Trip Report: Tokyo Running Stores :)
Just got back from a trip to Japan and checked out as many running stores as possible - wanted to share some recs and alternately ones to skip.
Fave store we went to. Really good selection of Japanese brands and international brands. Owner was really kind and helpful. A+++ vibes. Mostly men's/unisex. They also had a lot of interesting flavors of gels (e.g. salty tomato, grape juice).
Very cute little basement store. Good selection of men's/unisex, almost nothing women's, lots of Japanese brands. Huge selection of sunglasses and hydration packs. Also seemed to have a lot of hiking stuff.
Bonus! The brand Tannuki apparently holds an indie running brand expo once a year (in May) that the owner at Run Boys! Run Girls! directed us to. Big convention center space with soooo many cool tiny brands I'd never heard of. Highly recommend! Also definitely ask to try on - sizing was all over the place.
Not running specific. Lot of cool street fashion Nike/Adidas gear I haven't seen in the US, and things that seemed to be Japanese editions.
Not worth a visit if you're North America or EU based. Very limited selection of Bandit, almost entire stock seemed to be ON shoes. (?)
IMO also not worth a visit. Good selection of men's clothing, primarily international brands. Almost no women's gear. Felt like the Japanese version of Dick's or REI.
Lots of Japanese editions of things and a good selection of ACG.
AVOID. You had to sign up a on a waitlist to be notified when you could come back. Something like a 4 hour wait? Very unclear on why this was - it just looked like normal ON stuff.
(edited for formatting)