Sustainable Luxury Shopping in Japan: Why Pre-Owned?
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Luxury, fashion, and sustainability don’t seem to go hand in hand, especially in the world of fast fashion.
With constant new trends, fashion accessories come and go without a second thought.
Which is why the secondhand market, especially in Japan, is essential for sustainable luxury shopping. Plus, you get to find rare pieces from top luxury brands for an affordable price and in excellent condition.
What is sustainable luxury shopping?
Sustainable luxury shopping is when you prefer to shop for preowned luxury items or items that are made to last, to use them as long as possible.
Rather than buying new ones, shoppers will buy an existing preloved item.
Why is pre-owned luxury sustainable?
Rather than buying a new item that could potentially be thrown away, buying pre-owned luxury extends its usage.
While there is transportation and packaging involved, ultimately preowned luxury is the most sustainable and the most affordable.
- Extending a luxury goods’ life: Why throw something away when someone else can enjoy the same item? Luxury items will retain value for years, especially for classic designs.
- Give luxury a second life: Shoppers can choose an existing piece that is already in circulation. Some older and discontinued styles have become highly sought-after since they are no longer in production.
- Move away from disposable fashion: Constantly replacing items when trends change is unsustainable and overconsumption.
Always buy thoughtfully so you can make the product last.
Why is pre-owned luxury shopping so good in Japan?
Why does preowned luxury shopping in Japan have a high reputation? Let’s find out.
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High churn rate: With fast fashion trends, Japanese people constantly rotate and resell their items. Meaning, there are constantly new preloved items coming into the Japanese secondhand market.
- Meticulous care: Japanese people take care of items better than other countries. There are always exceptions, but that makes pre-owned luxury shopping almost like you’re buying new ones!
- Strict counterfeit laws: Japan has very strict laws against the sale and manufacturing of counterfeit brand-name items.
- Clean presentation: If you’re luxury shopping in Japan, you’ll see countless of shops with spotless displays, organized layouts, and detailed description tags.
- Find vintage & discontinued styles: You can find discontinued Louis Vuitton bags or vintage Chanel designs as they constantly circulate from collectors to shoppers.
You don’t need to buy the newest collection when you can own something special at a more affordable price.
What to look for when sustainable luxury shopping in Japan
Luxury sustainable shopping in Japan will vary from shop to shop. But here are some things to be on the lookout for:
- Condition ranking: Many stores use a grading scale (S, A, AB, B) to describe an item’s condition. But each store scales an item’s condition differently. So always check the product’s tag and photos.
- Authenticity documentation: Look out for brands’ authenticity cards or serial numbers. For extra security, you can also request an Entrupy certificate as an additional authentication verification.
- Signs of wear: Look at the corners, handles, zippers, interior lining, and metal hardware.
- Return policies: Understand if there are any exchange or refund policies before buying.
- Tax-free options: If you’re shopping in Japan as a tourist, you can get tax-free shopping.
- Import taxes on luxury items: depending on your home country and the total amount of your luxury item, you may have to pay import taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Where to buy second-hand luxury goods in Japan?
You can find and buy second-hand luxury goods in Japan in stores with Daikokuya or BookOff, Japanese eBay, or Yahoo! Japan Auctions
What is the famous second-hand shop in Japan?
Japan offers many luxury shopping districts in Ginza, Tokyo and Shinsaibashi , Osaka. There are individual stores in Japan including BookOff, HardOff, 2nd Street, KOMEHYO, and Daikokuya.
Is it cheaper to buy a luxury bag in Japan?
While it may seem cheaper to buy a luxury bag in Japan with the weak yen, many retail luxury brand stores will even out their pricing to match their counterparts abroad.
In closing
Luxury and sustainability are not totally opposites. When buying a preowned luxury item, you’ll give it another life.
When you shop in Japan, you can put 100% of your trust in their counterfeit system for an authentic luxury item!
Looking for your next designer piece? Explore WeeklyLuxDrop's curated selection of authentic pre-owned luxury bags and discover a timeless piece that deserves a second life.