DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2026.03.05
Treasure-Hunt Vintage in a Hidden Shimokitazawa Hideaway
Nearest Station
MIMIC is a vintage clothing store located on the third floor of a multi-tenant building in Shimokitazawa. The space brings together T-shirts related to subcultures such as games and anime, ultra-rare designer archives, and even items from the owner’s personal collection. Inside the treasure chest–like interior, pieces selected through the discerning eye of owner TAKARA, who has a deep love for vintage clothing, are displayed throughout. At times, the selection radiates such intense individuality that it could almost be described as “incomprehensible.”
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About a four-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station, there is a little-known vintage store on the third floor of a multi-tenant building. This is MIMIC, which opened in Daitabashi, Tokyo in 2022 and relocated to its current location in 2024. The building stands across from the Chinese restaurant chain Gyoza no Ohsho. At the entrance leading to the third floor, there is only a simple sign with the words “Vintage Clothing Store” written in eerie handwritten letters. There are almost no noticeable signs. If you didn’t know it was there, you would likely pass by without realizing it. However, at the top of the stairs, rare items found nowhere else and irresistible vintage pieces for subculture lovers await. Not only young locals of Shimokitazawa but also high-fashion designers and vintage-loving celebrities frequent this hidden shop.
The building housing MIMIC is located in the central Shimokitazawa area, where vintage stores gather and young people and locals alike fill the streets.
Walk past the first-floor vintage shop P.max and you will find the entrance and staircase of the brick building.
Even after climbing to the third floor, there is no large sign. The white door in front of you is the entrance to MIMIC.
A small store plate is affixed to the center of the door.
If the green doorknob reads “welcome,” the store is open.
The interior of MIMIC is a bright and clean space surrounded by vintage clothing and antique furnishings.
Dig for Subculture T-Shirts Inspired by Games, Anime, and Music The name “MIMIC” comes from the treasure chest monster that appears in the RPG Dragon Quest. The name was chosen because owner TAKARA loves games and because his own name carries the meaning of “treasure.” True to its name, the shop is filled with items worthy of being called “treasures.” Among them, the most striking are the subculture T-shirts inspired by games and anime.
The selection criteria are not based on trends or sales performance. The standard is simply whether TAKARA himself feels he “likes” the piece and whether he thinks it has a strong visual impact. The lineup spans eras and genres, including Dragon Quest, AKIRA, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and HUNTER × HUNTER. During peak summer season, hundreds of T-shirts may be displayed at once.
The walls are lined with T-shirts related to anime and games.
The AKIRA T-shirt in the center is part of TAKARA’s long-collected archive. ¥200,000.
The back of the AKIRA T-shirt features a large red katakana logo boldly printed.
A T-shirt featuring a bold print of Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist of BLEACH. It was sold overseas during the original TV anime broadcast. The noise-like print enhances its dark atmosphere. ¥22,800.
A T-shirt inspired by the 2002 sci-fi action anime Witch Hunter ROBIN. The visual of flames surrounding the design leaves a strong impression. ¥26,800.
At MIMIC, in addition to subculture T-shirts, many vintage pieces from domestic and international designer brands are available. Particularly eye-catching are archive pieces from domestic brands such as ISSEY MIYAKE. Some rare items sourced from collectors are in excellent condition despite their age. Even pieces not listed in official archive catalogs, as well as items from TAKARA’s personal collection accumulated over many years, naturally coexist in the same space. Although prices range widely from affordable items in the ¥5,000 range to pieces worth several million yen, they are displayed without distinction and can be freely handled. An atmosphere of treasure hunting lingers throughout the store, making you want to examine everything closely.
A knit cardigan from the era when ISSEY MIYAKE was based in Paris. According to TAKARA, very few examples are believed to still exist. Price upon request.
A tag used in the early 1970s during the brand’s founding years. The design frames “issey miyake” in red and blue.
Displayed on the wall is a theatrical poster for the film PERFECT BLUE that TAKARA purchased from an acquaintance.
A pair of Nike spikes that were reportedly not even listed in official model archives. The model name is unknown, and no price has been set.
Rare items are also displayed inside the glass counter at the register. The extremely rare Converse sneaker “The Winner,” featuring three stripes, is priced at ¥150,000.
Hanging casually in a wall frame is an ultra-rare Levi’s 501 model known as “Type A.” The price is approximately ¥1,000,000.
Compared to the higher-end “Type S,” the “Type A” was produced as a more affordable version. The paper patch is stamped with an “A.” Pieces that remain in deep indigo condition with the patch intact are said to be extremely rare.
This overwhelming lineup is supported by sourcing from many different channels. TAKARA personally visits vintage wholesale warehouses both in Japan and overseas and sometimes spends an entire day digging through mountains of clothing. He also acquires pieces from trusted collectors and occasionally purchases items from buyers who visit the store without prior appointment. TAKARA is known as a genuine vintage enthusiast, and collectors who hear about him often approach him saying, “I want to sell this to you.” His extraordinary love for vintage clothing shapes this almost excessive selection.
Owner TAKARA carefully explains, for each item he picks up, why it attracted him and what makes it interesting.
Among the racks, the items that stand out most are boldly colored dresses and tops with flamboyant embroidery.TAKARA says:
“I think the greatest appeal of vintage clothing is that it’s funny above all else. The designs might be outrageously flashy, slightly absurd, or playful in form. Maybe to some people, it’s just ‘trash.’ But I believe that finding value in those kinds of clothes is what being a vintage dealer is all about. If someday someone who truly understands buys it, that’s enough for me,” he says with a laugh.
TAKARA also says:
“In Shimokitazawa, stylish kids and not-so-stylish kids alike walk around wearing their best outfits, each with sparkling expressions on their faces. When I see them, I remember myself when I enjoyed fashion naturally, without overthinking it. That’s why I want to stock these ‘incomprehensible clothes’ at MIMIC. Even as adults, it’s okay to believe in what you love and carry it through. If people can feel that, even a little, through this shop, I would be happy.”
A glossy green long dress. “It fit me as if it were tailored just for me, so I couldn’t resist buying it. But it suits me too perfectly to actually wear,” says TAKARA with a laugh.
A cotton shirt made in India, believed to have been produced during the height of hippie culture. “Black was disliked at the time, so it’s rare. And I love the intensity of this bold embroidery,” says TAKARA.
“Yet the embroidery on the inside is unfinished, so they must have run out of energy halfway through,” he adds with a smile.
Many strongly individual items are displayed at MIMIC, yet the styling proposed is not simply eccentric. The base of the styling is streetwear built around wide silhouettes, boots, and layered looks. On top of that, nerdy-mood items such as anime and game T-shirts, as well as bold patterned pieces, are naturally incorporated. At first glance, the overall look carries a somewhat intimidating air, yet upon closer inspection, humor and an otaku-like affection subtly emerge. How do you incorporate items that “only those who know will understand”? MIMIC’s styling offers hints to that question.
On the left is owner TAKARA, and on the right is staff member ONI.
TAKARA is wearing a T-shirt featuring the logo and Vivi Ornitier from the classic RPG FINAL FANTASY IX. (From TAKARA’s personal collection.)
Staff member ONI is wearing a T-shirt boldly featuring Nyarlome, a character appearing in Fujio Akatsuka’s manga Moretsu Ataro. ¥8,800.
The information contained this article was correct as of 03/05/2026 (the time of publication)
