Shopping for JRock in Tokyo
by Sarah
Were you ever the one flipping through the pages of Shoxx and Cure and Gothic & Lolita Bible and just thinking about how you could make your wardrobe stand out like that? Or you cosplayed as alice nine. more for the reason that you wanted their clothes rather than wanting to be them? Well, to be honest, I prefer stranger fashion (of the gyaru kind), but it was inevitable I’d discover crazy punk throw-togethers and Lolita dresses while shopping in the world’s most insane fashion mecca, Tokyo.
First, if you haven’t heard by now Harajuku is “super kawaii” (or so the song says). True to its history in the pages of FRUiTs and the inspiration of designers like Milk, h. NAOTO, and Angelic Pretty, Harajuku exceeds its own reputation. It is at the forefront of gothic Lolita clothing and is a paradise for fashion followers and those looking for something a little more avant garde.
Takeshita Dori Street: This busy street is very small and generally very crowded, but it’s a must-visit for anyone visiting Harajuku for the first time and for anyone looking for somewhat affordable but unique clothing. The number of shops is staggering, but they’re not all one right next to the other, the way a mall is set up. There are shops down small side streets, shops within shops, shops above and below shops.... Any tall building is usually housing several shops that you can reach by elevator.
Most of the shops are independent stores that carry many brands, but the variety of clothing to be found is unlimited.
SET POT ReVeNGe, located down a small side street off of Takeshita Dori street, is a store dedicated entirely to grundgey punk / gothic rock fashion. It doesn’t really touch upon Lolita, but you can find a lot of interesting and vulgar shirts here. The clothes are heavy on chains, black, lace, and tees that would make adults flip a shit (almost all the shirts here and in every other store have phrases and words printed on them in English). Most of the tops and pants are color coordinated with black. So yes, you will see a lot of black in this store but it’s usually paired with another color like pink or purple.
Modeled often by: An Café, 12012, Vidoll
Website: http://www.sexpot-revenge.com/
Where YOU can buy their clothes: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/apparel/sexpot.html
Bodyline, located above an urban clothing store on Takeshita Dori street, is a store featuring a wide variety of Lolita fashion. Here you can find Wa Lolita, Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, and Punk Lolita. The accessories include tiny hats, headpieces, bonnets, socks, shoes, and the clothes are spread out to incorporate matching tops and bottoms, mix-and-match ups, petticoats, one-pieces, coats, even contacts to complete the look! Compared to brand Lolita stores, Bodyline is a fairly big store, but the variety is endless. I am a firm believer that you should buy stuff that looks good on you and that will make people go “Wow you look so cute!” Bodyline is not one for Lolita lovers who need the highest quality fabrics and intricate details of every sort, but if that’s not you then you could settle for the affordable clothes offered by Bodyline.
Website: http://www.rakuten.co.jp/bodyline/
Where YOU can buy their clothes: http://www.cosmates.jp/shop/index/cp-43_78.html
ACDC is one of those “hidden” stores that only those keeping their eyes up as well as down would find. It’s a hoodie-lover’s paradise! 90% of the clothing consists of hooded sweatshirts, tees, and vests. What’s more is no pattern or style is the same as the next one. Every hoodie is unique to ACDC. A hoodie is practically the staple of current American “fashion” (as we really have nothing else), but think of the hoodies here as being given the FRUiTs fashion-forward treatment. Decora fans and colorful pattern-loving fashion fiends are recommended to give ACDC a visit (just be sure to keep a heavy eye out as it is hidden).
Website: N/A
Where YOU can buy their clothes: (try http://www.asiajam.com/)
Daicho is a chain store that sells Chinese goods. It’s very affordable, one of the most affordable stores (if not the most affordable) in Japan. Harajuku has its own Daicho close to the entrance near the end of a narrow side street. Everything from fur-lined clocks to skull patterned shoes can be found here, and you don’t have to worry about overspending… unless of course you overbuy (tip: don’t buy the whole store). Don’t get this confused with Daiso! Daiso is a 100 Yen store, also good for hunting bargains, not so much for hunting fashion accesories…
If it’s crazy accessories you want, try Thank You Mart for some unique items you won’t find anywhere else and at creepily affordable prices.
Takeshita Dori street is a busy fashion avenue with many “hidden” stores down narrow side streets. If you’ve got the time to explore, don’t ignore the side streets. They contain some of the more rare accessories. One such outdoor venue sells replica Jrock costumes (The Gazette, old school Dir en Grey), hoodies and tees with your favorite bands’ names printed on them. And although idol shops may look like they cater only to the Johnny’s Entertainment fans, idol shops also sell photographs of Jrock stars such as Dir en Grey, Hyde, Gackt, X Japan, Miyavi, The Gazette, among many, many others. You can also find keychains, cell phone straps and lighters from your favorite bands. None of these are official! But if you’re a fan, back in the States, at least you have something to show that you ARE a fan!
Since these are very independent stores, the best place to find stuff like this is to keep an eye on Ebay, Garage Sale Japan, or if you’re feeling up for the challenge try the Japanese “auction” system.
Yahoo! Japan auctions: http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/
If you don’t have the resources to bid on Yahoo! Japan auctions, try the following website, MBOK. They will bid for you!
MBOK: http://www.celga.com/mbok.html
Summing up some of the other stores,
Book-Off: Used CDs / DVDs / Books
Brand X: Gothic Lolita, Classic Lolita, Punk / Gothic / Alternative clothing
Closet Child: Used Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, Classic Lolita, Punk Lolita, etc.
Mari’s Rock: Punk / Gothic / Alternative clothing
Popland: Visual Kei goods, Gothic / Punk accessories
RECOFAN: Used CDs (Good Jrock selection)
Rock Love Harajuku: Jrock CDs
Omotesando Street: Just around the corner (not quite literally speaking – you have to walk a bit), is Omotesando Street. Unless you’re into high-priced fashion must-haves (the Louis Vuitton bag, the Burberry scarf), then you’re not going to find much here, but Omotesando Street has its own hidden gems.
LAFORET is a mall that houses some of the most famous and widely utilized alternative clothing labels (most are conveniently located on the lowest floor) such as: Atelier Pierrot, Angelic Pretty, Alice & The Pirates, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, h. NAOTO, Sexy Dynamite London, Black Labaratory, Putumayo, Victorian Maiden, Juliette et Justine, Emily Temple Cute, Hysteric Glamour … just to name a few. No matter where you turn you will ultimately find something that crows to your inner fashion nerd. However be warned, the stores in LaForet are not cheap. Best to be on the look out for sales (their largest blow-out sale occurs in mid-late July).
Summing up the stores…
Alice and The Pirates: Classic Lolita, Punk Lolita
(store also contains Baby the Stars Shine Bright: Sweet Lolita)
Angelic Pretty: Sweet Lolita
Atelier Pierrot: Gothic Aristocrat
Baby the Stars Shine Bright: Sweet Lolita
Black Labaratory: Punk / Alternative
h.NAOTO: Gothic / Punk clothing, Punk Lolita
Putumayo: Punk / Alternative, Gothic Lolita, Punk Lolita
Sexy Dynamite London: Punk / Alternative
Continue on down from Omotesando Street and you will eventually reach Shibuya, where the two most essential stores for the Jrock fan to visit are HMV and Tower Records. Occasionally bands will have a promotional event at both or one of these famous record stores. It’s also the place to go if you want what’s current on the JRock scene. Between these two stores and previously mentioned Book-Off, Rock Love Harajuku, and RECOFAN you will probably never have to shop for Jrock cds ever again.
photos by:
SEX POT ReVeNGe: Mads Haahr
Bodyline: m1a9366b
ACDC: Tae Woo Kim
