In the past, we've brought you on a visit to Tokyo's famed Harajuku district, where Japan's youth show off their flair and individuality by dressing in brilliantly colorful costumes and strutting their stuff for an always willing cameraman or two, but haven't you wondered if perhaps there's more to Japanese style than just girls who look like living dolls?
Tokyo's cutting edge fashion sense certainly doesn't stop at the borders of Harajuku. Allow me to take you on a tour of the beautiful styles of the various districts!
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| [Bobsee] |
Ginza's fashion is comparable to that of modern metropolitan cities such as New York. If you visit the main boulevard that runs through the district (called Chuo-Dori), you will see such fashion landmarks as the ten story Chanel flagship store which boasts a gigantic video screen for fashion shows, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Cartier and more. In other words, Ginza is about high-end indulgence, so bring your credit cards!
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| [Luke Robinson] |
Shinjuku
Shinjuku fashion is much more relaxed in comparison to Ginza's. Girls favor colored stockings, frilly tops and skirts, hats, boots and long, oversized pieces to complement. Layers are key, as with most experimental Japanese fashion. It's easy to see why these girls always look so ahead of the times. You'll also see the new "Forest Girl" trend in full effect there. Leave it to Japan to transcend all the usual trends and invent their own!
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| [Antonia Hayes] |
Roppongi
If you can't afford to go shopping in the ultra-plush surroundings of Ginza, Roppongi is a highly acceptable substitute. Still high end but not quite as much so as Ginza, you can still stroll through Roppongi Hills and enjoy some incredible shopping. The look of Roppongi fashion is polished and clean, with quality fabrics by key designers making a good showing.
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| [Sab-chan] |
Shibuya
If a fashion trend is cool, you will see it within moments of emerging from the train onto the always-packed streets of Shibuya. The range of different types of fashion seen there is incredibly wide, and you will likely see a Gothic Lolita walking side by side with a woman in classic kimono or a man in a smart business suit. Many of the fashion trends Japan has become famous for pop up in Shibuya, including Ganguro girls, who dye their hair orange and deeply tan their skin as a way of rebelling against Japan's traditional societal norms.
Japanese Streets
Need a guide to get yourself in the know with Japanese fashion? Check out the excellent resource Japanese Streets.
Inspired by the stunningly creative street fashion that exploded on the streets of Tokyo and Osaka in the late 1990’s, photo-journalist Kjeld Duits started JAPANESE STREETS on November 22, 2002.
JS uploads many thousands of photos every year and regularly publishes interviews with designers and artists and reviews of cool shops.
Japanese Inspired Color
