Welcome to La Carmina’s Tokyo, Japan shopping guide! Looking for the best Gothic Lolita Punk / Visual Kei / Alternative clothing shops in Harajuku, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro? Here are maps, photos, videos… everything you could possibly need.

This Japanese fashion guide is constantly updated, so please visit my blog for the latest posts. (My OSAKA store maps and photos are here. For Goth Industrial EBM Fetish nightclubs in Tokyo, visit my comprehensive Nightlife Guide. )

If you found my Harajuku / Tokyo shopping maps and photos helpful, please consider buying one of my Jpop books or leaving me a tip (donate button is below)… this Godzilla-sized guide was the result of much bloodshed and toil…

To receive announcements about prize giveaways, job opportunities and other exciting Japanese fashion news, please subscribe to my mailing list. (I only send emails every 1-2 months, and you can opt out any time.)

† WHO IS LA CARMINA? † I am a professional Goth/subcultures blogger, travel TV host and arranger, author of 3 books (Penguin USA and Random House), and journalist for CNN and Huffington Post. My popular blog on Japan Gothic Lolita fashion / Visual Kei – www.lacarmina.com/blog – has been featured in major publications (The New Yorker, Washington Post, WWD, Cosmopolitan, LA Times). I’m the author of 3 books — including Cute Yummy Time (Penguin) and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (Random House) — and a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School.

I’ve appeared on The Today Show and co-hosted an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel, which airs in 75 countries. NHK Japan filmed a documentary about my work; recent TV hosting and arranging credits include Dutch Pepsi, Sony Australia, Canal Plus France, Norway TV, and CNN International in Tokyo. I will be the Asia host for educational travel TV series, Project Explorer.
View my TV reels and full biography.

I run a coolhunting / trend consulting / TV hosting and arranging company: La Carmina & The Pirates.
- We specialize in Japan, Goth, alternative, cosplay, burlesque, LGBT, fashion, pop culture.
- Our services include TV production coordinating, on-camera hosting, Japanese translation and guiding, coolhunting, consulting.
- We’ve worked with CNN, NHK, Travel Channel, Canal Plus, Sony Australia, Dutch Pepsi, NRK Norway.
- For more about our services, please visit our Pirates website.

Please feel free to contact La Carmina if you’d like to work with me in any capacity (TV hosting, arranging, writing, etc.) You can also keep in touch via my social networks below. Domo arigato gozaimasu!

† † † HARAJUKU † † †

Harajuku is ground zero for alternative, experimental youth fashion and the famous “cosplayer” bridge. This is the best place in Tokyo to buy Gothic Lolita Punk clothing, as most of the brands are found here.

How to shop in Harajuku:
1) Take the JR (green) subway line to Harajuku Station, and go out the Takeshita Doori exit.
2) If this is your first visit, I strongly recommend that you DON’T stress about finding the individual stores! Simply walk down Takeshita Doori, the main street that begins with a colorful gate, and meander into the side-streets. You’ll run into incredible Sweet Lolita shops, Fairy Kei accessories and more, I promise. (Photos and more below).
3) When you reach Meiji Doori (the main street that cuts Takeshita Doori), turn right. Walk 1-2 minutes and you will see Laforet Department Store on the right (green/white building). There are many Classical / Goth / Lolita / Punk brands in the basements. (Photos and more below).
4) Or keep walking straight after Takeshita Doori, into the small streets lined with stores. Wander around here and you’ll find Putumayo, h.NAOTO… (Photos and more below).
5) Finally, you might want to turn left past Laforet and wander into Omotesando. The boutiques tend to be expensive, Western brands, but Kiddyland (the giant toy store) is a must-visit. (Photos of Kiddyland here and here.)

The above map is modified from the one found in Kera Maniax, Vol 7. You can see where the main Harajuku stores are located. Again, don’t stress — you will find them if you walk around.

For an OSAKA Gothic Lolita shopping map, click here. (Comprehensive Osaka shopping and nightlife guide to come.)

Below are photos / articles about all the main stores in Harajuku.

HARAJUKU SWEET LOLITA KAWAII shops
Introduction to Harajuku
Bodyline
Innocent World
OLD Closet Child Harajuku (secondhand), 3rd and 4th floors, Sweet Lolita
OLD Closet Child Harajuku (secondhand), 2nd floor, Goth Punk Lolita
Harajuku Shoes
Milk
Kikirara Shoten, Dangerous Nude
Angelic Pretty
Mania Q fairy kei boutique

HARAJUKU CYBER PUNK ROCK shops
Takuya Angel’s new store (Same location, but in the back)
Takuya Angel (old store – Cyber / Wa / Rave)
Takuya Angel (2008)
Mari’s Rock, Richard’s, Listen Flavor (Rock, Punk, Gothic)
Sex Pot Revenge (Punk Goth)
Sex Pot Revenge F***
Vivienne Westwood, Sexy Dynamite London (SDL is now closed)
Sexy Dynamite London Queen and Vivienne Westwood Museum (SDL is now closed)

HARAJUKU GOTHIC & CLASSICAL LOLITA
MA/MAM Maxicimam (Gothic Lolita)
Putumayo
h.NAOTO hEAVEN
h.NAOTO Frill, hANARCHY, hJELLY, BLOOD, NOIS
h.NAOTO 8 CLub
Yellow House, Jim Sinn, Takenoko
Putumayo, Kiddyland, Visual Kei music store Edison

VISUAL KEI
Visual Kei and J-rock/Jpop memorabilia stores
Visual Kei and J-rock memorabilia store photos here and here.

LAFORET HARAJUKU
Address: Jingumae 1-11-6, Shibuya-ku. +81 3 3475 0411
URL: http://www.laforet.ne.jp/harajuku/home/

Harajuku’s major department store. Walk down Takeshita Doori, turn right onto Meiji Doori, and walk until you reach Laforet on the right side.
Most of the Gothic Lolita Punk designers are on the basement levels of Laforet. Photos in reverse chronological order:

2011: Fairy kei and cute Japanese girls accessories
2011: Gothic, Sweet and Classical Lolita boutiques
2011: Japanese male punk and cute Goth clothes

2010: Laforet Sweet Classical Lolita and Fairy Kei: Angelic Pretty, Putumayo, Atelier Pierrot, Nile Perch
2010: Laforet Goth Punk: Sexy Dynamite London, Hellcatpunks, h.NAOTO Sixh, Black Peace Now
2010: Laforet cute clothes & accessories: Monomania, Kyoga Teddy Monster, World Wide Love
2010: Gothic and Sweet Lolita teens lining up for a Laforet event

2009: Nile Perch fairy kei
2009: Nile Perch, h.NAOTO, Sexy Dynamite London (Oct 2009)
2009: Swimmer kawaii kitsch accessories

2008: Laforet: Emily Temple Cute, Jane Marple and upper floors
2008: Laforet: Gothic Lolita Punk basement floors
2008: Video tour of Laforet basement levels
2008: Emily Temple Cute
2007: Introduction to Laforet Harajuku

JINGU BRIDGE
If you turn right and walk 1-2 minutes, you’ll arrive at Jingubashi (the famous bridge where the cosplayers used to gather). Sadly, you don’t see much crazy fashion on the bridge any more, but it’s worth checking out.

La Carmina on Jingu Bridge (2010)
Japanese teen cosplayers on Jingubashi (2008)
Cute Japanese kids on the Harajuku bridge

† † † SHINJUKU † † †

(Click on the above map or here to enlarge.)

Kabuki-cho (East Shinjuku) is known as the red-light district and playground for host clubs. Tokyo’s Goth / Industrial / Alternative nightlife is concentrated in Shinjuku. There are also theme restaurants, a Closet Child (secondhand Gothic Lolita Punk Rock clothes), and 0101 Marui One department store. (Photos and info to all are below.)

Color key to the map above
PURPLE: Goth / Industrial / Alternative / Cyber / EBM / Fetish clubs, parties, bars. View my Nightlife Guide for detailed directions and reports.
BLUE: Theme restaurants, cheap sushi, and other favorite places to eat. (And convenience stores are great for cheap alcohol and snacks.)
GREEN: Gothic Lolita Punk Rock clothing stores, dollar stores and other places to buy goodies.

THEME RESTAURANTS
Several are located on Yasakuni-doori. They include the Alice in Wonderland cafe, Lock-Up (jail-themed restaurant), Arabian Rock (Aladdin theme), and Calico Cat Cafe.

- For articles and photos on theme restaurants in Japan, visit this section of my blog.
- For addresses, photos and info on ALL the major theme restaurants in Tokyo, please check out my book, Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo.

CLOSET CHILD SHINJUKU
I literally buy 60-70% of my wardrobe here. Closet Child Shinjuku consists of two floors of secondhand Gothic Lolita Punk clothes. Take the West exit of Shinjuku station, walk straight and go past the building with the clock. Look for the big sign above; the entrance is hard to find (it’s a small nook that leads to an elevator). The 4th floor is Vivienne Westwood, 5th floor is Sweet Lolita Kawaii, 6th floor is Rock Goth Punk. Click for photos.

MARUI ONE SHINJUKU
Address: 3-1-20 Shinjuku, 160-0022
UR: http://maruione.jp/

Marui One, the department store mecca, is almost entirely dedicated to Sweet, Kawaii, Lolita, Goth, Punk and Rock fashion. It’s a short walk from Shinjuku station; go out the East Exit, keep to the right, go down the main street and look out for the red 0101 sign!

Photos of the new Marui One:
Eighth floor: Kera Shop Arena, Goth punk Visual Kei
Seventh floor: Kera Shop Angel, Moi-meme-moitie
Seventh floor: Sweet Lolita, Metamorphose temps de fille
Seventh floor: Angelic Pretty, kawaii toys
Sixth floor: Hangry and Angry by h.NAOTO
Sixth floor: Gramm by S-inc
Sixth floor: Sexy Dynamite London, h.NAOTO FRILL
Sixth floor: Black Peace Now and Peace Now
Fifth floor: Alice Auaa
Fifth floor: Gothic and Sweet Lolita shoes and boots, Artherapie
Fourth floor: Jesus Diamante princess kei, Blythe doll shop
Third floor: Emily Temple Cute, kawaii accessories
First and second floors: Fruits Mix, Quolomo Hello Kitty, h.NAOTO accessories, Spank
Floor displays, entrance and first floor: Galaxxxy Returns, Funky Street
Blablahospital and ZoeStyles event at Kera Arena (April 2009)
Marui summer sale, Hello Kitty x Quolomo (July 2009)
Hide X-Japan memorabilia and Lemoned store (2010)

Below is a guide to the old Marui One store; the new shop list can be found here.

Video tours of Marui One’s Goth Lolita Punk floors
Overview of Marui’s designers and brands
October 2008: Pullip doll display at Marui Department Store
Fifth floor of Marui One: h.NAOTO, Alice Auaa, Goth punk clothing
Sixth floor of Marui One: Kera Shop Arena, Super Lovers, Sexy Dynamite London, Hellcatpunks
Seventh floor of Marui One: Antenna by Kreuz, Leche by Yosuke, Lolita rocking horse shoes and boots
Eighth floor of Marui One: Sweet Lolita dresses and accesories. Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Angelic Pretty.

OTHER SHINJUKU STORES
- Studio Alta department store is right across from Shinjuku Station East Exit. It has gal/gyaru brands such as Liz Lisa, fake eyelashes and cute accessories. There was a Hangry & Angry pop up store there.
- Okadaya – fabric, trimmings, eyelashes, feathers, drag queen heaven
- Another big photo post of Okadaya
- Mitsuyoshi: theatrical makeup, feathered eyelashes and cosmetics
- Don Quijote is a big discount store that sells crazy costumes, nail polish, circle contact lenses, clothes and beauty products. There are wild Halloween costumes here.

† † † IKEBUKURO † † †

(Click on the map or here to enlarge.)

Ikebukuro has some great cheap izakayas and is home to Black Hole, the concert venue where Visual Kei artists like Kaya often perform. This is a great district to visit for cute shops and cheap accessories. There’s also a Butler Cafe and several cat cafes! (Below are links to photos and articles.)

From Ikebukuro Station, go out the Sunshine City exit (34 or 35) and walk straight. Take a slight left to Sunshine 60 Doori; you’ll see a giant Hello Kitty store on the right. Keep walking and you’ll reach Tokyu Hands and then Sunshine City, the big shopping center on the right.

Sunshine City is a huge shopping complex filled with cute stores (some of which are inexpensive). Studio Alta is a great place to find funky costume jewelry and socks.

Cute / kawaii character goods stores
Sanrio Hello Kitty cute accessories
Egg Magazine store – Gyaru, gal
Ice Cream Land (coming soon)
Swallowtail bakery (coming soon)

Closet Child Ikebukuro
The secondhand Gothic Lolita Punk fashion store was recently enlarged and is not as heavily-trafficked, so I highly recommend that you make the trip. To get here, ride the subway to Ikebukuro and follow the signs towards Sunshine City. Follow the arrows to Sunshine 60 Doori (street); you’ll see the giant shopping/entertainment complex, Sunshine City, ahead. A block before you reach the entrance, turn left and look for the Starbucks. Closet Child is on the third level.

If you found my Harajuku / Tokyo shopping maps and photos helpful, please consider buying one of my Jpop books or leaving me a tip (donate button is below)… this Godzilla-sized guide was the result of much bloodshed and toil…

To receive announcements about prize giveaways, job opportunities and other exciting Japanese fashion news, please subscribe to my mailing list. (I only send emails every 1-2 months, and you can opt out any time.)

† WHO IS LA CARMINA? † I am a professional Goth/subcultures blogger, travel TV host and fixer, author of 3 books (Penguin USA and Random House), and CNN / Huffington Post Travel and Style writer. My popular blog on Japan Gothic Lolita fashion / Visual Kei – www.lacarmina.com/blog – has been featured in major publications (The New Yorker, Washington Post, WWD, Village Voice, Time Out New York, LA Times). I’m the author of 3 books — including Cute Yummy Time (Penguin) and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (Random House) — and a graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School.

I’ve appeared on The Today Show and co-hosted an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel, which airs in 75 countries. NHK Japan filmed a documentary about my work; recent TV hosting and arranging credits include Dutch Pepsi, Sony Australia, Canal Plus France, Norway TV, and CNN International in Tokyo. I will be the Asia host for educational travel TV series, Project Explorer.
View my TV reels and full biography.

I run a coolhunting / trend consulting / TV hosting and arranging company: La Carmina & The Pirates.
- We specialize in Japan, Goth, alternative, cosplay, burlesque, LGBT, fashion, pop culture.
- Our services include TV production coordinating, on-camera hosting, Japanese translation and guiding, coolhunting, consulting.
- We’ve worked with CNN, NHK, Travel Channel, Canal Plus, Sony Australia, Dutch Pepsi, NRK Norway.
- For more about our services, please visit our Pirates website.

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Please feel free to contact La Carmina if you’d like to work with me in any capacity (TV hosting, arranging, writing, etc.) You can also keep in touch via my social networks below. Domo arigato gozaimasu!

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