The Latest on the Shimokitazawa Thrift Scene

CIRCULABLE SUPPLY Shimokitazawa, Notime Shimokitazawa, Shimokitazawa Flea Market

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Shopping vintage clothes? Check out Shimokitazawa (a.k.a. "Shimokita"), a top destination for not just thrifting but music, theater, and restaurants that draw crowds. Just three minutes by train from Shibuya and seven minutes from Shinjuku, this area of western Tokyo has a bohemian vibe with many eclectic shops selling everything from clothes to records to novelty items. Shimokitazawa vintage shops come in a broad array, ranging from large outlets with wide selections and low prices to tiny alleyway boutiques offering fashions hard to find anywhere else. The eco-friendly mindset is on the rise here as well, with more shops putting sustainability and ethical consumption at the center of their businesses. Here are two new stores on the front lines of Shimokitazawa vintage shopping, plus the neighborhood's one-of-a-kind flea market, where you can find clothing, handicrafts, and much more.

Championing sustainability through fashion — CIRCULABLE SUPPLY Shimokitazawa

Opened in April 2025, CIRCULABLE SUPPLY Shimokitazawa is located a 5-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station and represents the new frontier of vintage shopping. It is the flagship secondhand shop of Baycrew's, a major Japanese apparel company, launched with the aim of realizing a sustainable, recycling-oriented society through fashion. Much admired by young Japanese fashionistas, Baycrew's is known for carrying popular labels like Journal Standard and Deuxieme Classe. A seasonally updated collection of around 1,500 to 2,000 items features classy yet casual apparel. A large part of the selection is purchased from the personal wardrobes of Baycrew's employees. Often new seasonal items are available in the store before they go on sale elsewhere. You may even be able to find popular items that have already sold out at other shops. The in-house recycling system is an example of sustainable action by staff members, who purchase many of their own new pieces each season.

In addition to clothing, merchandise including jewelry, shoes, wallets, and bags is relatively "young" for thrifted goods, and all of it is in great condition. Items are chosen according to high standards for cleanliness and wear-and-tear, so what makes it onto the racks could easily pass for new.

CIRCULABLE SUPPLY Shimokitazawa's collection is characterized by neutral colors and playful, colorful accents. Besides Baycrew's products, luxury import brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, Japanese names like Issey Miyake and Undercover, street wear designers like Supreme, and sporting labels such as Nike line the shelves. The men's section offers vintage Levi's denim.

As a commitment to sustainability, soon after opening CIRCULABLE SUPPLY began buying from the general public to kickstart a virtuous cycle of reducing waste and fully enter the reuse market. The store also participates in a recycling system called "Passto" that collects items like clothes, accessories, and hobby items that for various reasons could not be purchased. Goods collected from a special box in the store are carefully sorted and reused or recycled by businesses able to properly dispose of them.

CIRCULABLE SUPPLY Shimokitazawa is one of the first places you should visit when you want to incorporate fashions currently popular with Japan's youth while being mindful of your impact on the environment.

A thrift store open around the clock with staffed and unstaffed hours — Notime Shimokitazawa

Wander winding streets filled with laidback shops and cafés to Notime Shimokitazawa, just a 1-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station. Opened in April 2025, this cozy reseller has the feel of a classic thrift boutique but with a futuristic twist—it stays open 24 hours. Clerks are in attendance from noon to 21:00, after which the store is unstaffed through the night until noon the next day. To enter during their unstaffed hours, simply scan the two-dimensional code at the door with your phone, register with the official LINE account, and enjoy browsing. Instructions in English by the register make self-checkout easy. Importantly, you can shop with peace of mind knowing security cameras are monitoring at all hours.

The clothing selection skews toward casual street fashions with an emphasis on men's wear. Lovers of subculture will appreciate affordable T-shirts printed with popular band names, anime characters, and movie titles. Upstairs, you'll find polo shirts, jeans, and more graphic tees. The staff is well-versed in vintage and can introduce you to authentic retro treasures such as an Adidas track jacket made in France in the 1970s.

The store takes recycling seriously, carefully washing and repairing the used clothes it buys at auction to give every piece the chance at a second life. Charming antique pins and keychains for 400 yen and 500 yen make for unique and budget-friendly souvenirs.

Notime Shimokitazawa is the first used clothing store in Japan to introduce a hybrid system of staffed and unstaffed operations. During the day shift, you can interact with the staff using simple English or a translation app. If you are jet-lagged at night and can't sleep, or if you hope to finish your shopping early in the morning, or if you want to end a full night of Shimokitazawa fun with thrifting, pay a visit during unstaffed hours.

Hunting unique treasures in a vintage mecca — Shimokitazawa Flea Market

If you're looking to soak up Shimokita vibes while scoring some great finds, head to the Shimokitazawa Flea Market. It's held from the afternoon on weekends and national holidays at the Shimokita Senrogai Akichi outdoor lot, roughly a 4-minute walk from Shimo-Kitazawa Station. Featuring a changing lineup of around 30 vendors selling vintage clothing, handmade crafts, accessories, and rare imported items, this event draws around 10,000 visitors each session with its one-of-a-kind selection and friendly atmosphere.

Shimokita Senrogai is a 1.7-kilometer strip of commercial space at the site of a former railway line. Stretching between the Higashi-Kitazawa and Setagaya-Daita stations, it was created when the Odakyu Line moved underground in 2013. Today, it's home to a trendy mix of shops, restaurants, and hotels. The flea market launched here in July 2023 and has gained popularity quickly. Around 40 percent of the vendors come from the area or nearby. Participation by popular local vintage retailers like Lanp by Valon ensures items are high quality and have real Shimokita style.

Most booths are staffed by individual people or businesses, so you're likely to find something special rather than mass-produced. The market’s organizers also embrace the DIY ethos—the lot is packed with the handmade creations of craftspeople and artists. Just rummaging through these original gems and engaging with their makers—many of them Shimokita residents—is a joy all its own. If shopping leaves you feeling hungry, grab a bite at food trucks serving up treats like tacos and burgers.

Shimokitazawa Flea Market's dates and hours vary by month, so please check its bilingual Instagram account for information.