When it comes to Tokyo’s vintage / underground thrifting scene, for me The Gate Koenji holds its own special place. The ambiance of this little quaint shop located in the peaceful neighborhood of Koenji is just so cozy, friendly, and sorta nostalgic, it feels like a walk back in time as you step inside their store and browse through their racks, and compared to other busy thrift shops, the (not overly) friendly cashier actually takes the time to talk to you and share a laugh as you check out your items – at least that was the case during my visit.
It’s just… so… different here. It’s like a treasure hunt where every find here is a jackpot and there are a lot of things and little trinkets that you will want to at least check out, and a lot of these things are things you never even knew you wanted.
Their collection is a variety of used and new items in an eccentric mix of clothing items. Here you can find a lot of grunge and underground type of fashion – like a mix of Hot Topic and Spencer’s in the US but a little less on novelty and branded items and heavy on the fashionwear and accessories.
Think work pants, shirts, jeans, and jackets encompassing a range of styles such as emo, goth, punk, rock, alternative, and metal, often featuring band merchandise, movie and TV show apparel – basically anything edgy and pop-culture inspired, you’ll probably find it here, and add some army or skating-inspired fashion in the mix as well – all of these playfully presented with a dedicated section for men and women’s fashion.
As for the accessories, if you’re into quirky stuff then you’re gonna wanna spend a little more time here, because they’ve got all kinds of cool stuff and little trinkets to check out. They of course have accessories such as sunglasses, hats, baseball caps, bonnets, bags, fashion jewelry including rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, belts – and then there are quirky little toys, keychains, and nostalgic Japanese candies to complement your vibe.
Safe to say, when it comes to underground clothing (regardless of brand because lots of items here are not branded at all or are from unknown brands), if you’re into underground fashion then this store is one of the better curation of clothing and accessories I found all over Tokyo that is so enjoyable to explore.
And the price? Not bad. Not bad at all especially when compared to the many vintage stores you’ll find at Shimokitazawa (Shimokita’s still worth a visit, though 🙂 ). Here at The Gate Koenji, you’ll find really nice outfits for just ¥800 to ¥3,000 – these are not branded stuff, though, so if you’re a thrifter who’s just into fashion without emphasis on the brand, The Gate Koenji is gonna be a real haven and a bargain.
The Gate Koenji is located at 2 Chome−22−5, Koenjikita, Suginami City, Tokyo, at the Junjou-tsu Shopping District (take the North Exit of Koenji Station). Check out their latest collections via their instagram @thegatekoenji.
