8 Japanese brands you need to know – and where to shop for them in Tokyo

From its glittering department stores to its hidden backstreet boutiques, it’s no secret that Tokyo is home to some of the most exciting retail destinations on the planet. So, who are the Japanese fashion designers to look out for on your next trip to the city? Whether you’ve got a penchant for established designers or would like to discover some up-and-coming labels, these are the top designers to know, and where you can shop for their works in Tokyo.

Comme des Garçons

Japanese fashion as we know it would not exist without Comme des Garçons . Rei Kawakubo, who shocked the fashion industry in Paris when she first showed her brand there in 1981, makes high-concept clothing that treads the impossible line between art and fashion. 

Where to shop: Though the brand has many shops around Tokyo, the best place to get a feel for CDG’s vast and impressive empire is in Dover Street Market Ginza , the brand’s fashion-forward department store. Stocking hundreds of global and domestic designers, you’ll also find other brands from the CDG family including Junya Watanabe, Noir Kei Ninomiya and Tao, as well as a Rose Bakery on the seventh floor.

Auralee

Founded in 2015 by designer Ryota Iwai, Auralee has recently become popular among fashion insiders for its unique take on quiet luxury. From tactile fabrics to tasteful colors –think pistachio poplin shirts or cashmere sweaters in cornflower blue – Auralee is all about simplicity and sophistication. 

Where to shop: The brand’s bright and airy flagship store , situated on a peaceful backstreet in the Minamiaoyama area, is the perfect place to soak up the ambience of the brand.

Issey Miyake

One of the most influential designers of the last century, the late Issey Miyake was a genius at innovating both silhouette and fabric, to make clothes that were (and still are) brilliantly flattering. 

Where to shop: Fans of the brand should head to Aoyama: the shopping district is home to not just one but six distinct Issey Miyake stores , from which you can shop menswear, womenswear, the iconic Pleats Please line – made up of unique pleated fabrics that stretch and warp around the body – and much more.

Visvim

Founded by Hiroki Nakamura in 2001, Visvim is popular among in-the-know menswear aficionados for its uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship examplified in a range of Americana-inspired workwear. 

Where to shop: The Visvim store in Nakameguro (perfect for cherry blossom viewing in the spring, but great all year round for its varied selection of cafes and shops) is always worth a visit. In addition to its shelves of trucker jackets, denim and durable footwear, the store also houses Little Cloud Coffee , a small coffee shop serving drinks and small desserts. It’s the ideal spot to grab a breather and look out at the Japanese garden and burbling stream that runs alongside the store.

Anrealage

The brainchild of designer Kunihiko Morinaga, Anrealage combines futuristic technology with fashion design to create unique clothing that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.  The brand’s offering is currently womenswear and unisex, with the new Anrealage Homme line launching later this year.

Where to shop: Visit the brand’s concession in the Shibuya Parco department store and watch how its sweaters or dresses change colour when exposed to UV light – an effect that Beyoncé used to wow crowds when she wore an Anrealage costume to open her Renaissance tour last year. 

Pillings

Ryota Murakami learned to knit from his mother and has used his skills to create his own brand, Pillings – a name which references the small balls of wool that can accumulate on a well-loved sweater. Working with a team of expert knitters to create unique takes on cardigans, cable-knit sweaters and more, Pillings has recently become the brand to know for fashion editors and style-conscious Tokyoites alike. 

Where to shop: The Ron Herman department store in Sendagaya is one of the brand’s biggest stockists. As well as boasting an excellent selection of menswear and womenswear, the store’s the stylish café is a great place for a lunch stop.

Hyke

Made by designer couple Hideaki Yoshihara and Yukiko Ode, Hyke makes outdoorsy staples that are both practical and elegant – just the thing for fitting in in the Japanese capital. The brand’s utilitarian womenswear is hard to find outside of Japan, meaning there’s all the more reason to pick up an item of clothing when you’re visiting. 

Where to shop: With much of the first floor populated by a jungle of plants, at first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking Biotop was a neighbourhood garden centre. Venture further inside, however, you’ll be greeted with a great selection of menswear and womenswear from Japan and beyond – including Hyke.

Porter

Porter (or Yoshida Kaban as it’s known in Japan) has a well-deserved reputation for making some of the best bags in the fashion world, trading in trustworthy, durable and stylish backpacks, duffles, wallets, briefcases and more. 

Where to shop: A trip to the Porter store in Tokyo Midtown is a must for anyone looking for an upgrade in the everyday luggage department.