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This time, the three members of our adult field trip crew visited SAFARI No. 1, a vintage clothing store in Koenji that mainly deals in American vintage items!
We visited their first store, which stocks a wide variety of items including military wear, denim, and sneakers, in search of "vintage sneakers that would match our outfits today and that we could actually afford!"

Under the guidance of Yusuke Tajima, manager of SAFARI's third store, Shunya Hirayama, a staff member at SAFARI's first store who is well-versed in American vintage items, will explain the key points to consider when choosing vintage sneakers.

What is GUIDE editor-in-chief Tsuchiya's pick for "the first Converse shoes to wear in your 30s"?

GUIDE editor-in-chief Tsuchiya has been wanting a pair of vintage sneakers ever since receiving guidance on their appeal from Sankakke designer Yuhi Ozaki.

"I really came here to buy something today!" he declared enthusiastically.

For someone like Tsuchiya, who loves America and classic styles, Converse sneakers are something that most people have probably worn at least once. However, it turned out that she didn't actually own any Converse sneakers, so everyone headed straight to the shelves where Converse "ALL STAR," "JACK PURSELL," and "ONE STAR" were lined up. We're looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with an "ALL STAR that we can try out."

When staff member Hirayama picked out Tsuchiya a pair of sneakers with a camouflage pattern called "83 Camo," the entire crew was impressed by Hirayama's explanation that "83 Camo" is the first camouflage pattern created by Converse in 1983.

Which "first vintage sneakers" would sneaker enthusiast Fushinuki choose?

Hirayama : "Just like with Converse, I think Vans looks cooler because the vintage models have smaller, more pointed toes compared to the current models."

"They're easy to match with anything and comfortable to wear," says Fushinuki, who often wears Vans' black Anaheim series. His choice was a 90s "AUTHENTIC" with an aged sole and a burgundy upper.

Fushinuki said , "The soles are beautifully aged, giving them a vintage feel, but they're an unusual color, have great cushioning, and look stylish when worn," expressing his satisfaction with the "best of both worlds" combination!

Tashiro defines a "new quirk" with army shoes that look remarkably similar to Converse All Stars!?

The final guest is Tashiro, a "quirky" sneaker enthusiast who owns vintage sneakers. This time, he explores SAFARI's first store for "interesting sneakers that aren't very expensive" and "sneakers that haven't been discovered yet."


While searching for something with a unique character, I came across a pair of basketball shoes from the 1940s-1950s.
He picked up a pair of basketball shoes (brand unknown) that were about 70 years old and immediately exclaimed, "Doesn't the feel of the toe look similar to my hairstyle? (laughs)"


While searching for a variety of unique vintage shoes that you can only find here, such as Nike, Adidas, and Converse python basketball shoes, the one that caught my eye and made me think, "This is interesting!" was a pair of US military training shoes.


Tashiro: "They look just like Converse All Stars!"

Hirayama : "These are 70s army shoes, and various brands produced them back then. There are some made by PF Industries, MINER Industries, and Converse. Each has a different sole construction and laces."

Tashiro said, "These are pure white and look great," as she picked out a pair and went to try them on...

Tashiro praised the shoes, saying, "They have a strange shape when you try them on, but the three-dimensional feel is great, and even though they're white sneakers, they don't look clunky." He added that this size is just right compared to recent leather sneakers.

Tashiro, searching for something with a unique character, finally arrived at white sneakers. He declared that this was truly a "new definition of uniqueness."

►Watch the full video here: "Infiltrating a vintage clothing store in Koenji filled with countless vintage sneakers!"

＊The information in this article is current as of the time of publication. Product information may be revised or changed without notice.


Text: Makoto Kajii

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