DEEPTOKYO
magazine
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DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2026.08.13
A Flagship Store Offering Everything from Limited Models to the Finest “Made in Japan” Series
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Founded in Massachusetts, U.S.A., in 1908, “Converse” has created numerous iconic models, including the “All Star.” Located in Harajuku, Tokyo, “CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU” is the brand’s first flagship store in Japan and a destination visited by sneaker fans from around the world. Inside, you will find a full lineup that includes the “Made in Japan” series, carefully finished one pair at a time by skilled craftspeople using vintage lasts from the 1980s, as well as limited models that express Japan’s refined sense of detail and souvenir items incorporating distinctly Japanese motifs.
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Harajuku, Tokyo, is one of the city’s most iconic districts for Japanese street fashion and youth culture. From vintage clothing and sneakers to Harajuku kawaii style, the area has long coexisted with a wide range of cultures while constantly creating and sharing new trends. Considering Converse’s own journey from the basketball court to the street, there could hardly be a more fitting location for "CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU," the brand’s first flagship store in Japan.
The store concept is “Where we come from, where we are going?” Through the space and products, visitors can experience the brand’s roots, its current position resonating with the street, and its transition toward the future. A new hub for communication has been born here.
The Converse Japan building, located just off Takeshita Street in Harajuku. The large door on the first floor marks the entrance to the flagship store, while the upper floors are offices. Various models are planned here.
Takeshita Street can be seen in the background. The store is a two-minute walk from the Takeshita Exit of Harajuku Station.
The interior design of “CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU” is not merely unique decoration; it expresses more than 100 years of Converse history through the space itself. The basketball court outlined in neon on the ceiling and the shoe display fixtures modeled after basketball hoops symbolize the roots of the “Canvas All Star,” which was born in 1917 as a shoe made specifically for basketball.
Focusing on the regional character of Massachusetts, with its deep forests and wetlands, Converse began by manufacturing rubber shoes that could be worn for work even in rain or snow. Thanks to its high quality, the company gained overwhelming support and grew into a leading local business with 350 employees just two years after its founding.
Because sales of rubber shoes were concentrated in snowy winters, the company needed to develop products that could sell year-round. What it focused on was basketball, which was still in its early days in 1917. As a dedicated athletic shoe for the sport, Converse created the “Canvas All Star.”
Meanwhile, the floor underfoot is paved with real asphalt and marked with crosswalk lines. From the 1970s onward, Converse shoes began to be worn beyond the court as well, gaining popularity among skaters and rock musicians and expanding into a symbol of street culture. The space allows visitors to experience that transition through two elements: the brand’s origin, basketball, spreading overhead, and its present, the street, spreading beneath their feet.
A spacious one-floor store. The design was apparently handled by creators deeply familiar with Tokyo culture.
A unique display design in which a basketball hoop appears when you pick up a shoe.
The reason sneakerheads from around the world buy Converse shoes in Japan lies in the rarity of models that can only be found domestically. Among them, the “Made in Japan” models stand out as special pairs infused with Japan’s delicate sense of beauty and commitment to quality.
The lineup centers on authentic models, with the “All Star” naturally drawing the most attention. Its greatest feature is that it uses the same vintage last from All Stars produced in Japan in the 1980s. Miraculously discovered after being preserved instead of discarded at the factory at the time, the last faithfully recreates a sharper, cleaner silhouette than the standard line.
On the left is the Japanese-made “CANVAS ALL STAR J OX,” ¥15,950; on the right is the standard “ALL STAR OX,” ¥6,490. Thanks to the size of the toe cap and the use of cotton shoelaces, the Japanese-made model on the left gives a cleaner impression.
The upper is made from high-quality canvas woven from 100% cotton %. This fabric features a fine weave and a distinctive sheen, and it molds to your feet the more you wear it. Another noteworthy feature is that the stitching is finished by hand by skilled artisans. The result is a pair of shoes you can cherish for years to come.
Using treasured 1980s lasts and high-quality cotton fabric, and shaped through the handwork of craftspeople, the “Made in Japan” model is a pair where Converse’s long history and Japanese craftsmanship come together.
There are differences in the details as well. The Japanese-made model uses 100% cotton fabric, and the shoelaces are also cotton, measuring 8 mm wide. The stitching around the toe area is also subtly different.
Viewed from the side, the difference in the color of the rubber used for the sole is easy to see. The Japan-made model has a slightly off-white tone, giving it a vintage-inspired look. The regular model, by contrast, has a cleaner overall impression and uses a softer material for the foxing tape than the Japan-made version.
The red box logo indicates the Japanese-made model. Compared with the standard model, it uses rubber sponge with superior cushioning and rebound.
The heel patch label on the Japanese-made model also includes the words “Made in Japan.” These subtle differences in detail heighten the sense of something special.
In addition to carrying almost the full lineup, the store is also filled with limited collections. Seasonal limited models, collaboration models, and even store-exclusive models have appeared in the past.
This season’s highlight is the Japan-exclusive collaboration model with the Museum of Modern Art in New York, MoMA: the “ALL STAR LGCY HI / MoMA.” Also on display are Japan-exclusive and store-exclusive items such as the “ALL STAR YUNOMI HI,” inspired by sushi restaurant teacups, and shoes featuring Fujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder.
This season’s much-anticipated Japan-exclusive collaboration model with the Museum of Modern Art in New York, MoMA: the “ALL STAR LGCY HI / MoMA,” ¥15,400 each. While respecting the classic details of the All Star, the pair incorporates MoMA’s design aesthetic through elements such as coloring inspired by MoMA’s color palette and an upper made from 100% recycled cotton.
Based on All Stars from the 1960s and 1970s, the side stitching and heel patch are designed to reflect the specifications of that era, which differ from those of today. Compared with the standard model, the sole is also slightly thicker, contributing to greater walking comfort.
A one-star heel patch based on archives from before the 1970s.
Apparel is also available in the store, and T-shirts featuring kanji and Japanese-style patterns make perfect souvenirs.
Also inspired by a sushi restaurant teacup, the “ALL STAR YUNOMI HI,” ¥9,900, features kanji characters for fish used as sushi toppings across the front.
All Star models with distinctly Japanese designs are also available. This is the “ALL STAR FHUJINRAIJIN HI,” ¥10,450, featuring the motif of Fujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder who appear in Japanese mythology and art.
Also popular in the main line are the “ALL STAR SQUARETOE LE OX,” which features a square toe, and the directly operated store-exclusive “MARINESTAR AGED,” a modern-spec recreation based on the archival “Marine Star” model released in the 1990s. Both are simple yet mature pairs that let you enjoy a different atmosphere from the usual Converse.
The “ALL STAR SQUARETOE LE OX,” ¥19,800. This carefully designed pair combines Converse’s iconic design with the elegance of leather shoes. The upper uses smooth leather, giving it a refined appearance. In keeping with the shape of the toe, the decorative side stitching has also been arranged into a more angular design.
The “MARINESTAR AGED,” ¥10,450, is based on the archival “Marine Star” model from the 1990s and recreated with modern specifications. It is a directly operated store-exclusive model with a deck-shoe-inspired design, finished in a minimal style. Details such as the shoelaces, lining, insole, and outsole are unified in black, creating a clean overall look. The glossy, natural-colored tape gives the pair a retro feel.
What makes this store interesting is that the excitement does not end with shopping. In addition to the interior design, it also offers content that makes the visit even more enjoyable. One experience you should definitely try is the AR feature, where a giant “All Star” appears from above. By scanning the QR code displayed at the entrance with your smartphone, you can take a unique photo with a giant sneaker that looks as if it is about to crush you.
In addition, international visitors who present their passport, complete tax-free procedures, and purchase shoes will receive a limited-edition sticker available only here.
“CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU” is a place where you can enjoy the appeal of Converse unique to Japan with all five senses. The experience is sure to be special not only for fans, but also for those visiting for the first time. Be sure to come and see its appeal for yourself.
The process is simple. Just scan the QR code on the wall at the store entrance.
No app is required; everything can be completed in your browser.
A giant All Star appears from above. Depending on your idea, you can take a fun, social media-friendly photo, such as posing as if you are about to be crushed by the sneaker. Be sure to try it as a memory of your visit.
A special sticker available only to international visitors who complete tax-free procedures by presenting their passport and purchasing shoes. The limited stickers come in different colors for each directly operated store. The flagship “CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU” offers red and orange-red, “White atelier BY CONVERSE” Harajuku offers red-orange, “CONVERSE STORE YOKOHAMA” offers blue, “CONVERSE STORE SENDAI” offers green, and “White atelier BY CONVERSE” Fukuoka offers pink. It is an item that will make collectors want to gather the colors from other stores as well.
The information in this article is current as of August 13, 2026 (at the time of publication).
