2nd STREET

Quick Facts

Last checked against official information: 2026-11-09.

What it is

2nd STREET (セカンドストリート), operated by GEO Holdings, is a leader in curated secondhand fashion and luxury reuse. Unlike chaotic charity thrift shops in Western countries, 2nd STREET operates like an immaculate high-end boutique: items are inspected, cataloged, and condition-graded before they reach the racks, and brand pieces are checked by trained staff as part of the buying process. Japan's cultural care for possessions means pre-owned items are often in near-mint condition. For international fashion enthusiasts and streetwear collectors, 2nd STREET is a treasure trove where you can score authentic Japanese designer archive pieces, coveted Nike and New Balance deadstock sneakers, and vintage Levi's denim at a fraction of their global market value.

How to shop

1. Choose your store type:
   • Urban Fashion Boutiques (e.g., Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Omotesando): Multi-floor shops tightly curated with luxury designer labels, rare sneakers, and premium streetwear.
   • Super 2nd STREET (Suburban Megastores): Giant warehouse-sized stores packing tens of thousands of items, including outdoor camping gear, musical instruments, and home electronics alongside apparel.
2. Decode the Price Tag Condition Code: Inspect the hanging barcode tag. Japanese thrift items feature standardized condition letter grades:
   • S (Unused / With Tags): Brand new, never worn.
   • A (Mint): Minimal to no noticeable wear.
   • B (Good): Normal slight wear, clean and stain-free (the most common grade).
   • C / D (Fair / Noticeable Wear): Scuffs, minor fading, or minor stains (always clearly highlighted on the handwritten tag notes).
3. Try on in the Fitting Rooms: Bring your items to the fitting room (Shichaku-shitsu). Remove your shoes before stepping onto the platform.
4. Checkout (Standard or Tax-Free):
   • Tax-Free Purchases (¥5,000+ Pre-Tax): Inform the cashier before paying: "Tax-Free kudasai". Present your original foreign passport with entry stamp — or, at stores that support it, your Visit Japan Web tax-free QR code. You pay the full tax-included price; staff register your purchase for tax-free, and the consumption tax is refunded after customs confirmation when you leave Japan—see "Tax-free — refund method" under Payment & practical info.

Services & options

1. Japanese Designer Archive Pieces (Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, Sacai): Iconic Japanese runway pieces priced hundreds of dollars below international consignment boutiques.
2. Rare Sneakers & Deadstock Kicks (Nike, Jordan, New Balance Made in USA/UK): Pristine sneakers wrapped in protective clear shrink-wrap with box conditions noted.
3. Vintage Japanese Denim (Evisu, Sugar Cane, Momotaro, Edwin): Broken-in selvedge raw denim jeans with authentic fades and chain-stitched hems.
4. Pre-Owned Luxury Bags & Wallets (Louis Vuitton, Prada, Celine): Authenticated designer leather accessories safely displayed in locked glass showcases.

Payment & practical info

Prices and details checked: November 2026.

• Payment Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay, Suica/PASMO, PayPay, and cash.
• Hours: Typically 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM daily.
• Tax-free — refund method (checked 2026-11-07): Since 1 November 2026, Japan's tax-free program works as a refund system: at tax-free 2nd STREET stores you pay the tax-included price and staff register your purchase when you show your passport (or your Visit Japan Web tax-free QR code at stores that support it). At departure, complete customs confirmation at the airport or seaport before checking in your baggage, within 90 days of purchase; the consumption tax is then refunded through the method registered at purchase. The minimum is ¥5,000 or more before tax at one store in one day; the old sealed-packaging rule and the ¥500,000 cap no longer apply. 2nd STREET's own tax-free page does not publish a specific refund operator or fee, so confirm the refund method at the counter before you pay. Source: JNTO – Japan's New Tax-Free Shopping System.
• Tax-Free Threshold: Spend ¥5,000 or more before tax at one store in one day. Bring your original passport; stores that support the Visit Japan Web tax-free QR code can register your purchase from the code instead — support varies by store, so confirm at the counter.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• One-of-a-Kind Rule: Every single garment is unique. If you see a piece that fits, buy it immediately—holding items or coming back tomorrow almost always means someone else bought it!
• Japanese Sizing Runs Small: A Japanese domestic size L is roughly equivalent to a US/European size M. Always try garments on before purchasing.
• Selling is Restricted to Residents: Tourists cannot sell items to 2nd STREET; Japanese secondhand trade laws strictly mandate official Japanese resident registration and identity verification.

Sources

• 2nd STREET Japan Official Website (Verified: 2026-11-07)
• 2nd STREET Store Directory & Flagship Locations (Verified: 2026-11-07)
• 2nd STREET Tax-Free & Reuse Buying Guidelines (Verified: 2026-11-07)