Sustainable Fashion Brands in Japan That Use Natural Materials
Look Good & Help Save The Planet Too!
It’s time to ditch fast fashion with these sustainable fashion brands in Japan.
Today, more people are opting for slow fashion over fast fashion. Slow or sustainable fashion brands in Japan and the rest of the world do things differently. Their clothing might seem more expensive than that of fast fashion brands, but let’s take a closer look at the real cost.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Into Fast Fashion
© Photo by iStock: AnnaspokaFast fashion might appear cheap, but why? The companies may cut corners when sourcing raw materials, pay their workers poorly, or pollute the natural environment.
Just one look at the massive landfill at Korle Lagoon, Ghana, confirms that the dumping of fast-fashion clothes is environmentally hazardous. Not only that, but fast-fashion can sometimes be deadly. The Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh in 2013 is just one example of the humanitarian cost of the fashion industry.
Why Choose Slow Fashion?
© Photo by iStock: BongkarnThanyakijUnlike fast fashion, sustainable fashion brands do not emphasize mass production and cutting costs to maximize profits. Instead, they focus on:
- Using natural materials for fabrics, buttons, dyes and thread
- Using organic materials that are pesticide-free
- Making durable and versatile clothes that can be repaired or redyed
- Producing biodegradable clothing
- Having a lower impact on the physical environment
- Protecting animal welfare
- Protecting and paying workers fair wages
- Encouraging fair trade and the development of local communities, especially in the Global South
- Providing a transparent supply and distribution chain
10 Sustainable Fashion Brands in Japan
So, let’s overhaul those shopping habits and consider these options instead.
1. Takes
© Photo by TakesThis sustainable fashion brand in Japan specializes in biodegradable T-shirts. Their shirts are made from 100% organic bamboo fabric and organic cotton thread—the result: a soft, breathable and antibacterial tee. The bamboo is grown domestically, and very little plastic is used in the supply and distribution chain.
- Price: T-shirts from ¥9,900
- Where to buy: Shinzone online store
2. Ashuhari
Ashuhari makes simple yet feminine designs. Think clean-cut dresses, T-shirts and shirts in cotton and linen. Their clothing is handmade and dyed in small batches to preserve the natural feel of the fabric. The company also makes biodegradable buttons from tagwa nut.
- Price: 100% cotton T-shirt from ¥6,050
- Where to buy: Ashuhari online store
3. KasuRekids
© Photo by KasuRekidsParents, rejoice! This Japanese sustainable fashion brand makes pieces that are hardy and grow with your kid! Everything is handmade in Japan from 100% sustainably-sourced cotton and clothing scraps, reducing that carbon footprint. Pieces are dyed with natural indigo dye. The company also preserves the art of kurume kasuri, a traditional Japanese textile. You can also rent their clothes, further reducing waste.
- Price: 100% cotton pants from ¥17,000
- Where to buy: KasuRekids online store
4. Enter The E
© Photo by Enter The EThis Japanese slow fashion brand curator takes all the guesswork out of buying sustainably sourced clothing. Their curated brands from around the world must adhere to their strict “sustainable standards.” Their original Ten brand produces T-shirts from recycled cotton and promotes ethical production standards in Bangladesh.
- Price: 10 recycled cotton T-shirt from ¥3,900
- Where to buy: Enter the E online store
5. Lovst Tokyo
Lovst Tokyo uses plant-derived leather to produce handbags, belts and more. Their “apple leather” is made using upcycled apple waste from Aomori apple farms. Unlike animal leather manufacturing, vegan leather production results in significantly lower CO2 emissions. The company also offers a repair service. Their packaging is also environmentally friendly with seed paper and no plastic waste.
- Price: Apple Watch band from ¥2,000
- Where to buy: Lovst Tokyo Showroom (Reservations recommended): &calm 305, 7-1-5 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link), as well as their official online store
6. Liv:ra
© Photo by Liv:raLiv:ra makes lingerie from organic cotton and silk. Pieces are hand-dyed with plant-based dyes, using the Kyoto shin manyo technique. Because the skin is considered the largest organ, this company uses safe, natural dyes that will not disrupt the body’s internal systems. The brand also offers a redye kit so you can spruce up that lingerie anytime.
- Price: Organic cotton panties from ¥4,290
- Where to buy: Liv:ra online store, along with various shop locations around Japan
7. Kapok Knot
This brand uses kapok fiber, which comes from the kapok nut. Nut production uses little water or pesticides. Kapok Knot makes light and warm jackets, coats, blankets and more. Unlike traditional down jackets, which use bird feathers, kapok production does not harm any animals.
- Price: Crew neck sweater from ¥18,800
- Where to buy: Kapok Knot online store, along with various shop locations around Japan
8. Tennen
© Photo by TennenTennen offers simple, timeless and 100% biodegradable designs made in Japan. Even the clothing labels include cotton seeds that can be planted. They use natural fibers like organic cotton (including recycled cotton), merino wool, washi paper and hemp. The company also offers transparency throughout the supply and distribution chain.
- Cost: Hemp/cotton blend socks from ¥2,200
- Where to buy: Fjallraven by 3 Nity stores around Japan, as well as their online store
9. Shokay Japan
This ethical fashion brand in Japan produces warm clothing from Tibetan yak wool. The wool is bought from local yak farmers for a fair price and handspun and handknitted by community members. The company claims that yak wool is softer and warmer than wool and more breathable than cashmere.
- Price: 100% yak wool gloves from ¥8,800
- Where to buy: Shokay’s online store; Some products are available in the following stores: Three Aoyama, Plain People Aoyama, Love&Sense Hankyu Umeda Main Store and Nadell Kyoto Main Store.
10. Underson Underson
© Photo by Underson UndersonThis slow fashion brand in Japan uses washi fabric to make breathable T-shirts, underwear and socks. The fabric is made from wood chip pulp waste. Their patented washi fabric ticks all the boxes: it is antibacterial and deodorizing, offers UV protection, is lightweight, quick-drying and smooth to the touch.
- Price: Washi socks from ¥2,420
- Where to buy: Underson Underson online store, along with various shop locations around Japan
Bookmark this the next time you go shopping and save the environment for the long haul.
If these brands are too big for your budget, you can also do your part by buying secondhand clothing. Every little action counts!
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