YELLOW HOUSE, JIM SINN: HARAJUKU PUNK & VISUAL KEI CLOTHING BRANDS, FAMOUS JAPANESE SHOPS.
In Harajuku, the underground fashion is… literally underground. As you walk down Takeshita Doori, keep your eyes peeled on the left for the Yellow House sign. The little clothing stall is down a flight of steps, and an absolute must-visit. You’ll enter a cave filled with clippings of X Japan, Dir en Grey and Miyavi. Then, the old and spunky lady — who has been dominating this joint for decades — will pounce on you and zip you into punk rock clothing.
As I said in an interview: “I salute you, Yellow House Baba. You’ve been running your little Harajuku shop and designing outfits for famous Visual Kei / J-rock artists for 25 years. And you’re still scuttling around like a teenager, dressing people up in pirate punk cat hoodies when they wander in. Let’s hope I can be like you someday.”
Next door is Death Trap ID, another indie boutique. The clothes are rock, punk, Gothic, fun.
The fabrics and cuts are less refined than similar brands such as Sex Pot Revenge, but they make up for it in skulls and attitude.
There’s a wall of slinky tops and jackets for Visual / host boy types.
Viva Visual Kei!
Next door (and still underground) is Jim Sinn. Punk pants, custom leather jackets, and accessories such as a leather studded eyepatch. Arrr.
When you walk back up to the ground level, pop in next door to Takenoko: drag queen clothing heaven.
Poofs and glitter. These old-timers are some of the remaining indie shops in Harajuku, which is becoming run over by big retailers like Forever XXI — so I encourage you to support them.
Don’t forget to wander into the side streets, where you’ll find cheaper alternative clothing like in AC/DC. Want more photos, maps and guides to shopping in Harajuku? Please check out my shop guide here.
Thoughts on the disappearance of indie shops in Harajuku? Will this trend continue, or will we see a Renaissance?
PS: I have new hair! Added a certain bright color to my fading orange dye — can you guess what it is? Want to see photos?
Japanese Word of the Day: Binbou himanashi = No money or free time
Song of the Day: Syu – Against The Wind
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LA CARMINA
38 Comments
Is that a green hide jacket in one of the pictures? And Versailles’ costumes?! Ah~ too cool! These are definitely going on my must-visit list.
These are some of the best shops in Harajuku… be sure to find them! :)
How about a new hair post? :D
<3
Kyaah~! I wanna see! :DD photo photo photo! X3 umm maybe red or pink? :3
i’d hope not! smaller stores have the best variety :)
Ugh why can’t we have shops like this in the central states?
<3 Ahh, shops like this are rare everywhere, even in LA and NYC and Tokyo… sadly, they're disappearing more and more.
:'( so sad it happens in the central states too
magenta or yellow. pics!
Can’t wait too see it!
The economic recession is hitting hard. Perhaps explore the equivalent fashion streets in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka ?
A recent NY Times article about Japan’s glum mood at the continued recession is quite disheartening…
OOOOOO so colorful. For some reason I would love to see a girl play me a speed metal solo in the dress @ the 2nd picture (the red checkered one) – oh it just looks so adorable!
Glad to hear that there are still people that no matter what age, they never give up being passionate lovers of what they normally love! That’s the way it should be.
I love the picture with the “No Pictures” sign. (LOL!)
And I absolutely love the punk checkered pants from JIMSINN.
You know regarding this whole recession thing…it really is COMPLICATED. Because the one major thing you have to understand about the economy is that even though it may be a system, that can function well if you do something the right way, and go insane if you do something terribly wrong – it’s run by us: HUMAN BEINGS. We are not logical but rather rational.
Here was one situation in Japan some years ago – but now I think it’s faded away. There was one time where no one was being a consumer but rather holding on to their money. Why? Well…because there was something that happened where as the store owners and companies decreased their prices to have more people come shop, the people got richer! Get it? Just hold on to the money, and bam – your money increased in value! But hang on a sec…what about your actual income? You have a job too don’t you? Uh oh – so yea that didn’t go well.
Why do you have money? It’s meant to spend! You stimulate the economy yourselves, it’s a constant transaction to have your necessities, desires, and investment for the sake of personality.
Japan’s economy is quite interesting though…damn is economics complex, another issue are banks – but that’s everywhere these days UGH…it’s Friday…I’m done with economics class why the hell am I still talking about it. … … … *glares at Basil*
Basil runs away with his tail hanging down!
So, so complicated. A lot of people don’t realize that all income is spent… either you spend it, or you put it in the bank and they spend it (lend it out). Individually, I think people are more cautious now and think before they purchase… but then again, that can merely prolong or worsen matters… augh so complex
I’d love to see the color!
Wow!!!There’re too much place I shell visit next time I visit Japan.I was a 10 years old little girl last time I visit Japan,knowing nothing about such a fancy world!
Store like these is needed but it’s always hard to against big brands.sad…
I agree. These stores need to stay… I bought a cat hoodie from Yellow House. I’ll try to support these stores more in the future…
i was there a few days ago!! :D
i LOVE death trap ID
they always have something that catches my eyes there hehe <3
ahaha yes! The old-timer stores are also the most flamboyant. :)
awesome;-; japanese has better clothes than we do.;^;
I want to see your new hair! It’ll be awesome like it always is :D Yup, indies shops are slowly going down to bigger and more expensive brands that everyone wears just because it’s ‘in’. ><"
arrrr!!!
LOL! I recognize that Sweet Lolita fabric that the dress is made out of, in the doorway of “ac dc” (I believe you said that was the shop’s name anyway)… I made a dress out of the same fabric, with the black background instead of the pink… got it from an Ebay merchant from Korea… it’s fantastic quality fabric, too.
thats awesome. ;_; any of these places have an online store lol-_-;
teehee “no pictures” you rebel you :)
muahah ;)
More clothing porn. x3 Is your hair hot pink?
Photos of my new hair are up! http://lacarmina.com/2010/10/japan-punk-clothes-for-girls-harajuku-punk-lolita-fashion-designs-camden-lock-clothing-sugarpill-cosmetics/
That red and white polka dot cardigan with the bunny and the lolita dress is sooo cute! Man do I love alternative fashion :3
beａｕｔｉｆｕｌ！！
waahaahaa!!! i love yellow house!!! and i still remember the old lady XD
she kept telling me that she owns the shop & she’s the designer. she asked me if i’ve heard of miyavi. she kept talking even when i was in the dressing room, trying on some clothes XD
she’s very cool!!! :D
She is more of a rock star than all of them!
The news that shops in Harajuku aren’t doing well makes me sad… I hope things get better and all the unique stores don’t go away!
I hope things will turn around soon too.
argg i love yellow house she made me wear pants saying i will look “smart” hahaha she such a lovely lady. me and my bf went back a few times just to say hi. my bf ended up buying a few things there hes a huge fan of gazette he was so happy XD
haha funny!!
I was in Harajuki around maybe 2012 or so. There was a place that had a bunch of shirts and jackets and things with visual kei cartoon punk animal designs. I’ve been trying to find them online since. Do you have any idea what I may be talking about and where to look for them? Thank you!!