Ichikawa & Funabashi Explored: Shopping out of Tokyo

Japan is by far one of the most stylish countries in the world. The fashion you see here is replicated, often months or even years later, in Europe and North America. Tokyo’s Harajuku, Shibuya and Ginza districts are fashion capitals in their own right and designers and stylists such as Louis Vuitton’s Kim Jones and Patricia Fields (stylist for Sex and the City) often make trips to Tokyo for inspiration and design ideas.

Ichikawa and Funabashi, being satellite cities, don’t have the same sartorial choices you see in the capital but there are many places to buy affordable and stylish apparel. Ichikawa’s Colton Plaza deals more in family fashion and has a small roster of outlets such as cheaper chain stores like ABC Mart (sports shoes) and fast fashion king Uniqlo. Funabashi, however, has a much more impressive array of stores from high street chains to designer names.

Funabashi’s Seibu department store (next to JR Funabashi) includes menswear brands such as Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Burberry and domestic labels such as Takeo Kikuchi. The womenswear is equally as impressive with well respected names such as Issey Miyake, Margaret Howell and more affordable local brands such as Human Woman. Towards the Tokyo Bay area of Funabashi, however, you’ll come across LaLaport which is one of Japan’s most famous and biggest shopping malls. In addition to restaurants and a Toho Cinema (which we’ll cover in a separate post) there is an amazing selection of shopping on offer including areas devoted to childrenswear, sportswear and contemporary fashion.

The list is endless but LaLaport includes Agnes B, Coach, Furla, Armani Exchange, Tommy Hilfiger, Stussy, Camper, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Mango, Banana Republic, Gap and the newly opened American Eagle Outfitters. The real gems, though, are the Japanese stores such as United Arrows, Beauty & Youth United Arrows, Fredy & Gloster, Nano Universe and my personal favorite Good Deal General Factory which has a compact yet very on-trend selection of menswear and womenswear. This select store, which is a Tribeca apartment transported (floors and all) to Japan, includes stock from John Bull, Trickers, Ralph Lauren and outdoor brands such as Duluth Pack and Danner. Props to the buyers for having such excellent and refined taste!

The best thing to do, however, is to get your credit cards ready and spend a day walking around LaLaport. It’s a shopping paradise like no other and when you need a bit of respite there are a few Starbucks and numerous other cafes and restaurants to give you some well-deserved sustenance.