I am looking for a place where I can buy cheap basics for my three year old daughter, including jeans, tshirts, underwear, socks etc. Just ordinary everyday playwear, not the overpriced stuff in the department stores. Is there such a place, apart from Gap, in the Shibuya area? Or is it unreasonable to use the words cheap and Tokyo in the same sentence?
Someone did mention the
"Life" store somewhere in Shibuya, but I have been unable to trace it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
kavitha

Hi, Kavitha:

Akachanhonpo is a chain store for babies/kids. It is like an "outlet". They have EVERYTHING. There is one in Nishi Gotanda.

Some of the "specially" priced items are 400 yen for shirts or 500 yen for sweatpants. If you go, bring cash, because I don't think they take credit cards.

Their website is www.akachan.co.jp.

Kavitha,

I second what Rika said about Akachan Honpo. I have a 2 yr old, and a 4 yr old, and I get most of their clothing and other supplies there. You need to know that it is located on the 5th floor of the TOC building which is very close to the Gotando station. Also, on the ground level of the TOC building is a store called Uni Qlo which carried some inexpensive clothing. They have a large selection for adults, and a medium selection for kids.

Good luck!

Heather

RE: AKACHANHONPO
Indeed a very reasonably-priced and more-or-less complete store for infants & toddlers.

Some more points to be aware of:
1. You have to be a member to shop at the store. Don't be discouraged. Signing up for membership can be done on the spot. I don't remember how much membership fee costs but i'd say it was pretty minimal because I don't remember! (vicinity of 500 yen max)

2. They don't accept credit cards. But if you have a bank ATM card, you can pay using direct-debit. They swipe your bank card (just like a credit card) and input the amount to be paid...then, after you agree with the amount, you key in your PIN number to allow the store to take that amount of money directly from your account. Simple.

3. There is usually ample parking in TOC bldg but try to park on the 5th floor where there is a connection from the parking bldg to the "shopping" bldg. (no more stairs.) From other floors, I think you have to go through some staircases...not very convenient if you have a stroller with you or if you bought some big items. (Like when I bought a child seat!)

4. The member card points...I think that everytime you buy something...you receive "points" (the amount you have accumulated is shown on your last receipt.) I am not sure what it entitles you to but I think you get to do some more free shopping after a certain amount is reached. CAVEAT: Not sure about this.

Happy shopping.

Just wanted to add my two yen worth. I have 2 boys (5&6 yrs old) and I loved Akachan Honpo when they were little. But now that my boys are bigger, I find that the selection is not as good. The shoe sizes generally stop at 21cm and the clothes are mostly up to 120-130cm. What I miss most is the color selection and simple designs. I don't really like tops with bad English or silly designs/characters that makes the tops look cheap. Recently I bought on-line from Scooter Wally Yokohama which carries clothes from Australia. They are cheaper than the Gap and their clothes come in great colors (esp for girls)and the material (for boys' clothes) is strong. That's important as my younger son usually wears his older brother's clothes. The summer clothes are now half price and delivery is cheap.

This for all the bargain hunters out there in Japan.

Scooter Wally "Bloopers" page is now open. There are some great items with the usual super quality except for some tiny...sometimes fixable...bloop.

There's just a very few so please don't hesitate if you see something you'd like.

To find these super bargains go to www.scooterwally.com and scan down to the "Bargain Basement" section. When you see the little elevator at the bottom you've arrived ! Just click through and browse as usual.

Place orders via email to scooterwally@yahoo.com and of course, all sales are final so check the close-up carefully to see where the bloop is on the garment.

Lea Watson

I was walking around Aoyama this afternoon when I started noticing that EVERYONE was carrying blue bags with Narumiya across the front. Turns out that Narumiya is having a 50-80% off sale on their clothes. I went for a quick peek and it was quite a madhouse. You go in and get a MASSIVE clear bag and then people just go crazy rummaging through the bins. I didn't find anything as it was mostly girl's clothes, but there were lots of people that were staggering out of there under the weight of their bags.

A warning though: Narumiya is not a store of kids' basics. It carries Mezzo Piano, Angel Blue, Daisy Lovers -- those quintessentially kawaii Japanese brands. To get an idea, check out the web site at: http://www.narumiya-net.co.jp/
Even with the sale, most shirts and tops were still 4,000 yen and up. But if you're into dressing kiddo in the latest fashion then you should head over. I think tomorrow is the last day, until 5 or 6pm.

Karen

By Karen on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 08:13 pm:
I should add directions: Come out of Omotesando exit A3 and take a left at the major intersection that is right in front of you (you'll be turning off of Omotesando-dori). Walk up for a few minutes and it's on your left-hand side.
tel: 03-3404-3315

I import Baby & Childrens clothes and sell from home. I have great gift items for newborns, as well as warm wool sweaters, great summer dresses, pants, towels, etc.
(Everything is brand new)
Call me at 090-9810-7959 and I can show you!!
Or email: campos@yacht.ocn.ne.jp and I can send you some photos.

For clothes? Kids/Baby clothes? I am new to Tokyo and I know about The Gap. I just placed a huge order in the U.S. at The Children's Place but not quite the same as going out and buying something and bringing it home.
Thanks!

Hi Chris, A lot of locals as well as expats and foreign tourists seems to prefer Uniclo. They're located all over Japan, as well as UK and China, and the best thing about them is that the prices are much much more reasonable than Gap in Japan. Here is their URL for referance. http://www.uniqlo.com/L1/main.html

If you have trouble finding a shop near you, the site also has a shop search engine in Japanese. State your wark (ku) and ask again so that someone can assist you.

note from Admin: Not all Uniqlo shops have a children's section. For example, the one in Sunshine City Ikebukuro does have one. The one closer to Ikebukuro station does not.

Hi Yuko-San, Uniqlo looks great, I would also like to go and check it out. Do you know if they are in Shibuya, and if so where? Thanks! Melissa

Hi Melissa-san,
Following is the list of all the 5 shops in Shibuya-ku: http://www.mapion.co.jp/c/f

From the top, the location is
1. Harajuku (Jingumae 6 chome)
2. Shibuya (Spain-zaka)
3. Sasazuka
4. Shinjuku New South Exit
5. Shibuya (Dogen-zaka)

You can click each branch name for map, phone, hours and access. If you still have trouble, post again so that I can read the map for you. Hope this helps.

http://www.solad.co.jp

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Looking for kids clothing?
I just opened my own online store for imported children's clothing.
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I stock famous brands such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger as well as value brands and ex-department store items (mainly Sears and Macys).

Any feedback welcome.
Paula Sugawara

DD wears jeans from my sister's older DD. DD is same age as my sister's younger DD, but my DD & her older DD have the same body type. I put her initials on the clothing tags & give them back when DD outgrows them.

I shop consignment sales & clearance racks. I pay no more than $5/item, except dresses for $10. Shoes can be more, but DD is really hard on shoes. I haven't gone through what I bought ahead for the fall/winter yet. I'm waiting to see if DD's growth spurt will end. She has gotten taller & bigger around this summer from watching tv & eating all day with grandparents & great-aunt!

We should be good to go; my sister has already said she should have some jeans for DD. I bought lots of long sleeved shirts, a few pant & shirt sets, & a few dresses last spring for this fall/winter in the next size up.

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You can try flea stores but there also it not sure that you get good clothes. When my son was small I borrowed clothes from my cousin.

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