The Best Japanese Clothing Brands

We all have one friend who’s fallen down the rabbit hole of Japanese fashion. It seems like you can’t talk to them without them mentioning some new avant-garde designer that is making a name for themselves among fashionistas.

Japanese fashion rewards that enthusiasm with the advent of resellers and limited capsule drops, allowing the most dedicated of fans a slice of exclusivity. However, that doesn’t mean that Japanese clothing is only for the select few.

In reality, the best Japanese clothing brands make products that could fit into anyone’s wardrobe regardless of how invested they are in the fashion game. Allow us to educate you about some of the brands that are either pushing the medium forward or making the best all-purpose garments around. 

How to Shop the Best Japanese Clothing Brands

You might feel nervous about shopping for the best Japanese clothing brands online due to the sheer variety of prices, looks, and products.

Thankfully for you, we’ve isolated the three things you should take into consideration when looking for clothing to make your shopping experience as easy as making your morning Keurig coffee or matcha tea if you really want to get into it.

Aesthetic

Every brand in this list of the best Japanese clothing brands has their own particular vision, meaning you’re guaranteed to find one that suits your needs whether you like to play it safe or go all out.

Price

Some of the companies we’ve covered produce luxury pieces, so prices can range from “oh, I may as well get it,” to the price of a new mortgage.

With that in mind, we will tell you about some of the best affordable Japanese clothing brands too, so don’t you worry.

Functionality 

What solidifies a company as one of the best Japanese clothing brands is how their items can fit into your daily life. Some of the brands we love can suit any situation because their designs and shapes are rather tame. 

On the other hand, Japanese fashion has a penchant for challenging people’s perceptions of what can even be considered “clothing.” Some companies are as much about making artistic statements as they are about making shirts or pants.

With all of that in mind, we’ll take you through the best of the best when it comes to Japanese clothing brands. In no particular order, here they are, ready to walk the virtual runway:

1. Asics
2. MIYAGIHIDETAKA
3. NEIGHBOURHOOD
4. WTAPS
5. Comme des Garçons
6. Suicoke
7. Junya Watanabe
8. Sacai
9. Yohji Yamamoto
10. Noi Kei Ninomiya
11. Ambush
12. Undercover
13. Issey Miyake
14. Needles
15. Wacko Maria
16. Uniqlo
17. Human Made
18. Blue Blue Japan
19. Kapital
20. Adeam

20 Best Japanese Clothing Brands

Join us as we take you through a journey of the Land of the Rising Sun’s best fashion offerings. We’re certain you’ll discover at least one company that’s bound to become your new favorite.

#1 – Asics

Asics may primarily be known as a sportswear company, but that doesn’t limit their fashion options to the tennis court. Their products often exude a degree of athleticism like they’re subtly hinting “yeah, I work out” without needing to scream the statement into everyone’s face.

They’ve been putting feet into shoes since 1949. They cultivated a fervent fan following with their esteemed Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 court shoe. 

Chances are, if you’ve heard of Asics, it’s because of this shoe. It helps that Bruce Lee helped advertise the item by wearing it while he kicked people’s teeth in.

What makes Asics one of the best Japanese clothing brands online is the versatility of their products. Their well-crafted designs are multi-functional and reserved in design so that they can suit the athlete, the stylish bookworm, or the would-be Instagram-sponsored gym bro.

Here are some of our favorite Asics pieces:

• Asics Gel-Nimbus Lite 3: $160 
• Asics I MOVE ME Track Top: $65
• Asics Gel-Kayano 28 Platinum: $180

#2 – MIYAGIHIDETAKA

MIYAGIHIDETAKA is one of the newer companies among our list of the best Japanese clothing brands. This company was founded in 2017 by Miyagi Hidetaka and carries his eccentric spirit.

There’s plenty of Americana lining the MIYAGIHIDETAKA product lines. 

Flannel patterns, bandana flirtations, and bold color choices all distinguish MIYAGIHIDETAKA from other Japanese clothing brands. However, their availability is narrow. The company only releases a few items at a time and their prices are quite high.

With that being said, the garments’ quality and rebellious designs are what earn them their spot as one of the best Japanese clothing brands online.

Check out these two pieces that really caught our attention:

• MIYAGIHIDETAKA Black Flannel Shirt: $223
• MIYAGIHIDETAKA Blue Flannel Shirt: $223

#3 – NEIGHBOURHOOD

You can’t make a list of the best Japanese clothing brands without delving into the country’s overwhelming streetwear culture. NEIGHBOURHOOD is a premiere streetwear brand with punky designs and a particular taste for dark colors.

Many of their pieces tap into workwear as well. Lead designer Shinsuke Takizawa embeds many of the brand’s best items with a degree of sturdiness that captures what defines so much of modern streetwear.

NEIGHBOURHOOD items are tough both in aesthetics and in manufacturing. These pieces give off an almost confrontational vibe as if they’re not going to take disrespect from anyone. That stubbornness slots them as among the best Japanese clothing brands online.

Here are some items that exemplify Shinsuke Takizawa’s ethos:

• NEIGHBORHOOD Thunderstruck. ft/ ER- Coat Black: $830
• NEIGHBORHOOD Isley / E-Coat Black, Outerwear: $680
• NEIGHBORHOOD Baggy / C-PT Black, Bottoms: $265

#4 – WTAPS

Tetsu Nishiyama’s streetwear brand is timely in their designs. They’ve been around since 1997 but their workwear-meets-streetwear designs seem like guiding lights in modern fashion sensibilities. 

Their product drops frequently cause massive line-ups outside of their Japanese retail locations, and we’re not surprised. They exhale coolness thanks to relaxed fits, tame color choices, and a measured eye towards sturdy fabrics.

All these decisions reflect why WTAPS makes our list as a leader among the best Japanese clothing brands.

Feast your eyes on some of their gorgeous offerings:

• WTAPS TERRITORY/PULL OVER/RAPO: $311
• WTAPS WMILL-65/JACKET/NYCO. SATIN. CORDURA: $611

#5 – Comme des Garçons

Although Comme des Garçons have only entered the modern mainstream fashion consciousness thanks to the ubiquity of their collaboration with Converse, they’ve long sat on the throne as one of the best Japanese clothing brands. Rei Kawakubo’s company has been setting trends since 1969.

The brand combines Kawakubo’s punk fascinations with a high fashion mindset owing to their Paris location.

While punk and fashion runways may seem like an odd pairing, one quick glance over the Comme des Garçons offerings will convince you that they two couldn’t be sold any other way.

Here are some of our favorite pieces from the company:

• Comme des Garcons Navy Wool Pleated Skirt Trousers: $710
• Comme des Garcons Black Satin Garment-Treated Trousers: $434

#6 – Suicoke

If you’ve ever maligned sandals as being “ugly,” then Suicoke will convince you otherwise. Their eccentric footwear interpretations are some of the most creative sandals available today. There are few companies that can capture comfort and ingenious style like Suicoke.

Suicoke mainly dabbles with sandals above all other products, but they do also manufacture slides, boots, and shoes that all carry the brand’s penchant for disregarding the rules.

These are the products that solidify Suicoke as a top Japanese fashion company:

• Suicoke Dr. Martens Edition MURA – Croco: $250
• Suicoke KISEE-VPO: $220

#7 – Junya Watanabe

If you liked what you saw from Comme des Garcons then you’ll want to check out what company protege Junya Watanabe offers. His designs take a more technical approach to modern wear but still have Comme des Garcons’ rule-breaking attitude. 

While many Junya Watanabe pieces may appear tame at first, the more you look at them the more you’ll realize how they subtly defy conventions. Drooped shoulders and bulky pants only cover a portion of the company’s interest in the process behind garment production.

We believe these items are worth your while:

• Junya Watanabe Green Knit Liner Jacket: $1,381  
• Junya Watanabe Beige Paneled Gabardine Coat: $1,467

#8 – Sacai

Sacai blew up as one of the best Japanese clothing brands for their bonkers (we say that as a compliment) collaboration with Nike known as the Sacai x Nike Waffle. 

That item exemplified so much of what sets this brand apart from others: bold colors, non-conformist designs, and eye-catching shapes.

Founder Chitose Abe took the lessons he learned working for Comme des Garcons and Junya Watanabe to push the envelope in regards to conventional fashion. Sacai products are for people who want to show up at any location dressed to show up.

Here are some products that best showcase Sacai’s design sensibilities:

• Sacai Green Nylon Paneled Skirt: $945
• Sacai Cotton Oxford 2 Pocket Pant Black: $695

#9 – Yohji Yamamoto

We’ve spoken plenty about boundary-pushing in this list about the best Japanese clothing brands online, but nobody smashes conventions and turns heads like Yohji Yamamoto. Yamamoto himself carved out a distinct philosophy that can be summarized as black and angular. 

Though the company does produce garments in line with more reserved tastes, their best products are the ones that will have you reconsidering whether fashion has any limitations at all. Their pieces are almost always black and favor interesting shapes and fabrics over everything.

The pieces we’ve included here have us foaming at the mouth:

• Yohji Yamamoto Wool Melton M-59 Cargo Pants: $300
• Yohji Yamamoto Wool Gabardine Back Pleated Jacket: $1,404

#10 – Noir Kei Ninomiya

You can tell that Kei Ninomiya loves black just from the company’s name (noir is French for black, reflecting both Ninomiya’s weakness for black as a color and the inspiration he draws from French fashion). 

There’s a playfulness behind every Noir Kei Ninomiya piece like they’re seeing how far they can step outside the norm without breaking down the entire fashion industry.

The brand prioritizes craftsmanship in their item production. They would rather play with the process that goes into garment manufacturing instead of worrying about whether the final product looks “in-style”. That curiosity gives each Noir Kei Ninomiya item admirable confidence.

Look at some of these avant-garde Noir Kei Ninomiya wares:

• Noir Kei Ninomiya Spike Top Body Chain: $1,688
• Noir Kei Ninomiya Black Ribbon Ponte T-Shirt: $379

#11 – Ambush

Ambush evolved from a jewelry line into one of the best Japanese clothing brands for unisex garments. Much like how the best jewelry is as tasteful as it is opulent, Ambush products tip-toe towards the cutting edge of fashion without overstepping into parody.

While many of their products are unisex, it’s in their gendered designs that Ambush distinguishes themselves. That’s when they really see how avant-garde they can get without disrupting the fabric (pun intended) of design sensibilities.

These are some of the items that caught our eyes:

• Ambush Multicord Crewneck Sweatshirt: $960
• Ambush Leather Pants: $966

#12 – Undercover

Undercover is designer Jun Takahashi’s creation, combining his love for urban-level design, rebelliousness, and a measure of class. Their products are more elegant than a typical snot-nosed punk would be seen wearing.

With that being said, there isn’t an inch of compromise in any Undercover piece. They all burn with Takahashi’s desire to push streetwear into the future through their designs that err between traditional and dangerous.

Check out these great Undercover items:

• Undercover Crewneck Sweater Black: $368
• Undercover Jacket Black: $655 

#13 – Issey Miyake 

This brand has a plethora of clothing lines that the founder Issey Miyake oversees, meaning that although each one serves a different purpose they’re all guided by Miyake’s astute textural eye.

This attention to textures plants Issey Miyake as one of the most interesting brands on this list. Their items frequently balance unmatched comfort with uncompromising shapes. They often use wool and linen to craft some of the softest products available composed of sharp angles and unexpected decisions.

We could dedicate an entire article to our most-beloved Issey Miyake pieces, but we’ll include just a few here:

• Issey Miyake Slant Pleats: $794, currently unavailable
• Issey Miyake Fit: $365

#14 – Needles

Needles have been defying conventions since 1995. Keizo Shimizu began the company as a way to create what he felt the fashion industry lacked. The result: nearly 30 years of his unbridled creative vision.

Nowadays, the brand is best known for their reinterpretations on classic designs and patterns, as if they’re remaking new products out of old frameworks. This is most evident in their famed Needles 7 Cuts Shirt.

See how experimental Needles can get with these interesting choices.

• Needles G9 Printed Cord – Paisley – Black: $705
• Needles Track Crew Neck Shirt: $282

#15 – Wacko Maria

Would it be corny to call Wacko Maria’s designs wacky, because that’s the adjective that best describes their rousing pieces. Unabashed leopard prints are the brand’s calling card. 

If that doesn’t line up with your preferred look then fret not! They also integrate decadent color schemes and larger-than-life patterns with whimsy.

Wacko Maria is best suited for people who favor challenging styles over out-of-the-ordinary shapes. Their patterns and schemes are all eye-catching but Wacko Maria intelligently contrasts them with reserved clothing shapes. 

Here are some of our favorite Wacko Maria items:

• Wacko Maria McGregor/paisley Velvet Anti Freeze Jacket: $634, currently unavailable
• Wacko Maria Nanga/Leopard Down Jacket: $1,095 

#16 – Uniqlo

Uniqlo oozes simplicity and elegance unlike any other brand. They’ve earned their prestige as one of the most reliable modern fashion companies due to their esteemed quality for affordable prices.

In fact, Uniqlo is arguably the best affordable Japanese clothing brand because of how well their products are manufactured. They don’t experiment too much with their main clothing line, meaning their pieces are always in style.

They do have a creative streak that comes out in the Uniqlo U line and JW Anderson collections, but their best products are their quietest, like the ones we’ve included below:

• Uniqlo Women Heattech Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt: $25
• Uniqlo Men Cashmere Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Sweater: $100 

#17 – Human Made

There’s a degree of charming kitsch to Human Made. They are an offshoot of the giant streetwear brand A Bathing Ape, but founder NIGO uses Human Made to explore his fascination with American workwear.

This brand combines the fun of A Bathing Ape’s outlandish designs with rigid designs and sturdy materials. That means you’ll find tough work-ready clothes adorned with cute hearts, quant graphics, and an air of relaxation. 

These items show what we’re talking about:

• Human Made Print Chino Pants: $330
• Human Made Duck Camo Flannel Shirt: $335

#18 – Blue Blue Japan

We’ll invoice you our next paycheck if you can guess which color is most prominent in Blue Blue Japan’s products. The company gives off a nautical vibe, both relaxed and meditative, due to their use of blue tones and soft textures. 

Their aesthetic is unique among other Japanese fashion brands as it heavily relies upon traditional Japanese garments and updates their free-flowing shapes to suit today’s tastes. 

Dive into Blue Blue Japan’s sea of offerings with these products:

• Blue Blue Japan Big Plaid Flocky Melton Coat: $677
• Blue Blue Japan Indigo Flannel Cleric Shirt: $185

#19 – Kapital

Kapital breaks away from the urban feel of most Japanese clothing companies by integrating naturalistic patterns and materials. They’re a breath of fresh air amongst their competitors. 

While they tap into workwear elements with denim materials, most of their items combine the free-spirited 1960s hippie movement with giddiness and glee. Kapital is alluring without being too pedantic or too serious. 

Check out these items to see how they forge their own identity:

• Kapital BOA FLEECE SHAM BOMBER JKT ECRU: $1,020
• Kapital CHINO X BOA FLEECE NORDIC ANORAK NAVY: $645

#20 – Adeam

This bespoken clothing brand is the brainchild of Hanako Maeda. For the last decade they’ve been crafting some of the most luxurious women’s clothing in all of Japanese fashion. 

They’re the brand for you if you favor gentle garments that flow like a swan taking flight out of the water. Adeam is the only brand we’ve included among our list of the best Japanese clothing brands that focuses mainly on women’s garments. 

Preview some of their premiere productions here:

• Adeam Hazelnut Winter Rose Cardigan: $555
• Adeam Cherry Blossom Heather Hoodie: $645

Which Japanese Clothing Brands are Unisex?

Since the best Japanese clothing brands often challenge gender norms through their exuberant fits and bold color choices, there’s often little that differentiates a male product from a female product.

Footwear brands like Suicoke would look great on anyone while WTAPS’ bulkier fits are in-line with streetwear’s divorce from traditional gendered sensibilities. 

Which Japanese Clothing Brands are Best for Everyday Wear?

Everyday wear can refer to a product’s aesthetics – i.e. ‘“could I lose my job for wearing this in the office?” – or its durability. A piece of clothing is only worthwhile if it doesn’t disintegrate in the washing machine.

That’s why we feel that NEIGHBOURHOOD is among the best Japanese clothing brands for everyday wear as they combine fashionable designs with high durability.

Which Japanese Clothing Brands are the Most Affordable?

As with many artistic endeavors, often the best Japanese clothing brands can wallop your wallet. 

However, there’s no reason to fret if you want to dress nicely without dipping into your child’s college funds. Companies like Uniqlo and Asics produce affordable and attractive pieces.

Final Thoughts

There’s plenty to learn from the Japanese approach to fashion. For many of the best designers, fashion is a vessel for expression. It’s a way for people to promote their personality, to shine a light on their individuality, and to probe deeper into one’s values.

Whether those values are minimalist or outrageous, the best Japanese clothing brands can all adorn you with garments that reflect your inner self.

---

Your fashion-conscious journey doesn’t have to stop here. Check out some of our other top picks:

Best Men’s Boots

Best Leather Jackets For Women

Best Designer Men’s Slides

Subscribe