DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2025.08.09
A “select shop” is a type of store that curates products from various brands, chosen through the shop’s unique perspective rather than focusing on a single label. In Japan, popular select shops not only feature international brands but also actively promote “Japan brands” that emphasize quality and design. They also distinguish themselves through exclusive collaborations and custom-made items—subtle tweaks made to meet customer needs—reflecting a uniquely Japanese retail philosophy.
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A “select shop” is a type of retail store that offers a curated mix of brands, selected independently based on the store’s unique perspective. These shops don’t limit themselves to apparel—they often include cosmetics, interior goods, books, and lifestyle items, offering a diverse range of products in a single space.Tokyo is home to many flagship and large-format select shops, where popular stores don’t just focus on global brands but also highlight high-quality, well-designed Japanese brands. It’s the perfect place to discover standout Japanese labels and see them up close.
Japanese select shops are also known for their many collaborations and store-exclusive items. “Collaborations” are co-designed from scratch, while “exclusive items” are modified versions of existing products—adjusting things like color, material, or fit. Because Japanese consumers tend to value practicality in everyday wear, these shops honor the identity of the original brand while tweaking designs to suit local lifestyles. That subtle, thoughtful customization is a hallmark of the Japanese select shop experience.
BEAMS HARAJUKU still continues on the site of the first BEAMS store.
Urban Reserch Shinjuku Lumine Store is located within the Shinjuku Lumine 2 tenant.
SELECT by BAYCREW'S is located in Toranomon Hills Station Tower.
1LDK" is located quietly in Nakameguro (Photo / wacci)
BEAMS, founded in Harajuku in 1976, is a select shop that offers a casual style combining elements of American casual, workwear, sports, and street fashion. At BEAMS Harajuku, located on the site of the brand’s first store, the latest in men’s casual fashion is presented in connection with art and culture.
Available in two colors: purple and black. The black one has the number "76", the year BEAMS was founded. Special order NEEDLES FOOTBALL T-SHIRT 20,900 yen
NEEDLES is a Japanese fashion brand launched in 1988 by Keizo Shimizu, the founder of the renowned select shop NEPENTHES. Drawing on his global experience as a buyer, Shimizu creates clothing that reinterprets American vintage styles and tailoring through a uniquely Japanese lens. This exclusive football T-shirt for BEAMS is crafted from lustrous nylon satin and features breathable mesh at the yoke. Raised embroidery patches on the front and sleeves, along with zigzag stitching and orange details at the seams, give the piece a vintage athletic feel.
Special wash treatments create a worn-in look. MASK VEST ¥60,500 / SHORTS ¥53,900
ROTOL is a Japanese brand launched in 2016, known for blending technical elements from outdoor and military wear with fashion-forward design. The brand updates utility items with unconventional silhouettes and materials for everyday use. This exclusive set for BEAMS includes a vest with an integrated face mask and a pair of relaxed shorts made from a lightweight nylon-cotton blend. The fabric is bio-washed and hand-shaved for a worn-in texture, and orange topstitching at the hem subtly reinforces the collaboration theme. The vest is also equipped with inner mesh pockets and a front zip for enhanced functionality. The shorts feature a hybrid construction with a different fabric inside the zip opening, adding a layer of texture and visual interest.
Available in off-white, navy, and black. ¥19,800 each
SUN SURF is Japan’s leading aloha shirt brand, known for faithfully reproducing vintage Hawaiian shirts with vivid colors and intricate dye techniques. This exclusive design for BEAMS reimagines the classic pattern style by combining four different archive prints from SUN SURF’s collection. Each print is selected to harmonize through a shared color palette, and the patchwork layout is carefully balanced for visual rhythm. Motifs include Japanese elements like Mt. Fuji and the red lanterns of Asakusa’s Kaminarimon gate.
URBAN RESEARCH Lumine Shinjuku｜Refined Brands for Urban Living 「URBAN RESEARCH」 began in Osaka and is loved for its sophisticated, urban sensibility. The Lumine Shinjuku location, directly connected to the station, is one of the brand’s flagship stores in Tokyo, offering a wide range of Japanese and international brands. From Japanese names like 「Hender Scheme」 and 「DAIWA PIER39」 to high-end labels like 「Maison Margiela」 and 「MARNI」, the store features an inclusive lineup across genders and many exclusive items.
Rich colors perfect for late summer. ¥24,200
ROUTINE is a knitwear brand based in Gosen, Niigata—one of Japan’s foremost knitwear-producing regions. The brand is known for producing everything in-house, from yarn to finishing, allowing full control over quality and design. This exclusive crochet shirt for URBAN RESEARCH is made using cotton-blend yarn and features intricate hand-crocheted stitching across the entire garment. The boxy silhouette is cropped slightly at the hem, making it easy to pair with a variety of trousers and skirts. The earthy, saturated tones are ideal for transitioning from late summer into fall, and the airy open-knit construction makes it lightweight yet expressive.
100% cotton for softness and comfort. ¥17,600
onit is a women’s clothing brand directed by stylist Chisato Takagi, who focuses on “everyday wear that feels right.” The brand has gained a following for its relaxed silhouettes and subtle details that resonate with modern femininity. This exclusive bandeau jumpsuit revisits one of onit’s early signature pieces and updates it with a wide-straight silhouette and minimalist finish. Made from 100% cotton with a soft, natural hand feel, it’s designed for comfort in warm weather and ease of layering in transitional seasons.
Smooth and breathable even in humid summer weather. ¥14,300
This long skirt is a popular item from URBAN RESEARCH’s in-house women’s line. It’s made from Japanese cupro fibril—a sustainable semi-synthetic fiber known for its smooth texture, breathability, and elegant drape. The skirt is cut on the bias, allowing it to follow the lines of the body while creating gentle volume as you walk.The subtle sheen of the fabric gives it a dressy finish, while the soft feel makes it comfortable even on humid summer days.
SELECT by BAYCREW’S is a large-format select shop in Toranomon Hills Station Tower, operated by BAYCREW’S, the company behind brands like JOURNAL STANDARD and Deuxieme Classe. Spanning approximately 800 tsubo (about 2,600 m²) over two floors, the space brings together categories such as fashion, food, lifestyle, and art. It offers both scale and sophistication—qualities well suited to the evolving Toranomon area, which continues to grow as a new urban hub. As a shop that goes beyond fashion to provide experiential retail, it is currently attracting widespread attention.
This limited model is available only through MIZUNO directly and select partners including mita sneakers, Spick & Span, and Herringbone Footwear.
MIZUNO is one of Japan’s leading comprehensive sports equipment manufacturers, founded in Osaka in 1906. The brand began with baseball gear and went on to develop innovative products across a wide range of sports, including skiing, golf, track and field, and competitive swimming. MIZUNO has long supported athletes on the global stage, including the Olympics. This exclusive sneaker is a revival model unearthed from MIZUNO’s extensive archives. The design combines large-gauge mesh with silver-toned synthetic leather overlays, accented with a muted green colorway made exclusively for the Japanese market.
unglasses with a titanium frame that give off a polished, composed look. ¥42,900
BLANC.. is a Japanese eyewear brand whose products are handcrafted by skilled artisans in Sabae, Fukui—one of the world’s leading eyewear production regions. The brand is known for its comfortable, low-stress fit achieved through precision craftsmanship, along with its contemporary design sensibility. This pair of sunglasses is an exclusive model created by EYETHINK, the eyewear specialty store located within SELECT by BAYCREW’S. Though the frame features a distinctive double-bridge design, the use of titanium gives it a clean and refined appearance. The lenses are light gray photochromic, offering a natural sense of lightness around the face.
A special timepiece with a presence that makes even the outer box worth keeping. ¥17,600.Available at “THE STAND fool so good(s)” on the second floor of SELECT by BAYCREW’S.
CASIO is a Japanese electronics manufacturer known for producing watches, calculators, electronic dictionaries, and musical instruments. Among them, the shock-resistant G-SHOCK series is celebrated not only for its outstanding durability—earning it the nickname “the unbreakable watch”—but also for its wide range of fashionable designs. This model is a special edition based on the long-selling DW-5600 series, which has been continuously popular since its debut in 1983. The design takes inspiration from the works of Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai, and as a nod to its Japanese roots, the watch is Made in Japan.
1LDK, whose flagship store is located in Nakameguro, is a select shop built around the theme of “the extraordinary in the everyday.” It offers refined casualwear rooted in workwear, military, and traditional styles. Many of the designs are simple and gender-neutral, with a focus on real clothes that can be worn for years to come. One distinctive feature is that the store manager also handles the buying. As a result, the lineup reflects direct input from the shop floor and customer needs. The compact space is filled with a carefully curated atmosphere—an essential part of the store’s unique appeal.
Soft and airy with minimal itchiness typical of linen. ¥77,000
KAPTAIN SUNSHINE is a brand by Japanese designer Shinsuke Kojima. Incorporating elements of traditional and fieldwear, the brand creates garments with the image of “something you’d want to take on a journey.” Its collections are known for combining uniquely Japanese textiles produced at domestic factories with carefully crafted sewing techniques. This Take Easy Jacket is made from a linen cloth woven slowly over time using yarn-dyed slub linen threads that have been specially treated to produce natural variations in tone.
A washable silk T-shirt that proves useful during sweaty summer months. ¥38,500
DIGAWEL is a brand founded by designer Kohei Nishimura, which began in 2006 when he opened a select shop in Yutenji. Based on the concept of “how to connect human emotions to design,” the brand explores clothing that feels familiar and personal. This T-shirt is made from 100% silk and treated to be washable. It has an exceptionally smooth feel and offers the practicality of being cared for at home, while maintaining a luxurious texture. The vivid orange color makes a strong impression, allowing it to complete a look on its own.
A long-standing staple pant sold since the brand’s founding. ¥27,500
UNIVERSAL PRODUCTS. is the original brand by 1LDK. With the aim of proposing a new standard through universal products, it focuses on quality craftsmanship that transcends season, trend, and age. The brand is highly regarded for its uncompromising approach across all stages of production—fabric, patternmaking, and sewing alike. These trousers are made from a custom-developed fabric woven in Nishiwaki, Hyogo, Japan’s largest cotton textile region. The material has a firm texture, and through special processing, a subtle fuzz and volume have been added. The length is set slightly long, making it ideal for wearing with a bit of stacking at the hem.
In this feature, four of Japan’s leading select shops introduce their own picks of “noteworthy Japanese brands of the moment,” each chosen from a unique point of view.
What you’ll find at these select shops goes beyond comfort and functionality. Behind every item lies a deep commitment to materials, thoughtful craftsmanship, and the distinct aesthetic and philosophy cherished by each shop. Let these select shops be your gateway into the rich and layered world of Japanese brands.
