Japanese Street Fashion 101: Harajuku to Shibuya

If you love anime streetwear, you owe a debt to Tokyo. Specifically, a few square miles that changed the world.

Harajuku: The Avant-Garde

The birthplace of "Fruits" magazine. Harajuku style is about clashing. Decora (piles of accessories), Gothic Lolita, and Cyberpunk. It is anti-trend. It is about extreme self-expression.

Shibuya: The Cool Kids

Home of the "Gyaru" in the 2000s and now the center of youth youth culture. Shibuya style is trendier, sharper, and more commercial. It’s where trends are solidified.

Akihabara: The Otaku Rise

Once just for electronics, Akihabara is now a fashion hub. "Akiba-kei" (Geek Style) has been reclaimed. Tuck your shirt in, wear the glasses, rock the backpack. It’s cool now.

Bringing it Home

Modern streetwear mixes these influences. We take the boldness of Harajuku and the polish of Shibuya.