Y ou don’t need a degree in fashion to understand why people from outside Japan have long admired Japanese labels.
The Japanese are well known for their vision and creativity when it comes to clothes.
Japanese designers and fashion brands tend to be cutting edge, leading the latest trends in the fashion world while still paying homage to Japanese culture.
In addition to being avant garde, Japanese clothing brands are known for offering high quality craftsmanship and excellent quality.
But while Japan has been a breeding ground for some of the world’s most creative and innovative fashion for decades, many Japanese brands still fly under the radar for Western shoppers.
To help shed some light on them, we’ve rounded up some of the best Japanese brands, stores, and fashion designers where you can find unique, fashion-forward clothes to elevate your personal style.
The 21 Top Japanese Clothing Stores & Brands
Looking for some cool Japanese clothing brands to get on your radar? Here’s the names you should know.
BAPE
Founded by disc jockey and record producer Nigo in 1993, BAPE (A Bathing Ape) is one of the best Japanese streetwear brands in the fashion industry today.
(Streetwear is huge in Japan, so be prepared for a lot of if in this list.)
BAPE is most famous for its iconic camouflage patterns, ape head logo, and shark hoodie design, which have been sported by a slew of American hip hop artists and rappers who helped bring the brand to the mainstream.
The line offers casual streetwear at high-end prices (think t-shirts, hoodies, pants, and accessories), and often collaborates on exclusive drops with major brands and celebs.
Visvim
Focused on exceptional designs that not only look great but stand the test of time, Visvim is arguably one of the overall luxury brands on the list.
It was a favorite brand of Kanye West (prior to all the controversy), whose early interest helped turn it into one of the most popular clothing brands of the past two decades.
But be warned:
With Visvim’s high-end quality and hype, don’t be surprised by prices that are quite a bit higher than other Japanese fashion labels, and more in line with international luxury brands.
Ambush
Founded by husband-and-wife team Yoon and Verbal in 2008, contemporary fashion label Ambush originally began as a jewelry line before expanding into a full-fledged clothing brand.
Their style blends streetwear influences with high fashion, characterized by bold designs, unconventional materials, and avant-garde silhouettes.
It’s this unique aesthetic that garnered the brand a global following, making Ambush a favorite among fashion-forward individuals and celebrities alike.
Auralee
My personal favorite on the list (I can’t resist a neutral color palette), Auralee is the creation of Tokyo-based fashion designer Ryota Iwai.
The vibe is understated elegance meets urban chic (Is that thing? It is now.), offering versatile essential pieces that look both effortlessly cool and sophisticated.
With its natural materials, clean lines, and soft hues, Auralee is perfect for the fashion lover whose style is chill and refined.
Human Made
Founded in 2010 by Nigo, the same mastermind behind BAPE, Human Made stands out from other Japanese streetwear brands thanks to its blend of vintage Americana with a fresh, Japanese twist.
(It’s also worth noting the brand has also collaborated with Adidas in recent years.)
Compared to other major Japanese streetwear brands, the prices can vary; some items might be more accessible, while others, especially collaboration pieces or limited releases, can be quite expensive.
And Wander
With a name like And Wander it’s no surprise that this is primarily an outdoor apparel company.
Established in 2010 by Ketia Ikeuchi and Mihoko Mori, they launched their brand and Wander to create durable, light-weight and element resistant clothing.
They specialize in making clothes for activities like hiking, backpacking and really anything outdoors.
White Mountaineering
Another outdoor apparel company, White Mountaineering creates garments that are fashionable while still protecting you from the elements.
Their pieces combine weather-resistant fabrics with an intricate design language, resulting in clothes that are strong enough for mountain research, but stylish enough for the streets.
Apart from the parkas that they craft, this Japanese company has dove into the world of streetwear, pumping out clothing items that are different from other urban clothing competitors.
Check Out White Mountaineering ➤
Kapital
Kapital is a Japanese fashion brand renowned for its unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and eclectic design.
Established in Kojima, Okayama, an area known as Japan’s “Denim Capital” (hence brand’s name), Kapital initially focused on denim before expanding into a wide range of apparel.
The brand uses intricate and innovative techniques that pay homage to Japanese heritage while pushing the boundaries of modern fashion with a distinct, unconventional aesthetic.
Did you know…?
Japanese denim is renowned worldwide for its high quality and craftsmanship, tracing its roots back to the post-World War II era and America’s influence on Japanese pop culture.
Cities like Kojima in Okayama became pivotal in the development of Japanese denim, leveraging traditional weaving techniques and indigo dyeing methods to create unique, durable fabrics.
This meticulous craftsmanship has earned Japanese denim a global following among fashion enthusiasts and denim connoisseurs, setting a benchmark for quality and innovation in the textile industry.
Yohji Yamamoto
First debuting in 1977, designer Yohji Yamamoto is one of Japan’s most influential fashion figures, known for hise haute couture inspired creations and master tailoring.
He’s had a number of fashion labels and collaborations over the years, but his most iconic labels, Yohji Yamamoto and Y’s, are beloved for their oversized silhouettes, monochromatic color schemes, and blend of texture and layers.
Quick sticker shock warning: These are high-end brands with high-end prices, but it’s worth checking out if you want to invest in some unique pieces.
Sacai
Known for blending streetwear with high fashion, Sacai’s designs, like a lot of Japanese fashion, stand out for their avant-garde aesthetic.
(But you may be most familiar with the brand’s iconic collabs with Nike.)
When it comes to non-sneaker fashion, Sacai uses a fusion of fabrics and unique silhouettes in its diverse range of apparel that includes outerwear, knitwear, dresses, and skirts.
Just keep in mind it’s a luxury brand — and a favorite among fashion aficionados and celebrities — so, expect to pay luxury prices.
Comme des Garcons
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, this one likely needs no introduction.
Comme des Garcons, founded by designer Rei Kawakubo in 1969, is an iconic high-end brand synonymous in the fashion world with innovation and avante-gard designs, often incorporating asymmetrical shapes, distressed fabrics and a “ragged-chic” aesthetic.
On the mainstream stage, it’s probably best known for PLAY, a diffusion line of casual clothes and streetwear, branded with a signature cartoon heart logo.
Issey Miyake
A household name in the world of fashion, late Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake is one you’ve likely heard of.
Known for his popular fragrances as well as his high-fashion creations on the catwalk of Paris Fashion Week, Issey Miyake is considered a pioneer of contemporary fashion thanks to his innovative use of technology, fabrics, and origami-like pleating techniques.
His high-end ready-to-wear clothing leans towards a minimalist aesthetic, with clean lines, muted colors, and loose-fitting fabrics, creating a chic, fashion-forward look.
Undercover
This high-end Japanese streetwear brand is renowned for its avant-garde, punk-influenced designs that blend street culture with high fashion.
Their ready-to-wear line is often characterized by unique graphics, bold patterns, and distressed denim with lots of detailing, making it a top choice for fashion lovers who like to make a statement.
Undercover is also known for its notable collaborations with other major brands from both Japan and the United States, like North Face, Nike, and Fragment Designs.
Neighborhood
Founded in 1994, Neighbourhood is another premium Japanese clothing brand that specializes in streetwear.
Known for its edgy motorcycle and military-inspired aesthetic, the brand blends Americana with Japanese craftsmanship, featuring durable materials and detailed graphics.
But like a lot of the brands on the list, the price tags reflect the high-fashion status, with t-shirts starting around $100 and outerwear going for $1000 or more.
Uniqlo
If affordability is what you want, Japanese lifestyle brand Uniqlo is the brand for you.
Basically the Japanese version of H&M, Uniqlo is known for offering essential clothing staples and pretty high-quality products, all for affordable prices.
Uniqlo has a more minimalistic and generic style than many of the flashier Japanese fashion brands, which often have a heavy influence of haute couture and high fashion.
WTAPS
Yet another premium streetwear brand, WTAPS (pronounced “double taps”), hit the Japanese fashion scene in 1996 and remains relevant among hip, young fashion lovers to this day.
Similar to brands like Neighbourhood and orSlow, WTAPS takes huge inspiration from workwear, military, and utilitarian concepts, but you’ll also find some casual clothing that border on athlesiure.
Wacko Maria
Yet another streetwear brand (you were warned), Wacko Maria is known for its eclectic, music-inspired designs, often featuring bold graphics and motifs.
Its style blends Americana with Japanese craftsmanship, appealing to a youthful, fashion-forward audience that values uniqueness, art, and style.
But like a lot of art, the price ranges are premium, reflecting the brand’s high-quality materials and detailed construction, with items often starting over $100.
Takahiro Miyashita The Soloist
Japanese designer Takahiro Miyashita launched The Soloist in 2010 just a year after he shut down his debut label, Number (N)ine.
This minimalist, monochromatic collection features clean lines and understated silhouettes elevated with rock-and-roll and punk details.
Offered by many high-end boutiques around the world, you can find his unique designs in North America, but in a premium price range.
Cav Empt
A hip streetwear brand with an interesting backstory, the idea for Cav Empt was born when the 2011 Tokyo earthquake thrust the thriving city into darkness.
Launched by graphic designer Sk8thing and music mogul Toby Feltwell, the brand is known for its distinctive graphics and designs that blend dystopian, military, and cyberpunk influences with a critique of technology and society.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the name, short for the latin term “Caveat Emptor,” translates to “buyer beware”.
Nanamica
Nanamica is the go-to brand for technical apparel that stands up to nature’s elements but still looks cool in the streets.
Specializing in high-quality outdoor apparel and accessories, they combine functional materials like GORE-TEX with contemporary designs to create stylish yet practical cothing.
Nanamica has also collaborated with various brands (like Regal, Puma, and Dr. Martens, just to name a few), further solidifying its reputation in both the fashion and outdoor industries.
Junya Watanabe
A pupil of Comme des Garçons‘s lead designer Rei Kawakubo, Watanabe is an innovative thinker who has reshaped Japanese fashion.
Apart from his work at Comme des Garçons he launched his own atelier in Tokyo and dedicated it to specialize in men’s clothing.
You can expect everyday pieces (at exorbitant prices) with a modern technical twist.
United Arrows
United Arrows is a massive upscale department store that carries a multitude of luxury clothing brands (many of which are mentioned above), but also has its own fashion label.
UA’s style is undeniably inspired by western culture, from its everyday essentials and business casual attire to more formal suits and outerwear, but with an unmistakable Japanese twist.
It can be a bit pricey, but it’s worth checking out if you want to dip a toe in the pool of Japanese fashion.
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