A Gentleman's Guide To Looking Good In Tokyo

Tokyo is arguably one of the most stylish cities in the world – dressing well in Japan‘s capital is just part of everyday life, which makes it the perfect place to shop. Whether it’s a dapper suit, a fresh haircut, or stylish street-ready threads, Tokyo has everything you need to dress to impress. Here’s our ultimate guide.

The suburb

Of course, spend any amount of time here and you’ll soon realise that Tokyo offers individual niches for all tastes – no matter your style, there’s something for you in this incredible cultural hub. In terms of looking good and dressing high-end, there are a few suburbs you can hit for all your gentleman needs.

Hiroo is a district of Shibuya located not too far from Roppongi. This little pocket of Tokyo prides itself for being home to nothing but the best. It’s also home to a very diverse and well-off international community, making it an always pleasant place to hang out with great cafés, high-end restaurants and more fancy salons than you count. If you have just a few hours to spend in the city, spend them here.

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The salon

There’s no better way to start looking good than with a fresh cut and shave. Though it’s a little further out of the central hub of the city, Barber Shop Takeda is the top spot that many Tokyo gentlemen frequent. Featuring a classic old barber-style interior and impeccable service to match, a visit to this popular west side stop-off is truly an experience.

To fully appreciate the service, try getting the ‘gentlemen’s regular’ which costs around 4,000 yen ($40USD). With this deal you’re treated to a cut, shampoo, head massage and the best fresh shave you’ll ever experience in your life – a visit takes about 45-60 heavenly minutes. If you’re travelling with a lady friend, they can also be treated to a ‘lady’s shave’ too.

2-31-16 Kikunadai, Chofu-shi, Tokyo, +81 04 2483 1145

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The tailor

If it’s tailor made suits you’re after, you’ve come to the right place – when it comes to craftsmanship, nobody takes it more seriously than the Japanese. Though what’s on offer may not be as affordable as other countries, there are a number of options for different price ranges.

On the more budget-friendly end of the spectrum, consider making a visit to Azabu Tailor. The store here offers three main classic styles: ‘Classico Italia’, the ‘Continental’ and the ‘Jet Cruise’, with prices starting at around the 37,000 yen mark ($370 USD). Book a meeting with the team to measure, discuss budget and style, and around four weeks later you’ll be the proud owner of a perfectly crafted Japanese suit.

If you have cash to splash, then maybe it’s worth considering a visit to Caid Modern Tailoring in Shibuya. This super classic store has been around for decades, and though it’s worth a visit for any serious suit aficionado, be aware that it does take around three visits over three to five weeks for the suit to be completed. The cost of a suit ranges from 198,000 yen ($1980USD) to 35,000 yen ($3500), depending on what you’re after.

Azabu Tailor – Shinjuku-ku, 160-0022 Tokyo, 3 Chome-25, 3-25-10 Hirayama Building 4F, Japan, +81 3 3358 9921

Caid Modern Tailoring – 41-31 Udagawachō, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0042, Japan, +81 3 6685 1101

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Everyday wear

If you’re not too much of a suit guy, that’s fine – Tokyo has more street-ready stylish casual stores than you can count. If you’re after something a little more authentically Tokyo, then make a trip to Studious’ men’s-only store in Harajuku. This self-described ‘anti-department store’ focuses on showcasing only local designers, meaning that what you pick up here will most likely be a one of a kind, or at least one of a very limited few piece. They have a number of stores throughout the city with different specialisations, but this one is uniquely for men.

4 Chome-27 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0001, Japan, +81 3 3746 7388

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The frames

Japan arguably has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, which is probably why the population is living so long. From cheap doctors visits and dental appointments, one other more style-focused perk is that prescription lenses are often very cheap, so you can spend more on the frames. If you want something specifically Japanese, make a visit to 999.9 (pronounced ‘four nines’). With a keen eye for sizing and an importance on comfort, the team at this uniquely Japanese store will be able to hook you up with the most stylish and well-fitting glasses you can find anywhere.

Ginza Six 5F, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, +81 3 3535 4949

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