Omotesando and Aoyama Travel Guide | Retail and Shopping

Omotesando and Aoyama are some of the most interesting shopping spots in Tokyo. Filled with various retail stores from high end boutiques to edgy vintage stores, there is something for everyone. As someone who is working in fashion and retail for 10 years, going through retail scene in different countries is something that always pique my interest. This time, I will take you through a walk in these two neighbourhoods.

Omotesando 

From glimmering high end boutiques to cool mid end streetwear stores, Omotesando is the place to be for some retail therapy. It can be easily accessible through the Omotesando subway station. 

Omotesando Hills is one of the notable shopping malls in the area because of its architecture.. Designed by the famous architect Tadao Ando, it has a unique levelling concept with spiral slope ascending six levels around the atrium. It has a large selection of mid to high end brands around 130 stores and also 38 luxury apartments on top of it, making it a perfect addition to the shopping district.

On the same road near Omotesando Hills are more retails stores like this Onitsuka Tiger Nippon Made which is a concept stores that sells special edition Onitsuka shoes made in Japan. You can also find cafes like the Ralph Lauren Coffee. Go further and you'll find a unique Japanese furniture and home living store, called Daft about Draft. I also visited the infamous Koffee Mameya, you can read more about it in this post here.

Across the Omotesando Hills, you’ll find Gyre where all the cool brands gather. Expect to find Chanel, Maison Margiela, Comme des Garcons, Visvim (Japanese cult footwear brand), and the MoMA Design store within the building. When I went there, there was a mini exhibition at the Gyre Gallery by Goma, titled World of Light. Don’t forget to drop by the gallery if you are an art enthusiast.

Aoyama

When you walk straight from Omotesando, you will find the neighbouring shopping district of Aoyama. Like the 5th Avenue version of Japan, you can find various retail stores lining up in the streets.

The Prada Aoyama store has a notable design with its crystalline looking green glass tower facade. Completed in 2003 by Herzog & de Mauron and Takenaka architect teams, it is one of the most distinctive works of architecture in Tokyo. The vertical cores, horizontal tubes, floor slabs, and facade grilles define the space but at the same time provide the structure and facade. It has six stories consisting of selections of menswear, womenswear, accessories, perfume, leather goods, and an exhibition space.

One of the most interesting flagship stores in Aoyama is the neighbouring Gentle Monster and Tamburins retail stores. When I went there, the new Gentle Monster x Jennie collection had just launched and the queue was quite long. Using the advancement of technology, AI, and retail space, the Gentle Monster store is like an exhibition by itself.

Vintage Stores in Omotesando and Aoyama

Tucked in the alley of both Omotesando and Ayoama area are various vintage stores. Two of the most interesting ones in my opinions are Brand Collect Omotesando and Amore Vintage Aoyama.

Brand Collect is a multi label store that has five branches and each branch sells different categories of clothing. The one in Omotesando caters on luxury fashion, but if you want to find items that are more street fashion or local brands you can go to their Harajuku branches. Amore Aoyama focuses on classic luxury brands and their vintage edition, namely Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, and many more. I must say their selection is pretty unique, like the vintage Celine monogram bags or 90s Kelly.

tags:japan,travel