Find What You Need at the New Balance Harajuku Flagship

Just a few days into a trip to Japan, many sightseers realize that exploring cities like Tokyo and Osaka requires a lot more walking than expected, and the shoes they brought along just aren’t going to cut it. When that time comes, New Balance Harajuku is the place to go.

Why New Balance? The brand was founded in 1906 as the “New Balance Arch Support Company” in the US city of Boston, and New Balance has always specialized in helping people feel comfortable and supported in their shoes. The name “New Balance” comes from that original search for a new kind of balance, when the brand was focused on developing technology to help athletes find the steady stability they needed. New Balance went from manufacturing arch supports to custom-made running shoes, and things really took off when their “Trackster” running shoe became the first running shoe offered to the general public in the 1960s. Ever since, New Balance has continued to develop products with new innovations and consistent craftsmanship, and these days their offerings range from race-ready running shoes to comfortable shoes perfect for walking around Japan, along with a wide variety of apparel.

With over a century of shoe-making expertise, New Balance has become a global brand, and their Harajuku flagship store in Tokyo is a must-see when shopping in Tokyo. Located in the heart of one of Tokyo’s most trendy shopping areas, just across the street from the end of Harajuku’s popular Takeshita-dori shopping street, New Balance Harajuku is not just a convenient place to pick up a new pair of shoes to perk up your travel-tired feet. The four-story building has all of the brand’s newest products and trendiest styles, along with high-tech facilities to help you find the perfect fit. There’s no better time to take advantage of the weak yen and tax-free shopping opportunities – this is the place to build up your wardrobe of functional workout wear, stylish pieces to throw on anytime, and of course some of the most comfortable shoes you’ll ever wear.

The first thing you’ll notice when walking into the New Balance Harajuku flagship is the shop’s enormous size and impressive assortment of shoes and apparel. Things are always changing at the flagship as new products arrive, but the first floor is generally where you’ll find the latest trends and newest products. The upper floors house a full selection of women’s wear, a kids’ section, men’s shoes and apparel, and areas dedicated to “Made in USA” and “Made in UK” products. There’s even a special fitting station! This shop might be dedicated to just one brand, but there’s a lot to see – let’s take a look at some of New Balance Harajuku’s most popular products, along with recommendations from both the Japankuru team and the New Balance experts working at the shop.

New Balance Harajuku (ニューバランス 原宿)
4-32-16 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
^{*Closed September 2 (Tue) ~ 5 (Thur), 2024 for renovations.}
Directions: 4 min from Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) Station, 6 min from Harajuku Station
Official Website (jp)

Harajuku Shoe Shopping: The Perfect Shoes for a Tokyo Trip

For Long Days Walking Tokyo’s City Streets

After a few days of walking anywhere and everywhere in Tokyo, it can feel like your feet might never go back to how they were on day one of your adventures in Japan. Fortunately, New Balance makes shoes that can help. The sneaker selection at New Balance’s Harajuku flagship is impressive, with shoes in a variety of fits and shapes for different purposes, so if you just want to feel comfortable when walking, it feels like the world is your oyster. To look and feel your best while exploring Tokyo, look first for New Balance’s collection of lifestyle shoes, which maintain a balance between comfort and casual style.

Some of this year’s biggest hits are throwback styles, like the BB550 and the 90/60. The BB550 was originally released in the ’80s as a basketball shoe for the pros, with a silhouette like a flat-soled postman oxford, and this unisex style has all the chill retro vibes you’d want from a vintage shoe. The grey model of the 90/60 in the photo is a modern redesign combining two different New Balance models: the 990 of the ’90s, and the 860 of the early 2000s. Together, they become one sophisticated style – a favorite recommendation from the New Balance Harajuku Staff.

For a Bursting Suitcase

Looking for something a little smaller? Reaching back to their roots, New Balance still sells a broad selection of insoles, which go a long way in making your shoes fit and feel better. If you have New Balance fans back home waiting for a fun Japanese souvenir, and you’re not sure another whole pair of shoes will fit in your suitcase, then you might want to bring back a few pairs of New Balance’s sneaker-patterned socks instead. The cute designs look just like classic New Balance sneaker models!

Try a 3D Scan Shoe Fitting in Japan

Your choice of footwear is a fun way to show off your style, but if your top priority is fit, then a New Balance store in Japan is the place to go. New Balance offers a unique shoe-fitting service that utilizes cutting-edge technology by imaging your feet with a special machine that takes 3D scans, available at New Balance locations around Japan. Once you’ve taken a look around the shop to see what you might be interested in, the next step is finding the perfect fit.

The process is simple: step up onto the platform, and in just about a minute the machine will analyze both of your feet with a 3D scan, coming from every direction. Measurements are of course taken for the length and width of your foot, but also for the arch and the instep, recreating the exact shape of each of your feet to produce a perfect digital model for the shoe experts on the New Balance staff to reference. Using this scanned image, staff can recommend the perfect shoes and insoles to fit your feet just right. If you’ve ever worried that you’re buying the wrong shoe size, or shoes just never seem to fit quite right, New Balance’s unique 3D scan technology can help you find the perfect pair – don’t miss the opportunity while you’re in Tokyo!

Shop Styles That Show Off Your Shoes: MET24

Urban Style Made for Shoe Lovers

It goes without saying that New Balance clothing goes well with their shoes, and there are racks of running gear and shelves packed with breezy golf wear, but in Japan, New Balance also offers a line of everyday fashion. The Japanese original MET24 line is designed for living 24/7 in the big city (the name is an abbreviation of “metropolitan 24 hours”), and the concept is “apparel that makes New Balance shoes look beautiful.” If you want to show off your shoes and make them look their best, you might want to pick up a MET24 outfit while you’re in Tokyo.

Fashion With an Eye for Footwear

When New Balance Japan started to ramp up their apparel offerings in the late 2010s, they were looking to offer not only activewear, but also something a little more tailored. In the years since, MET24 has developed and expanded the collection, including product lines like their popular no-fade denim series.

The latest additions to the MET24 line are designed to work in a variety of settings, with a sleek style that matches New Balance shoes, but a subtle aesthetic that works in professional workplaces too. We asked the staff to pull some outfits for us that epitomized New Balance’s vision for the coming season, and we could see the clean, casual look they were going for: for women a simple pullover with a skirt or their Tuck Wide Pants, topped with a hooded vest or short coat for cooler days. For men, the same pullover paired with classic Slim Tapered Fit pants – hemmed cleanly above the ankle, of course – with either the matching Single Jacket (seen at the top of the page) or a practical hooded coat.

Materials Made for City Life, or for Sightseeing

MET24 styles look a little more put-together than the workout wear on nearby racks, but New Balance still puts all their textile expertise into making them functional, and comfortable too. The pants look like khaki trousers, but the sturdy fabric has plenty of stretch to keep you from feeling constricted throughout the day. The coats are made of water-resistant material to keep you dry even through sudden showers. Even the denim is made from a special blend of polyester and polyurethane, which won’t bleed or fade. All of these qualities are great for everyday wear, but they’re especially nice when you’re traveling, when you want to be comfortable while still looking good for pictures. Shop the collection on the first and second floors of New Balance Harajuku, and you might just find your new favorite travel outfit for your adventures in Tokyo.

Take Tokyo by Storm, Starting with New Balance Harajuku

Tokyo’s New Balance Harajuku flagship store has multiple stories of shoes, clothes, and accessories, so whether you’re a sneakerhead looking for the newest models, an athlete looking to up your game, or just an everyday shopper taking a peek inside, you’re bound to find something to look at. With the selection of comfortable shoes great for days on your feet and a whole collection of apparel with an eye for both fashion and function, we think shoppers and sightseers traveling in Tokyo won’t want to miss out. Located conveniently in the heart of Harajuku, this shop is surrounded by one of Tokyo’s prime shopping areas, so don’t forget to make New Balance Harajuku a part of your next Tokyo shopping trip!

▶︎ Even outside of Tokyo, you can also check out your favorite New Balance products and try out services like the 3D scan fitting at New Balance official stores all over Japan. (New Balance Hulic Sapporo, Kashiwa Takashimaya Station Mall, Harajuku, Ginza, Roppongi 19:06, Odaiba, NEWoMan Shinjuku, Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C., Ikebukuro P’Parco, Kichijoji, NEWoMan Yokohama, Terrace Mall Shonan, Nagoya, Takashimaya Gate Tower Mall, Grand Front Osaka, Hankyu Umeda, Kyoto Takashimaya S.C., Daimaru Kobe, Hiroshima Parco, Fukuoka, Lalaport Fukuoka, Hakata Hankyu – from north to south.) Find the latest New Balance official store updates here.

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