Any fashion-forward individual would know that if you are looking for high-quality streetwear, Japan is one of the best places to find them. Ever since A Bathing Ape (BAPE) exploded onto the scene in the early 1990s, the world has become more and more familiar with Japanese streetwear brands. You will find them on some of your favorite celebrities, from YouTube stars like PewDiePie to singer-songwriter John Mayer.
Shop Japanese Streetwear
Today, we are here to introduce you to some of the best Japanese streetwear brands that you need to know of, whether you are a seasoned aficionado or just looking to get started. (Pssst, if you are looking for denim brands, we got you covered.) [Updated in 2023]
Also Read: THE TOP 10 JAPANESE DENIM BRANDS YOU NEED TO KNOW OF
1. KAPITAL
KAPITAL got its start in the 1980s as a denim brand and has since grown into one of the more recognizable streetwear labels in the country. They have a bit of a cult following who love the brand’s unconventional, avant-garde-meets-hobo aesthetic. The owners and designers are father-son duo Toshikiyo Hirata and Kiro Hirata, who take special care to ensure each design utilizes traditional Japanese dyeing techniques and crafts.
KAPITAL’s more famous products include their indigo denim products (not surprising, considering the brand is based in Kojima, the denim capital of Japan), as well as their ring coats. They also have a sub-label, KOUNTRY.
Shop Kapital from Japan
2. visvim
visvim (ビズヴィム) is easily one of the most famous contemporary Japanese streetwear brands on this list. Fans of the brand include well-known entertainers such as Kanye West, John Mayer, Drake, and A$AP Rocky, all of whom have been seen rocking visvim’s most popular product, the FBT. While visvim started as a footwear manufacturer, they now have developed a full clothing line that is heavily inspired by founder Hiroki Nakamura’s travels. Nakamura spares no expense in the craftsmanship of his designs as well, using rare textiles and labor-intensive methods to produce truly top-notch products.
Shop visvim from Japan
3. Cav Empt
cav empt (C.E / CAV EMPT / シーイー) is short for “caveat emptor”, Latin for buyer beware, but there is nothing to beware of with this streetwear label. A favorite brand of famous YouTuber PewDiePie. The minds behind this brand are Sk8thing, who is a graphic designer at BAPE, and Toby Feltwell, creative director of Pharrell William’s clothing line. It is of no surprise, then, that the style of cav empt is retro-futuristic, with collections that are driven by bold design. We like to think they’re streetwear for an upmarket crowd.
Shop CAP EMPT from Japan
4. Wacko Maria
What should two retired J-League professional footballers do? Start a clothing brand, apparently. What started off as the Rock Steady bar in Tokyo eventually evolved into the Japanese menswear brand Wacko Maria（ワコマリア). The label is heavily inspired by music, particularly the rockabilly subcultures, as well as Latin American styles. Even so, their designs are unique, kitschy and larger-than-life. In particular, their embroidered bomber jackets are a big hit and an ode to classic Japanese street styles.
Shop Wacko Maria from Japan
5. UNDERCOVER
If you’re not willing to sacrifice high fashion for punk streetwear, UNDERCOVER （アンダーカバー) is your brand. Their motto, “We make noise, not clothes.” explains their design philosophy -- rebellion and disruption are at its core. Jun Takahashi, the label’s founder, blends pop culture with punk aesthetics to create what is one of the more influential Japanese streetwear brands today. It also boasts numerous high-profile collaborations, including with NIKE, Valentino, Doc Martens, Converse and more.
Shop Undercover from Japan
6. Needles
An offshoot of the Japanese store Nepenthes, the Needles (ニードルズ) label is heavily inspired by classic American military clothing and casual wear. Their designs are quirky and tend not to be for everyone, but they have a devoted following who love their bold reworks, contemporary designs, and quality to detail. The Nepenthes brand, which was started by buddies Keizo Shimizu and Daiki Suzuki, also has other labels that are just as popular, including Engineered Garments.
Shop Needles from Japan
7. Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto (ヨウジヤマモト) is one of the most famous Japanese fashion designers. The label takes Japanese minimalism to the next label, with its timeless designs, simplicity and impeccable craftsmanship. They also tend towards being more draped and having a more layered style, with asymmetric silhouettes, drop-crotches, and oversized fits. If you are looking for a vibrant closet though, this label is not for you. Yohji works primarily with black, even in all his collaborations, which include Doc Martens, Adidas, and more.
Shop Yohji Yamamoto from Japan
Also Read: JAPANESE FASHION DESIGNERS WHO IMPACTED GLOBAL FASHION
8. KURO
KURO (クロ), which simply means “black”, is a relatively new streetwear brand, having debuted only in 2010. Founder Yusuke Yatsuhashi puts Japanese craftsmanship at the forefront of his label, ensuring quality by frequently traveling to the factories to make garments himself. His designs tend to be more minimalist and clean-cut, but are magic in its innovation. He is known in the industry for constantly seeking to develop new original materials, sewing methods and preserve Japanese culture through his collections. All of his products are also 100% made in Japan.
Shop KURO from Japan
9. FACETASM
If you’re not a fan of the minimalist stylings of Yohji or KURO, then you might just be into FACETASM (ファセッタズム). The brand chooses not to categorize itself. Instead, each collection is meant to be distinctive from the predecessor, playing off the whimsies of founder and designer Hiromichi Ochiai. Even so, their concept is to express Tokyo street culture in a fun and free way, and if their previous collections are anything to go by, that is exactly what they are doing. Their designs tend to be playful, bold and quirky.
Shop FACETASM from Japan
10. A BATHING APE (BAPE)
BAPE is probably the most famous Japanese streetwear brand out there. It has two offshoot labels, AAPE (by A Bathing Ape) and BAPY (Busy Working Lady), but their main label, BAPE, is the most prominent. Odds are, even if you know nothing about Japanese streetwear, you have seen their popular camo-patterned clothing somewhere. Other popular products of theirs include the shark hoodies and insulated snow jackets.
Shop BAPE from Japan
11. BEAMS
BEAMS is a prominent Japanese fashion retailer and brand known for its eclectic and diverse selection of clothing and lifestyle products. Founded in 1976, BEAMS has become a key player in Japan's fashion industry and is recognized for its unique curation of both domestic and international fashion labels.
It started as a small store, roughly 21-square-meter section of floorspace in Harajuku. The full original name of the store was American Life Shop Beams, and the product selection was meant to evoke the college dorm room of a UCLA student. It offered t-shirts and jeans as well as skateboards and the like—it put forth not just a vision for fashion but a vision for a style of life. Beams targets all ages and has many in-house sub-labels.
The BEAMS brand itself offers a wide range of clothing and accessories, often characterized by its contemporary and casual style. BEAMS has a strong commitment to quality and craftsmanship, making it a popular choice for those who appreciate well-made and stylish clothing.
Now it includes a comprehensive selection of luxury items beyond fashion that is relatively more expensive and sometimes exclusive. It runs Ray Beams and Beams Boy, both of which cater to women, the art-oriented International Gallery Beams, t-shirt brand Beams T, record store/record label Beams Records, and the Tokyo concept stores Beams Japan and Tokyo Culture by Beams.
Shop BEAMS from Japan
Also Read: LIFESTYLE AND FASHION SELECT STORES IN JAPAN
12. EVISU
Evisu is a Japanese fashion brand known for its high-quality denim products and street-inspired style. The brand was founded in 1991 by designer Hidehiko Yamane, and its name is derived from the Japanese god of prosperity, Ebisu. Evisu is known for its attention to detail and the use of traditional Japanese manufacturing techniques, such as handcrafting denim fabric and dyeing it with natural indigo.
In addition to its iconic denim products, Evisu also offers a wide range of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. The brand is highly popular among fashion enthusiasts and is represented in major cities around the world, including Tokyo, Paris, New York, and London.
Evisu's collections often draw inspiration from traditional Japanese culture and art, and the brand is known for its bold graphics and patterns.
Shop Evisu Jeans from Japan
13. Comme Des Garcons
Comme des Garçons is a Japanese fashion brand led by the Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo for over half a century.
The brand has a reputation for constant evolution and challenging traditional notions of beauty and style.
Comme des Garçons offers several lines, including COMME des Garçons, COMME des Garçons Homme, COMME des Garçons Play, and COMME des Garçons Junya Watanabe, with clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. Each line has its own aesthetic, but they are all characterized by innovative and progressive design.
In addition to clothing, COMME des Garçons has made a name for itself in the world of perfumery, releasing a range of unique and memorable fragrances. The brand has stores in major cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Paris, New York, and London, making it a global player in the fashion industry.
If you're looking for ultra-contemporary fashion or something truly unusual, COMME des Garçons has a solution for everyone. Thanks to its commitment to creativity and individuality, the brand has managed to maintain a devoted following. So, if you want to make a statement with your style, COMME des Garçons is the brand for you.
Shop Comme Des Garcons from Japan
14. Sacai
Sacai is a Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Chitose Abe in 1999. Abe's unique vision and innovative approach to fashion have made Sacai one of the most influential brands in the Japanese fashion industry.
Sacai's designs are known for their hybrid, avant-garde aesthetic, often combining elements of sportswear, streetwear, and high fashion.
Abe loves to work with silhouettes, reimagining and recreating them, and complementing the looks with contrasting textures. She is also unafraid to work with 3D design, skillfully incorporating it into sportswear collections. Sacai has successfully collaborated with Moncler, Dover Street Market, and Nike.
Shop Sacai from Japan
15. Human Made
HUMAN MADE （ヒューマンメイド）is a Japanese fashion brand created by NIGO, a renowned fashion designer and music producer. The brand is known for its unique blend of vintage Americana and Japanese streetwear influences. Established in 2010, HUMAN MADE focuses on producing high-quality clothing and accessories with a nostalgic and retro aesthetic.
HUMAN MADE often incorporates playful and nostalgic graphics into its designs, with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and attention to detail. The brand has gained a dedicated following for its vintage-inspired pieces, which evoke a sense of nostalgia and authenticity.
Collaborations with other brands and artists, as well as limited-edition releases, are common features of HUMAN MADE's approach to fashion. The brand has a strong presence both in Japan and internationally, making it a notable name in contemporary streetwear and fashion culture.
Shop Human Made from Japan
16. Neighbourhood
Neighborhood is a Japanese streetwear fashion brand founded in 1994 by designer Shinsuke Takizawa. The brand is known for its emphasis on using high-quality materials and manufacturing techniques.
Neighborhood emerged from the same fashion scene known as "Ura-Harajuku," which gave rise to fashion giants like UNDERCOVER, WTAPS, BAPE, and other brands.
Like other streetwear brands, NEIGHBORHOOD skillfully blends cultural references and compelling storytelling, demonstrating consistency in each new collection. The brand pays great attention to quality control at every stage of production.
Shop Neighborhood from Japan
17. Y-3
Y-3 (ワイスリー) is a high-end fashion brand that represents a collaboration between the renowned Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and the German sportswear giant Adidas. The name "Y-3" combines Yohji's "Y" with the iconic three stripes of adidas, creating a unique and instantly recognizable brand identity.
Established in 2002, Y-3 is known for its fusion of avant-garde fashion and sportswear elements. The brand's designs often feature oversized silhouettes, minimalist aesthetics, and a monochromatic color palette, reflecting Yohji Yamamoto's signature style. Y-3 has been influential in redefining the boundaries between high fashion and athletic wear.
Y-3 offers a range of neutral and unisex clothing, footwear, and accessories for both men and women, emphasizing functionality, innovation, and modernity. The brand has a global presence and has become a symbol of luxury sportswear.
Shop Y-3 from Japan
18. Mastermind Japan
Have you signed up for ZenMarket yet?
ZenMarket is the place to get your hands on goods directly from Japan!
Sign up for FREE now
