The outside looks like your typical store – but this gives you an idea of the size of the store. There are about 3 street-facing windows. So you can imagine how much stock they have.
Japan is my favourite place for vintage because the Japanese seem to value quality more than anywhere else I’ve travelled (so far). From food, to clothing, to customer service, they have a high standard that carries through to even second-hand shopping.
The Japanese aesthetic is to appreciate quality, regardless of age. Sometimes, even more because of its age. They also appreciate older clothes, fashion and design, so they tend to recycle and resell vintage rather than throwing it out. They also take good care of their new clothes and accessories which mean that the resold items are in very good condition. In Japan, there is a huge local demand and market for vintage and second-hand clothes that goes beyond a passing trend.
And the size of Japan’s population means there is an abundance of second-hand stores. Oh, and the clothes and shoes are usually in my size. WIN!
I’ve written about an awesome second-hand store in Kyoto, and I’m always on the hunt for great second-hand or vintage stores wherever I am, even in an incredibly expensive city, like Paris. Second-hand stores allow you to feel more like a local than a tourist. By shopping in these stores, you get out of the manic tourist areas to feel more a part of the city/ town you’re visiting, creating a memory that is more immersive than mere sight-seeing.
And the items you find at these stores will always have the thrill of luck, of treasure, of a surprise…more meaningful than an item bought at a retail chain.
This was my first visit to Niigata (Jan 2016), and I wasn’t really expecting to find such a good second-hand store as it’s a smaller town compare to Kyoto or Tokyo. But happily, Niigata, like every else in Japan, seems to have a fondness for second-hand and vintage.
DESERT SNOW is a store that seems to have a slight Americana-Western bent. There’s Yeezy next to Adidas and Puma, and their men’s denim section takes up an entire wall space. There seems to be more men’s wear – with lots of shoes (from brogues to desert boots), but the women’s section was curated well with on-trend items and a great selection of luxury accessories (Tiffany jewellery blue boxes overload)!
DESERT SNOW has an Instagram and Twitter account but note that it is all in Japanese, and my Nihon-go is awful. So if you want to hit them up, you may need Japanese skills or Google translate.
The women’s sections was well-stocked and arranged well. The styling was quite varied – from the granny-chic pearls+beret to the off-duty norm core. Lots of accessories, too. So a good selection to choose from.
In the women’s section looking back to the front of the store.
Women’s accessories – CHANEL, Feragamo etc. If you’re into LUXE, Japan is your haven. These items look untouched and in perfect condition WITH their boxes.
Look at all those little blue Tiffany jewellery boxes! Again, people in Japan know how to take care of their stuff so this type of range is not uncommon in second-hand stores in Japan… So if you want a REAL bargain, start second-hand shopping here!
In the men’s section at the very back of the store looking to the front. As you can see the store is pretty big. And the men’s section is MUCH larger than the women’s section. So gents, this might be where you find your perfect threads!
A slightly different angle so you can see the huge amount of sneakers they have lined up. KICKS central!
DESERT SNOW is worth a visit if you’re in town as it has a huge range: from local Japanese brands like United Arrows to vintage denim jackets and jeans, and luxury brands like Gucci. And if you’re a dude who loves denim and shoes – this is your place.
The road that DESSERT SNOW is on has a few other smaller second-hand clothes stores, and they mostly stock men’s clothes. So if you’re a guy who likes value, vintage, thrifting, bargains and brands, keep your eyes peeled in Niigata!
I am not paid by any of the stores I blog about. And I didn’t buy anything from DESERT SNOW because I just didn’t find anything I liked in the time I was there. It’s not always about finding something. 🙂 But I am passionate about ethical and sustainable shopping, and I want to encourage more people to try second-hand and vintage shopping, especially when travelling. The quality and range of DESERT SNOW was pretty sweet, so that’s why I’m blogging about them.
If you’ve never tried second-hand clothes shopping before, Japan is your place to start. The stores are clean, well organised, well-styled and curated with a keen eye for contemporary fashion. You will find something of quality and you will be able to wear it back home without looking like a costume party. And the price is always more reasonable than a vintage store in New York or London. So, please do yourself a favour and check out vintage and second-hand stores when you’re in Japan!
For Tokyo’s best vintage and used fashion boutiques, head to where the locals shop, to the suburb of Koenji.