Music/Vintage clothing shops in Sapporo?
My girlfriend and I are traveling to Hokkaido in July and are looking for some specific shopping recommendations. We already know about Tanukikoji as well as the area around Odori Park, and we’ll definitely wander – but want to go to some shops that aren’t as obvious to tourists.
Here’s what we’re hoping to find.
- Guitar/instrument/gear shops
I’m a guitarist and from what I’ve heard there’s a lotta cool/weird/unique gear in the local music shops in Japan - guitars, pedals, random knick-knacks I wouldn’t find in America. I’m a big city-pop fan, (especially Takanaka) and would love to find some uniquely gear to bring home.
- Vintage clothing.
Japan notoriously has some of the best vintage clothing shops in the world, and I need a complete wardrobe overhaul. I know there are clothing stores all up and down Tanukikoji but I’d love to know what’s authentic and what’s a tourist trap. I don’t have an aversion to new clothes either, but I’d just be sad to go to Japan and not get in on the quality vintage scene. For what it’s worth my style is pretty androgynous, I wear clothes all up and down the gender spectrum so I’m open to anything.
HUGE bonus points if you know a place where I might find an authentic Yoshio Itoi Fighters jersey we’re going to a game the second day and it would be SUPER cool to have one of those to wear.
Language also shouldn’t be a barrier for us, we don't need places where the staff speaks English. My Japanese isn't perfect but when I travel I learn as much of the language as I can – usually enough to scrape by in shops and restaurants where they don’t speak English. It’s way more fun travelling when you can communicate with the locals + I think it’s rude to expect everyone to speak English.
I’d love to get some advice from locals, people who’ve spent a lot of time there, anyone who has advice that can make our time in Sapporo as sick as possible. I’ve heard that it’s a top-tier city as long as you know what to look for, and I want to know what to look for.
(sidenote: my dad does kintsugi and I’d love to bring him back some kintsugi gear if there are any craft shops – don’t need anything super special, just not American.)