Garmentory Guides: Tokyo
It feels like everyone’s heading to Tokyo these days, and honestly, we get it. The city’s having a serious moment, with its mix of next-level food, cool vintage shopping, and that unmistakable buzz that hits the second you step out of the station. You could spend a lifetime in Tokyo eating, shopping, and exploring, and still barely scratch the surface. From tiny ramen counters to high-end sushi bars, neon-soaked streets to quiet shrines hidden in the trees, there’s always something to discover. We've assembled some of our favorite finds for your next Japanese adventure, below.
Sightseeing
teamLab Planets
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This immersive art museum is like stepping into a dream. You’ll wade through knee-deep water, walk on mirrored floors, and get lost in glowing flowers that react to your movement. While the visuals are ideal for Instagram images, this is far from a selfie museum—it's a true artistic experience unlike any other.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
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Tucked inside a lush forest between Harajuku and Shibuya, Meiji Jingu feels worlds away from the bustle of Tokyo. The long gravel path leading to the shrine passes beneath massive wooden torii gates—each one marking your transition into a sacred space. Built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, the shrine is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto sites, where people come to offer prayers, write wishes on wooden plaques, and take a quiet moment to reset before diving back into city life.
Shibuya Crossing
The absolute opposite experience of the Meiji Shrine, walking through Shibuya Crossing is chaotic, iconic, and one of those “you’re really in Tokyo” moments. Hundreds of people cross in every direction, lights flashing from all sides, and somehow it all works. Stand in the middle for a second and take it in—it’s organized chaos at its finest. Get a different perspective at Shibuya Sky, an open-air observation deck on the 47th floor above the crossing.
Restaurants
Tsukiji Market
Tokyo's oldest, most famous fish market is a feast for all the senses. While the main wholesale fish market with the daily tuna auction moved a few miles away, Tsukiji is still filled with over 400 food stalls hawking everything from fresh, affordable sushi to roast wagyu sandwiches, grilled eel, matcha lattes, seasonal fruits, and soft serve. It's a great place to try something new, like sea urchin (uni) and huge Hokkaido oysters.
Mon Cher Ton Ton
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This gorgeous, unironically retro teppanyaki spot is pure theater—think wagyu sizzling inches from your plate and the hypnotic sound of butter hitting the grill. The chefs are pros, the beef is unreal, and you’ll dream about those crispy garlic chips for days.
Ramen Nagi
Tiny, loud, and always packed, Ramen Nagi is an icon of the Golden Gai district, an area in Shinjuku with six narrow alleys filled with small bars and restaurants. Their famous niboshi (dried sardine) broth is deep, savory, and a little funky—in the best way.
Manten Sushi
Hidden in a quiet corner of Marunouchi, Manten feels calm and intimate—just a handful of seats and chefs who know exactly what they’re doing. It’s omakase-style, so you sit back and trust them. Every piece of sushi is perfectly balanced and somehow better than the last.
Menchirashi
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There are other things on the menu at Menchirashi, but most everyone is lined up for one specific delicious dish: carbonara udon. Thick, chewy udon noodles are topped with a rich egg yolk, a mound of freshly grated parmesan, and crispy pancetta. Swirl it all together for a Japanese-Italian fusion that'll make you forget you just waited in line for an hour.
Ginza Akebono
This traditional Japanese confectionery has been selling sweet treats for over 60 years. The daifuku (mochi treats filled with sweet red bean paste) are outstanding and come in seasonal varieties like strawberries in spring, Muscat grapes, apricots, and chestnuts. The line can get long, especially during strawberry season, but it's well worth waiting for Ginza's best treats.
Flippers
Interested in eating a breakfast of clouds? The kiseki soufflé pancakes at Flippers (multiple locations) are light, fluffy, and extremely decadent, no matter how you top them. Traditional breakfast lovers will also be delighted with a menu of egg dishes and brunch classics. Don't skip the seasonal specials.
Vintage
RAGTAG
If you love designer finds but not designer prices, RAGTAG is your spot. It’s packed with gently used pieces from a range of designers like Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, and Sacai from Japan, and big-name brands like Marni, Prada, and Gucci. Everything’s in excellent condition, and the staff actually knows their fashion, so it’s easy to lose an hour (or three) at one of the many locations.
Casanova Vintage
A favorite stop for celebrities seeking rare designer bags, Caasnova feels like more of a fashion archive than a shop. The racks are full of rare runway pieces, statement accessories, and bold '90s designer looks. It can be pricey, yes—but even if you’re browsing, it’s worth stopping by to see the kind of vintage dreams are made of.
Chicago
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On the thriftier side of Tokyo's vintage collections, Chicago is bright, quirky, and full of treasures. You’ll find everything from old-school kimonos and Levi’s to varsity jackets and perfectly worn-in tees, all at solid prices. It’s the kind of place where you never know what you’ll find, which is exactly the point.
Japanese Designers on Garmentory
and wander
And Wander, founded in Tokyo in 2011, is an outdoor brand that seamlessly blends the realms of fashion and exploration. Inspired by the Japanese mountains, designers Keita Ikeuchi and Mihoko Mori infuse their collection of clothing and bags with a distinct fusion of urban style and outdoor functionality. Embrace And Wander's unique approach to experiencing the outdoors, tailored for both the city and beyond.
Visvim
Considerably respected and rapidly devoured by the fashion world, Tokyo’s Visvim has earned a cult status (and it’s really big cult). Designer Hiroki Nakamura founded the brand back in 2002, inspired by the world over, with a soft spot for traditional Native American clothing. Its iconic moccasin sneaker is testament to just that, which you’ve probably seen on your local hypebeast.
Blue Blue Japan
As the name suggests, Big Blue Japan has a thing for indigo dye, a traditional Japanese dyeing color and technique. Since their inception in 1996, however, they’ve expanded to an ever-so-slightly larger color palette. With firm roots in traditional tailoring and silhouettes, Big Blue Japan creates classic pieces with interesting patterns and compelling details. The clothing is meant to be visually exciting but still completely wearable, resulting in small effects like monochrome embroidery and little safety pins with ribbons attached. Even the details have details.
Needles
There’s a saying that speculates if you want to break the rules, you need to know them first. The team behind Japanese label Needles clearly knows this adage well. Needles is forward thinking in a way that doesn’t hit you over the head—they may use premium fabrics you’ve never felt before to craft a parka that looks otherwise familiar, or add a few subtle, unexpected details to a pair of trousers. But beneath it all is a keen understanding of construction and quality that inspires trust that the Needles team knows what they’re doing. That—and the enthusiastic world of devoted Japanese fashion fanatics—is enough to elevate Needles to cult brand status.
