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Spanish luxury brands and high street chains rub shoulders in shopping districts from Aoyama to Ginza and Shibuya to Shinjuku.
Shibuya intersection
Tokyo is an inspiring universe in a constant state of flux. A city of contrasts, the latest high-tech trends combine with ancient social traditions to produce a unique look, remote from the Western world.
The Japanese capital has become a key destination for shopping enthusiasts. Famous for its different approach to design, Japanese fashion delves into the depths of its history to achieve a balance between pragmatism and luxury.
An extravagant approach to shopping can be found at Harajuku, famous for its gothic lolitas, punks and "cosplay" lovers, but with a decidedly Spanish favour. It is also the place to go for fast fashion, with key exponents like Zara, which has one of its stores at 6-31-17, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku.
Close by are mid-market names such as Mango, with urban womenswear collections in line with the latest trends (Toyu Bldg., 6-10-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku).
Omotesando-Aoyama is a top-end district, where major international brands sit alongside the cutting-edge studios of Japanese designers.
Camper has also chosen this chic neighbourhood for its Together shop (4-30-4,Jingumae, Shibuya-ku) designed by one of Spain’s best known artists, Jaime Hayón.
Near the Dior and Chanel flagships, Chie Mihara has her Little House (J-Wing Right bld.,
A slightly different note is added by Monad, a small boutique which specialises in Spanish jewellery and fashion accessories. Here you can find the skilfully crafted designs by Elena Cancer with their play on volume and shape; intricate collections by Raquel Moreno, inspired by flora and fauna; and the contemporary style of Majoral.
In the huge Omotesando Hills mall, Lupo has a shop where its Abanico bag has caused a stir in the land of the rising sun. Its flagship store at Omotesando Hills B1, 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, transmits the brand’s elegance and expertise in a shop which, though modest, is replete with detail.
Bridal ready-to-wear pioneer Pronovias is an exercise in elegance and sophistication at its Aoyama boutique (Doric Minami Aoyama, 2-27-14,Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku), as to is Majorca’s Yanko (2-6-6, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku) with shoes that combine traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology.
In the same district is Joaquín Berao (6-3-14, Minami Aoyama, Minatoku), with his sculptural items of jewellery.
Shibuya has an extensive range of entertainment, a long list of restaurants, shops, music and night clubs. A crossroads between Harajuku, Aoyama and Daikanyama, it is an eclectic area with a mix of style that give it an unmistakeable personality.
Spanish brands have set up shop here, contributing to the diversification of the area. Zara opened its first shop in Japan in the district and will be opening another at the end of November.
Ginza is the most expensive part of town, where the cost per square metre is higher than anywhere else in the country. Not surprising then, that it should be a luxury epicentre, with top-end brands like Loewe with its leather tradition (7-5-4, Ginza, Chuo-ku), in Namiki Street, where the opulent creativity of Carrera y Carrera is also on sale. Tous, with its more casual jewellery has also chosen this area for a retail corner in the Matsuyakaya mall on Chuo-dori, the area’s main street. Zara has its second shop here too. Another is on Marronier-dori, near department store Printemps Ginza.
The Castañer flagship has gained a reputation for its deluxe rope shoes (2-5-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku), in Ginza 2-chome. Adolfo Domínguez, who has also chosen the same location, offers a blend of traditional tailoring and relaxed urban casuals. The “wrinkle is beautiful” slogan that gave the brand its fame continues to win over Tokyo.
In the heart of the city’s administrative district in one of the busiest commercial areas of Tokyo, Shinjuku, where you can find Natura Bissé. Its luxury face and body products are on sale at the Isetan Shinjuku Store.
Designer Sybilla, who set up a partnership with Itokin in 1989, has an extensive sales network in the city, and one of her main points of sale is in the Isetan Shinjuku department store. The more affordable Jocomomola line is on sale nearby in the Shinjuku Takashimaya store.
Roppongi is best known for its night-life and as a favourite haunt with tourists and expats. In recent years, it has been redesigned and it also offers daytime treasures including museums which nestle amid major shopping malls and imposing skyscrapers in Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown. They include art museums Mori and Suntory, and Tokyo’s National Art Centre. A stone’s throw away is the 21_21 Design Sight gallery, run by Issay Miyake and two other Japanese designers.
In this setting, Antonio Miró has found the perfect location for a boutique at I.O. Azabu B1b, 2-8-14, Azabu-juban, Minato-ku. The cosmopolitan mood combines with the modest simplicity of garments based on tailoring.
A close neighbour is Zara at Roppongi Hills West Walk 2,3F, 6-10-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, with the latest collections based on catwalks trends for him and her. This is one of 13 outlets the brand has in the city.
