Tokyo nurtures different fashion trends. The true Tokyoite is sensitive not only for their clothes, but also for accessories. They have developed many local brands and created masterpieces with their own characteristics. Let’s see the top Japanese purse brands for getting your new fashion items!
Top Japanese Purse Brands: Aniary
Aniary focuses on simple, light-weight handbags in various colors. It has a number of product lines, each of which is categorized by the styles of leather used (wave leather, grind leather, antique leather and double emboss leather). If you love cool tones, you should go for the grind leather series. Or if you want to try something fresh and vivid, the antique leather series will be your all-time favorite! The Aniary brand draws from an attractive palette of shades, from basic blacks, browns, and greys to mustard, dark green, beige, and even bright red.
Aniary Location Information
Website (Japanese and English)
Nearest Station: 5-min walk from Omotesando Station Exit B2
Hours of Operation: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE
Issey Miyake is famous for his creative designs and innovative exhibitions. BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE was one of the accessories from Pleats Please Issey Miyake, a popular sub-brand. BAO BAO Japanese handbags are distinctive for their triangle-cut craftsmanship, allowing the handbag to take on many shapes. Parts of these handbags reflect sunlight, giving them the appearance of having different colors from different points of view.
Website ||| Facebook (unofficial, Japanese only)
Locations: Multiple locations across Tokyo and at Narita airport. Check their site for details and maps.
Genten
Genten is a world-famous Japanese purse brand, with boutiques in places as far off as China, Italy, and France. The company aims at three special goals in creating their products: care for the environment, treasure the limited resources on earth, and creating durable products. There is a wide range of products with simple designs which works for both men and women. Most of the purses are in single color, but some may have printing and leather collages. Every product in Genten is unadorned, allowing the quality of the craftsmanship to stand out. The refined flowers cut work series of purses are especially gorgeous. Ladies love the hollow-carved design.
Genten Location Information
Website (Japanese stores) ||| Facebook (Japanese only) ||| Online Store
Locations: 3 locations in Tokyo, 1 in Yokohama
Herz
If you are looking for custom leather handbags, HERZ is your place! All of Herz’s handbags are made at their on-site by their craftsmen. They also have a broad range of other leather products, and is the perfect place to pick up a gift for the man or woman in your life. Check out our article for more details!
Indenya (印傳屋)
Indenya has a long history for their own Koushu Inden handicrafts. Its first store opened during the Edo period, and their leather products like the Kinchaku-fukuro (a traditional purse that is made of cotton cloth) have been popular ever since. Indenya has applied their specialized knowledge to create modern flower-patterned purses, but with a wide range of styles suitable for both work and formal events!
Indenya Location Information
Website (Japanese Flash site) ||| Facebook (Japanese only) ||| Instagram
Nearest Station: 5-min walk from Aoyama-ichome Station Exit 5/Gaien-mae Station Exit 1B
Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
M+
M+ is a young brand that started in 2001. Their designs have a brilliant quality, and they insist on only using natural leather. M+ has a basic tote leather bag in three sizes, and has other remarkable series such as “Armatura” and “Gagliardo.” “Armatura” is designed based on armor. You will find the layering design very modish, and it provides extra storage space! Handbags of the “Gagliardo” series are for women only. They have a brass piping on the top of the bags as detailing, which adds a metallic effect to a leather bag. These Japanese purses close automatically when you lift it up, making it convenient and easy to use.
M+ Location Information
Website (Japanese and English) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (Japanese) ||| Online Store (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 2-min walk from Kuramae Station Exit A0/A2 (Asakusa Line)/ Kuramae Station Exit A6 (Oedo Line)
Hours of Operation: Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Maekawa Inden (浅草前川印傳)
Inden is a Japanese traditional handicraft, which uses paints to create different patterns and images on deer leathers. For inden, there must be some Wafu-u (和風; Japanese style) patterns that you will always see. For example, Sakura is the national flower representing Japan. Seigaiha (青海波; sea waves) means that sea waves bring happiness to life. Dragonfly patterns are often seen in arms and armor of samurai.
The collage-checkered Japanese purse is the signature product of Maekawa Inden. Each checker shows distinct Wafu-u and geometric patterns, in designs you cannot find elsewhere. The colorful designs are a wonderful match for your lively and bright look! Or if you want to look mature, the dark blue and white design is the must-have item. Apart from the collage-checkered purses, Maekawa Inden has the cutest Hello Kitty handbags, which are also popular among visitors! The pink Kitty and Sakura patterns stand out on black leather, integrating a modern art character with traditional handicrafts.
Each of these purses is a handmade work of art. The patterns and colors will be slightly different from each other, making your purse truly unique.
Maekawa Inden Location Information (Two Locations in Asakusa)
Website (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 5-min walk from Asakusa Station Exit 1
Hours of Operation: Open Daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Maekawa Inden
Maekawa Inden in Nakamise Shopping Street
REN
The REN brand was established in 2005, and focuses on simple designs without any unnecessary decorations. The Japanese purse series “Goat Mesh” purses are made by knitting goat leather to a mesh outlook. This takes a long time, as every step is handled by craftsmen without the use of sewing machines. REN presents you with three types of leather purses, as well as canvas, jute, and supple nylon purses.
REN Location Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese only) ||| Online Store (via Google Translate)
Locations: Three locations in Tokyo; see their Access page (via Google Translate) for location information.
Hours of Operation: Varies by store
Samantha Thavasa
Samantha Thavasa brand is THE iconic Japanese purse. These bags (and other Samantha accessories) are popular with celebrities from all over the world. Check out our first and second articles on two locations where you can find these fantastic handbags!
Tsuchiya Kaban Seizou-sho (土屋鞄製造所)
Tsuchiya Kaban Seizou-sho, established in 1965, guarantees excellent quality of products. They create tough handbags and think of customers “like a friend or family member,” as the owner keeps using their purses. There are three main categories in Tsuchiya Kaban: men, women, and unisex. For men, the “Vehicle” series consists oftough and stylish shoulder and tote bags. Show your manliness with these bags! For women, the “Chiffon” series has three sizes to choose from. All the handbags in “Chiffon” are light-weight even they are made of leather. This series suits girls who always need lots of stuff in their bags but do not want the bags become too heavy. For unisex, Tsuchiya Kaban offers waterproof leather handbags in the “Plota” series! You do not have to worry about rain destroying your beloved bags! Also handbags in “Diario” series are all in eye-catching red-brown color.
Tsuchiya Kaban Seizou-sho Location Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese only) ||| Instagram ||| Online Store (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 13-min walk from Hiro-o Station Exit 1/2
Hours of Operation: Open Wednesday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
That’s all for this guide to the Japanese purse. Remember that the better you look, the more you will see!
