Buddy Back
40’s Buddy Lee doll
image:suntrap
2 notes
Kōenji / Suntrap & Co.
Not to suggest that Kōenji is in any way a secret find, I was a little surprised that in all my research I’d never come across mention of what turned out to be vintage paradise. A much anticipated Pilgrimage to Suntrap lead me to the area, more on that below, however a quick trip turned into half a day of rummaging. The area has a nice low key feel, quiet, residential, lots of little cafes and bars, plenty of elderly speed demon pavement cyclists, a similar feel to (the more well known) Shimokitazawa but for me, a much higher quality of vintage if you’re of the early to midcentury persuasion.
Aside from Suntrap, Zool (2F), Safari and Extra Vision are all worth a visit. The legendary Village Vanguard, a real mish-mash of novelty nonsense turned out to be a bit of a gem - Fuji Natura point n’ shoots, Lightning specials and Wilderness experience backpacks spotted next to Michael Jackson commemorative plates and Hello Kitty lunchboxes.
However the real draw, for me, was Suntrap. 50’s Hawaiian and bowling shirts, varsity knitwear, denim, sweatshirts, thermals, rayon jerseys, racks of parade boots and drawer upon drawer of letterman patches, Bakelite buttons and old badges alongside accessories from ‘new’ label Corona. The incredibly friendly owner set up shop in 1998 and while Tokyo is swamped with mind-blowing Amerkaji Suntrap remains, with good reason, one of the most popular stores in the city.
Suntrap: Kōenji 4-23-5 ACP building 1F
