French mid-century design meets Japanese minimalism and German modernity in this curated selection of four Tokyo-based boutiques. Each shop proposes a distinct approach to vintage with a thoughtful eye, ranging from furniture to fashion and objects. A guided tour.
An Eclectic Gallery Blending Postmodernism and Craft
A layered, evolving display where time periods and origins intermingle. The table on the left is a rare piece by Kazuhide Takahama, whose work is currently undergoing renewed appreciation.
‘Dr. Sonderbar’, a tripod stool designed by Philippe Starck and produced between 1983 and 1989. ¥770,000.
Left, a glass vase by Czech designer Bořek Šípek. Right, a light by Kazuhide Takahama. Prices range from ¥38,500 to ¥330,000.
Tucked away in a discreet building near Gakugei-daigaku Station, YOU ARE WELCOME has become a quiet favorite among collectors and creatives. The shop brings together, without hierarchy, 1980s postmodern design, ancient Bizen pottery, and handcrafted objects from Africa and Asia. The result is an intuitive and free-flowing selection that redefines what vintage can be.
Founder Shūtarō Yaguchi, a stylist and furniture designer, draws on his background in fashion to inform his curatorial practice. Whether anonymous or signed, each piece is selected based on instinct and personal resonance.
Among the controlled chaos of the space, visitors might spot a desk or light fixture by Kazuhide Takahama, the Japanese designer known for his work in 1950s Italy, or an early chair by Philippe Starck or Jasper Morrison. Each visit brings new discoveries.
YOU ARE WELCOME
Adress: 4-5 Moto-Yoyogi-chō, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 1F・B1
Phone: +8180-3425-8608
Opening hours announced on Instagram.
www.instagram.com/youarewelcome.tokyoEuropean Vintage Meets Japanese ‘Wabi-Sabi’
The ‘Bloc’ sideboard by Charlotte Perriand stands alongside anonymous vintage pieces and contemporary works
Left, an ‘Easy Chair’ by Pierre Jeanneret. Right, Charlotte Perriand’s ‘Ombre’ chair, beneath wall lights designed by the same creator.
A refined selection of everyday objects, including an ashtray by Isamu Kenmochi, a sake glass by Sōri Yanagi, and cutlery designed by Perriand for JAL. Prices available upon request.
Located on a quiet backstreet in Azabu-Jūban, Objet d’art delicately merges the clean lines of French mid-century furniture with the understated elegance of Japanese design. Here, iconic works by Jean Prouvé or Charlotte Perriand coexist with rustic Japanese pieces that evoke wabi-sabi, alongside now-coveted examples of Japanese modernism.
Perriand’s creations take center stage, from her signature ‘Bloc’ sideboards to the ‘Ombre’ chair she developed with Tendo Mokko, or the desk and seating she designed for her own chalet. Yet, anonymous finds are given equal consideration, curated with a discerning eye.
The space also features contemporary artworks, creating thoughtful compositions with the furniture and offering subtle cues for interior styling.
Objet d’art
Adress: Fukujinkan #102, 3-3-8 Higashi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +8180-3255-6891
Open 12pm–7pm.
Closed on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
initialjapan-inc.comVintage Clothing, Reframed for the Present
Interior by Atsushi Nagata (Milestone), featuring a skylit plaster ceiling and raw concrete surfaces.
Left, a Soviet military jacket paired with matching trousers, ¥56,100. Right, a Montana shirt from the late 1980s, whose minimalist cut rivals contemporary luxury brands. ¥38,500.
The shopfront retains the original awning of the former pharmacy, a subtle nod to London’s wine bars.
Temporary first took shape as a pop-up above the innovative restaurant Kabi, on Meguro-dōri. The concept quickly gained traction, leading to the opening of a permanent space in 2023. With its minimalist interior, designed like an art gallery, the store reflects founder Takuya Nakajima’s sharp and modern aesthetic.
Moving away from nostalgic clichés, the selection celebrates clean lines and contemporary restraint: menswear and womenswear, accessories, footwear, and a few original T-shirts made in-house. The overall tone leans toward quiet luxury—timeless silhouettes free of loud logos or overstated prints.
Temporary
Adress: 1-2-2 Chūōchō, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +813-6412-8269
Mon–Wed: 4pm–9pm. Sat, Sun & holidays: 1pm–8pm.
Closed on Thursday and Friday.
www.instagram.com/temporary_tokyoBicycles, Reassembled with Style
The original Beaspo signage remains on the façade. Founder Mitsuaki Musha stands at the entrance.
A 1980s Antares frame fitted with a Shimano 600EX derailleur from the 1970s and a Selle San Marco Rolls saddle. ¥121,200.
‘The more you polish a good material, the more it gives back,’ Musha explains. Right, a Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport component; left, a Nuovo Valentino.
The walls display portraits of around 600 customers who have purchased bicycles since the shop’s reopening.
Mitsuaki Musha discovered the appeal of road cycling at the age of 60. But rather than focusing on long rides, he became captivated by the process of dismantling, polishing, and rebuilding vintage frames into custom bicycles. When he began showcasing them at the shop for his sportswear brand Beaspo, they proved an instant hit—particularly among younger customers. He soon shifted focus entirely to bicycles, and Migakiya Cycle was born.
In a niche often dominated by purists, Musha’s aesthetic stands apart. With a retro look and accessible pricing, his bikes resonate with a younger audience in search of both function and character. Today, his shop has become a hub for a new generation of riders.
Migakiya Cycle
Adress: 4-36-14 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +813-5371-0995
Open 12pm–6pm.
Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
www.instagram.com/migakiya.cycle
AloJapan.com