The Land of the Rising Sun may be known as one of the world’s biggest luxury markets, but there’s also a growing market for luxury vintage goods. Operating in this retail segment is RINKAN, a store chain specialising in the purchase and sale of vintage trophy items. Following six retail spaces in Tokyo and outposts in Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka, RINKAN has shifted its focus back to the Japanese capital to open an additional store in Ginza, arguably the city’s leading luxury shopping grounds, anticipating an increased interest in these goods and also the many travel restrictions of late. The store occupies an approx. 89 sqm. (958 sq.ft.) unit on the first floor of a narrow modern structure built in 1977 alongside bustling Chuo dori and situated a stone’s throw away from Mitsukoshi department store. The interior design, created by Tokyo-based practice Kenta Nagai Studio, makes use of the building’s concrete shell, revealing swathes of raw concrete and exposed utilitarian pipes and steel beams as a backdrop overlaid my modern interventions.

The front room sees a permanent installation with a robust stone bench anchored in a Zen-like pebble garden and flanked on one side by sleek aluminium shelving laden with shoes. The ceiling has been gutted, revealing a mosaic of meandering utility pipes. An all-white corridor, flanked on both sides by recessed clothing display spaces, leads to a backroom filled with three rows on chunky jewellery cabinets, flanked by aluminium shelving on one side, and opposite, an additional cabinet and clothing rack. Another yet smaller corridor leads to a consultation room which can be closed off with a sliding door. The new RINKAN store targets a demographic of people in their 30s and 40s, and stocks about 1,000 items from about 20 luxury brands, including apparel. sneakers and jewellery pieces. The latter category is elaborate, making the offerings the most extensive of all RINKAN stores nationwide. Brands that can be found here include Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chrome Hearts, Celine and Balenciaga.

Designed by

Kenta Nagai Studio

Images © Kenta Nagai Studio