage stores in Tokyo

Kaila Imada
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Tokyo is home to a thriving vintage and consignment retail scene – there are even neighbourhoods known specifically for their second-hand shops like Shimokitazawa. A plus about consignment shopping in Tokyo – or Japan for that matter – is that generally, most items are in very good condition, which is ideal if you’re on the hunt for designer fashion. Regardless, there are tons of great finds whether you're on the hunt for a bargain or quality designer goods.

If you’re tidying your closet and looking to sell rather than to buy, you’ll be glad to know that it’s really simple to consign your items in Tokyo. You’ll also get cash on the spot after your items are appraised, so you won’t have to wait for them to sell. Some stores offer payment in store credit rather than cash, so a quick selling trip could easily turn into a buying spree.

How to sell your second-hand clothes in Tokyo

If you'd like to offload some of your old clothing and accessories, here's a general breakdown of how to consign your items in Tokyo.

1. Bring your items to the store along with some form of ID, like your residence card (or passport).

2. You’ll have to wait for your items to be appraised. If the store needs more time, you might have to leave a phone number so the staff can call you when they’re ready.

3. You’ll receive an itemised list detailing the target resale price along with the percentage of your cut.

4. Be sure you’re ready to part with any items you bring in. While most stores will let you pick and choose what to sell or take back with you, some will only buy the whole lot, so you won’t see your items again after dropping them off.

5. Think about what you’re selling, too. If it’s more high-end designer labels, head to a shop that carries similar items for a better buy-back price. Do note that most stores only take things for the current season, so don’t expect to sell winter coats in summer.

Designer consignment

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  • Shibuya

Rinkan specialises in designer clothing, accessories and sneakers. There are a few Rinkan shops around the city, each offering a well-curated selection of luxury labels from Japan and abroad. The Shibuya location, also the flagship store, features sleek interiors and well-designed display cases that will make you feel like you’re in a designer boutique. The selection here ranges from Dior tees and ready-to-wear Louis Vuitton to Hermès jewellery and cult sneakers.

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  • Harajuku

You can easily find Ragtag around Tokyo, with locations in Shibuya, Shimokitazawa and even Kichijoji. The selection here is mainly designer, and you can get some really good deals especially if you’re on the hunt for Japanese labels such as Sacai or Issey Miyake. The Cat Street outlet is the largest, with floors dedicated to menswear, women’s fashion and even one just for designer handbags. The menswear section contains a sizeable selection of streetwear, especially from Supreme, Off White and Yeezy.

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  • Shimokitazawa

Bazzstore has a number of outlets across the city, including in Harajuku and Shimokitazawa. The shop carries a wide range of clothes, from Zara basics to rare collabs and coveted Japanese labels such as Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto. Alexander Wang handbags and Balenciaga wallets can often be found amongst the shelves, and the shop usually carries a decent selection of sneakers and accessories.

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  • Nakameguro

For high-end fashion that won’t break the bank, Kindal is a great spot to shop for designer bargains. The shop curates its selection well, so you know you’re getting consignment goods that won’t fall apart after one wear. If you’re looking to sell, one bonus of going with Kindal is that the buying policy is quite flexible –  you can send your items to them via post instead of coming to a store in person.

General consignment

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  • Harajuku

This expansive thrift store might be a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s definitely worth exploring fully. Prices here are reasonable, and you’ll get a mix of contemporary fashion, vintage duds and even cheap costume jewellery.

The range is heavy on the trends, so if you’re looking to stock up on cheap Hawaiian shirts or tie-dye tees, this is your spot. Don’t miss the rack of Japanese souvenir jackets, or sukajan, which may contain a hidden treasure or two. There’s even a selection of used kimono, too.

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  • Koenji

Treasure Factory Style is a good place to start your Tokyo thrift adventure. The store offers a mix of contemporary designer and non-designer clothing and footwear for men and women. There’s also a fair number of handbags, accessories and even backpacks. Keep an eye on this Koenji store for some designer steals or maybe a pair of rare limited edition Nike sneakers in its bargain pile.

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  • Shimokitazawa

Exchange by name, exchange by nature: this spacious store sells imported, non-branded used clothing, while also buying in items from customers, or even allowing them to swap threads they no longer want for pieces from the store. Clothes have to meet a certain standard, mind you, so showing up with a sack of baggy old T-shirts probably isn’t going to get you much more than a raised eyebrow.

Look out for the sales on the first Sunday of every month, when everything is marked down to half price.

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  • Shimokitazawa

2nd Street has a number of locations around Tokyo, but the two-floor Shimokitazawa outlet is hard to beat. Offering designer duds on the first floor and general fashion up on the second, there’s something for everyone and every budget.

For a consignment store stocking countless items, the shop is surprisingly well organised and you can easily shop for items by category and colour. For vintage lovers, there are often a few vintage items thrown into the mix as well. The store holds frequent sales and campaigns, so it's worth stopping by every once in a while to see what bargains are in store.

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  • Shimokitazawa

If you’re shopping on a budget, Mode Off is a great place to snag some deals. The chain has stores scattered all around Tokyo, carrying a hodgepodge of second-hand clothing, shoes and accessories, with a few designer pieces thrown into the mix. The Setagaya location encompasses two floors with menswear on the first and womenswear on the second. Unlike most consignment stores, which typically don’t take clothing from fast fashion stores like Uniqlo or H&M, Mode Off will take virtually anything off your hands, regardless of the brand.

Alternatively, you can also buy and drop off clothing at Mode Off's sister store, Book Off.

More shopping in Tokyo

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