TokyoMike Visits Kicks Lab
OK, back once again…….TSG……TokyoMike…….sneaker shopping in Harajuku, part I of ???……without further stupidity, GET OFF YOUR A$$ PEOPLE, AND LET’S GO….
So, let me explain a few things. First off, I am totally awesome. Next, I chose this spot kind of on the fly, but on purpose as far as this particular shops sneaker content….I knew they had good stuff, but not on the level of K-Skit or L.A. Avenue…..I can’t possibly top the K-Skit or L.A. article each time out, and I don’t want to show all the insane shops right away, and then show lame stuff like ABC Mart, which is like the Japanese equivalent of shoe shopping at WalMart……nobody will read the my column……so, I chose a good spot that’d make any sneakerhead happy…….trust me, there’s more of the super-Japanese-sneaker-spots to come in the near future, but for today, I went with a spot that’s kinda like a really kick a$$ Japanese Footlocker geared toward serious sneakerheads.
Also, the day I took these pics was a holiday over here, which I DID NOT know about until I got on the train and instantly wanted to text my mother “Mom, I Love you-this wasn’t your fault”…and then commit suicide…….everything, ESPECIALLY the damn train, was PACKED!!!….. and when the train’s packed with 26,000 people who all have breath that smells like a McNasty’s combo meal consisting of that weird pink water they soak pigs feet in, dog crap filled cigarettes, bacon bits soaked in spoiled prune juice, & fart flavored candy, I can’t deal with a really long train trip…..not with that many people breathing hard, all in my face & junk….COULD YOU DO IT?!..I did NOT think so!…..so, as far as spending 3 hours on the train to hit up Ameyoko, or Ueno, like I wanted to, I had to abort that mission and settle for only going as far as Harajuku…..my stomach just couldn’t take that much G-Funk……I apologize for my sickening weakness……
Now, as some of you fools may know, especially if you’re into the whole “streetwear” thing, Harajuku is THE spot to find just about anything sneaker/streetwear related in Japan, and has been that way since as early as the 1950′s….I won’t get into the entire Harajuku history, but this place has been the epicenter of cool crap for a looooong time.
Bape, Ice Cream, Stussy, Supreme, Recon, Chapter, Raw Drip, Neighborhood, DOARAT, they’re all pretty much on the same damn street……with Phenomenon, UNDFTD, Ill Store, APC, etc. right around the corners in all directions……..and as far as sneaker spots, you’ve got Chapter, Atmos, two more INSANE spots that I won’t un-earth just yet, and a newer spot that I decided was worthy of some exposure, and that spot is called Kicks Lab.
Kicks Lab
I truthfully don’t have a damn clue as to when Kicks Lab opened up……I may have been in a crack-rock-induced haze-of-happiness at the time, or just missed it because I’m a lame and don’t actually live in Tokyo anymore (I stay south of Tokyo, or as us honest folks say, “in the Japanese Boonies where the losers live.”) Anyhow, I was here a few weeks back, and looking up into Supreme’s window fantasizing about putting one of their cocky staff members in a DEEP Triangle Choke and blasting him with elbows in the face until he passed out from the utterly mind-numbing agony, and I snapped out of my wonderful dream and noticed this place…….walked inside……and was pretty impressed to say the least.
Kicks Lab has a really nice layout……really spacious and open with a ton of natural lighting, and the way they have the kicks displayed along the glass walls really lets you see all the details of each sneaker.
The staff was real cool with me taking pictures, and they must’ve been Klingons or something, because they were playing some weird, crappy music when I got there, and once I said “what’s up” to the guys, the one dude went in the back, and all of a sudden they put on some “Smif N Wessun”……they gotta be mind-reading cyborgs from another space/time dimension with the power to read our pathetic under-developed humans personal likes/dislikes as far as music, because “Smif N Wessun” was my SH*T back in the day!!!……That alone made me wanna buy something!!!!……..damn those cool Cyborgs & their cool a$$ mind control techniques!!!!
As far as brands, this place is pretty heavy as far as newer Jordans, Dunks of the SB and non-SB variety, lots of Blazers, straight up B-Ball Nikes, and as far as non-Nikes, they carry a few other brands……some Reeboks, some Vans, and some oddball brands too.
I HAD TO snap up the pics of the SPX kicks……I know someone’s gonna go crazy as far as crushing them, so there you go….have at em lol!!!!……..anyhow, no need to write a damn book about each pair of kicks in this place….you can see what they have from the pics……..now, here’s a few points I do wanna kind of run my candy/beer filled mouth about…….
When I walked in, I immediately looked to my right and saw what has to be the most talked about Jordan Pack in a while, the DMP2. They had em displayed on the wall really nicely, but what kind of threw me off was the whole availability thing as far as the US and over here in Japan.
These things released in the US, and Eastbay, Footlocker, etc. almost instantly sold out…….you were pretty much stuck going to some other sites and paying close to $400 for em which sucked monkey nuts, and even then, the sizes were limited in alot of cases, which again, slurped animal testes….and it kinda puts out the impression that they didn’t exactly make a ton of em….
That’s NOT the case over here……this place had a WALL of DMP2 boxes; in the front of the store, in the back, on the staircase, and a wall of em behind the register too…..homeboy was working the register sneezed, and a DMP2 box flew outta his nose….I was like WTF Son?!?!?!……so many DMP2′s in fact that they were selling them as singles and they had em available in every size. I guess comparing Kicks Lab to Footlocker wasn’t such a great idea……my bad……
My honest thoughts on this whole DMP2 super sized surplus at Kicks Lab?….as you know to be a cold hard FACT, ALL Japanese people are Ninjas (we’re speaking of more than one Ninja, so I think the proper word is “Ninji”—-pronounced Ninj-eye…..) So, I “think” the “guys” that work at Kicks Lab got their cool ass Ninja suits on and hijacked a DMP2 shipment, most likely in broad daylight and of course, completely undetected by Jordan Brands highly trained Secret Security Officers, and then simply took their Ninja suits off and went to work like nothing happened. This just reinforces the fact that Ninja’s do exist, and they exist only for the benefit of Sneakerheads worldwide, which you gotta admit, is totally frickin’ awesome…….
Apart from the Ninja-Jacked DMP2′s, another standout thing about this store was their display case in the back of the store……..everything in it was for sale……..and with that being said, unless you’re the Sultan of Brunei, or Donald Trump, the chances of a regular guy/girl like you or I just casually strolling into this place and buying ANYTHING in that case, are slim to none (unless you too are a ninja, in which case I want to be your super best friend forever.) Lazered Jordan IV’s, Thunder & Lightening IV’s, Mr Cartoon AF1′s, ?uestloves, which in Japan go for an INSANE amount of cash for some reason, What The Dunks, man look, that case had so much heat, I actually didn’t want to look at it for too long……I started to feel really poor just for looking at it and realizing I don’t, and most likely never will, own anything in that damn case. STUPID CASE!! I HATE YOU!!!
With that being said, I’d love a pair of What The Dunks, so anyone who owns a size 10.5/11/11.5, feels sorry for me, and wants to give em to me free of charge knowing how happy they’ll make me, please contact me ASAP……..c’mon, it’s for a good cause, and giving to those in need is a very noble act of kindness……God will smile upon you for your act of selflessness…..
So, there’s pretty much never a chance of me hitting up a spot to get my TSG pics, and walking out empty handed…….or should I say “naked footed”…….so I’ll end this with my personal pick up story. Again, I can only liken this place to a Sneakerheads Footlocker, so there’s a chance of me getting another pair of 1994 Jordan IV’s for $29.00 like I got at K-Skit, being this isn’t a co-signment shop……so if anyone’s thinking I got some free Tiffs get outta here, stop doing drugs, cuz it didn’t happen.
I was always on the fence with the “Thrashin” Hi Top SB’s……I liked em, then I hated em, then I forgot about em because they sold out and I didn’t look at em every other day. Well, this place had em displayed all nice on the wall……the mind-melding Cyborg-altered music was playing in the background, and I kinda thought “for the right price, I’ll grab a pair and un-DS em right now…..” Well, they had a full size run, and they only cost a bit over $100 (I got a discount….reg price, about $160.00….yup, I’m a friggin’ pimp…..) So that was the pick-up of the day…….brand spankin’ new Thrashin SB’s, on the cheap-cheap, which did in fact get worn in the pouring rain for the trip home….a proper un-DS’ing if I do say so myself.
Again, I cannot/will not hit up all the super Japanese spots right off the bat, and then in a few months be stuck showing you lovely TSG’ers what footwear is available at Japanese grocery stores……..I just won’t do it…….but trust me, the super sneaker spot stories are in the works again…….as well as a “walk-thru” video of Harajuku, Shibuya, and a few other spots that you all DESERVE to see……so hang in there!!
As usual, Thanks to G-Roc for letting me run my filthy blowhole, and a HUGE thanks to all the loyal TSG’ers for taking the time out of their busy workday to use company work time to illegally surf the internet and read my stupid column……thank you all for blowing off your boss’ understandable requests to only use the computers for “work”…….SMH, who needs work when you’ve got TSG?!?!?!
Sincerely, TokyoMike
Category: News
^ oops size 8 & 12…willing to slipt also…
Man, Japan has all tha dope sneaker shops! Tokyo Mike, kno of any dope sneaker shops in North Carolina? Or anybody for that matter? I kno, long shot. That wall of heat was amazing! Tokyo Mike, you are one blessed dude to be able to see all these shops.
great article tokyo mike knows how to do it right. can’t wait to see the other places that you plan on popping off
This looks like the best sneaker store ever….
TM you live the life! Even a “Japanese Sneakerhead Footlocker” is better than most of the spots stateside. LMAO@the Smif & Wessun. I see those Grammy dunks and some crazy orangs and black Air Raids that I dont think I have ever seen.
O yea and its crazy to see those SPXs but like the BKs I dont think they can ever make a successful comeback
MelloYelloMD .. I’m looking to let go of my grammy dunks.. size 10.5, hit me at TheTakeover25@hotmail.com
By the look of things japan is where its at sneaker heaven
yo that store has sum fire! and just to give u the low down theres a site called ioffer.com selling hundreds and thousands of fake kicks like yeezys louis v jaspers even supra vaiders and tk’s! u really needa check it out and put it up for say noto fakes and the sad part is some of em look legit!!!! i almost got fooled on sum dunks!
TokyoMike is a str8 NUT, LOL! I wuz grinin/smilin while readin @ the sametime. That Klingon/Cyborg thing had my azz rollin! Kicks Lab looks more accomodatin to folks whose shoppin w/family members or an entourage. Whereas K-Skit on the other hand wuz more of a “Hurry-UP&BUY” type of shop. I’d prolly cop a pr of SPX for my oldest kid….Have her rock em on the 1st day of middle school so she could impress all of her lil BFF’s….I would def cop another Raging Bulls/Toro Bravo/DMP 2 pack if my unemployment check would come any sooner. Yeah this shop must be fairly new cuz they ain’t vaccuum seal any of their kicks (yet). Need those Concord XIs, Levi I’s, Bred I’s, Infra, AM 90s, & WTDs. I slept on the Thrashin SBs my damn self & kinda wished I didn’t, but oh well….Good lookin out TM….Holla @ me if you’re ever in the Pacific so we can guzzle down a case of Bud Light & watch live “Pit Bull Porn,” in my backyard.
You never fail to make me laugh with your posts TM. Great work once again…keep it up!
cool stuff homie…keep it comin…
hey tokyo mike do you have a blog?
also good review on the store, look like i will be making a trip this year to japan lolz
haha good article. had me laughing. I was just down at the Cincy Sneaker Showcase and everyone and their mother had that toro bravo pack. the black 3m’s are alrite but those red ones. im not a fan of. that pack was an easy pass for me. cant buy just cuz the hype ya know.
Man TokyoMike you hit it right on the money about the job shizz. Im at work right now. Thanks again and I am looking forward to your next adventure. LMAO
TokyoMike is a d@mn fool…which is a good thing! Good job once again…I may need you to help a brother out sometime soon on pickin’ up some fresh wont-ever-see-in-the-US NB stuff…actually scratch the soon part cuz now I’m stuck having to replace two cars…anyway. Yep.
Nice article TM…I can’t wait to see some of these other spots you’re talking about…I need to take a trip……
….sorry still drooling
Dude… I would read your grocery list!
Great article!!! This makes me wanna travel to Japan even more now!!! When i’m on my way there i’ll hit you up and you can give me the grand tour. Hell, I might even buy you a pair of kicks just for that! Looking froward to your next post.
Why does everybody think the “raging bull” sold out???…I have em on deck right now at the shop…damn near full size run…If you ask me that shit was a flop…Nice job Mike
^^mclovin…I don’t have a blog, but I may start one…..if I do, it’d be a bit more crazy than these write-ups because there’s some odd/nasty stuff over here I’d HAVE to put in it lol.
^^DSMITH….I’m a BIG NB Fan…..I think NB’s been crushing Nike as far as recent colabos (Frats, Bamboo Rakes, Full Metallic Jacket Pack etc…) so if you need something, just let me know and I’ll make it happen.
^^CenValCali…it’s actually the other way around; at K-Skit, you can take a nap in the aisle, and they won’t say anything at all….the guys at Kicks Lab are cool, but you kinda get the “buy your sh*t and get the f*** out” feeling after about 15 minutes…..if I’m ever around your way I’ll hit you up and we can drink a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon, then wrap some pool balls in tube socks and go out busting windshields in your neighborhood lol…
They got all the sick kicks overseas. I need to take my next vacation soon and that looks like the right spot for it.
Thanks for the pics and the story! Amazing store! I’m drooling now…..
TM….& u know this mayne. Japan is def the place to be eventhough I ain’t never been there. I’m intrigued by the sneaker culture & their way of life in general like instead of a handshake/dap, they prefer a bow & instead of a spoon/fork they prefer chopsticks etc. Gotta make a trip to Tokyo/Harajuku somehow/someway so I could peep out the scene live & direct….Maybe on a cruise & hopefully not get jacked by Somali pirates LOL….I’d be like “take everythin, but get near em boxes of shoes &….Its curtains!” We’ll bring my ol lady’s BFF eventhough she’s Chinese & speaks Cantonese, but I’m sure we can get around (I think)….
BTW….Muthasuckas just park their motorcycles/golf carts on the side walk? & Which holiday wuz it? I kinda look like that fat dude except I don’t rock Kangol buckets or hi-water/flood ready jeans….Keep us TSGers posted.
JUST LANDED IN JAPAN.. GOING TO SMASH EVERY SNEAKER STORE POSSIBLE!!!!!
YO TOKYO MIKE…. HOLLA AT ME…
Tokyo Mike are you on Twitter?? I’ll be out that way soon and wanna get a map of spots out there.
damn… i forget about them grammy dunks was suppose to cop off the bay for 250… maybe i can make a trip to japan in the next couple years
you should check out chapter, right in harajuku almost the same as kickslab.
Hey DJ Clark Kent…I’m hating right now! Can anyone please tell me what’s the flights looking like for there. Someone told me from Jersey to Japan was like $1000…please tell me thats a lie?!?!?!?!
DAMM i would have went bankruped in that spot… nothing but HEAT there. wow… i need all of that in my life… well i have most of it but i wouldn’t mind doubleing up and dead stocking um
random question do these 5′s look legit – ebay – 110398437758
good read..
man!
you made me laugh!
Also, the day I took these pics was a holiday over here, which I DID NOT know about until I got on the train and instantly wanted to text my mother “Mom, I Love you-this wasn’t your fault”…and then commit suicide…….everything, ESPECIALLY the damn train, was PACKED!!!….. and when the train’s packed with 26,000 people who all have breath that smells like a McNasty’s combo meal consisting of that weird pink water they soak pigs feet in, dog crap filled cigarettes, bacon bits soaked in spoiled prune juice, & fart flavored candy, I can’t deal with a really long train trip
awesome Tokyomike
btw the shop looks cool:o!
I always wanted to go to Japan and this proved me right now imma really look into everything prolly next year after i recover fromt he bills and the holiday shoe season
yo TM, me and my homie are heading out to Tokyo on the 17th – 24th. im staying right by Ueno. im trying to find some of these spots. you got maps to ANY of these places? i dont speak/read a lick of Japanese.
^^VALObranded I can and will meet you out there and personally walk your broke asses to the spots….and this in NOT A HOLLOW OFFER…I WILL GET YOU TO THESE SPOTS!!!……Mita Sneakers is IN Ueno, and you’re a short train ride from K-Skit, PX, and LA Avenue, which are the Holy Trinity of sneaker stores. Email me @ saikopsycho@ezweb.ne.jp so we can talk a bit more in detail about it all……
K-Skit is CASH ONLY so keep that in mind!!! You need buckets of Yen when you shop over here…..credit cards ain’t gonna cut it in alot of places……
damn mike, you and clark kent are gonna clean out japan of all it’s heat. good luck.
TokyoMike you should start your own blog it seems sneaker heads love to hear what you have to say & the experiences you have encountered while on your daily sneaker hunt. Thats funny to hear DJ CK hitting you up for the sneaker spots in JPN! lol But I am also one a big fan of your articles & pieces you put together. Man..my dream has always been to visit Tokyo, Japan but the airplane tickets are soooo expensive! I couldn’t afford to buy a Big Mac when I get there! keep up the great work..bump my site