How to shop for plus sizes in Japan

For women above a western Medium size, Japan can be a challenging place to find clothing. As we move into colder months, the need to have layers of appropriately fitting, comfortable garments increases, but if you can't afford an out-of-country trip or international shipping an online shopping binge, here are some options to help you get the clothes you want in the sizes you need in Japan.


Second Hand Shops

If you're not afraid of fixing small problems, altering things slightly or even working with men's clothing, second hand shops can be amazing for the larger woman. A lot of other large women sell what they can't use at these places, so sometimes there can be quite a selection. Watch for pilling on knitwear as it's a sign of the age of the garment. Most modern clothing can only handle so many washings before it self-destructs, so check your intended purchases thoroughly before you buy. Even with the threat of pilling, stains, and other small issues, Japan's second-hand options tend to be fairly pristine, almost-new when compared to second-hand shopping in many countries. While this is not always the rule, I do find that second hand purchases here tend to be in good quality and last quite some time.


Outlet Shops

While most name-brand places on the shopping streets of Japan will be unlikely to carry anything close to or above an American size 10, I saw with my own eyes Eddie Bauer slacks on sale at Toki Premium Outlets in size 14. That was back in 2009, but since then I have found other great larger-than-average sizes at the outlet malls in Miyagi as well. Again, if you're not afraid of wearing men's clothing, checking out the large-size section of a major jeans retailer like Edwin can provide some awesome options at decent prices.


Online Shopping (H+M, Uniqlo)

This is the option I most regularly use as I am more sure of the likely results. H+M's Japanese website actually has a plus size section, including sizes up to a European 54. There is a sizing chart available on the website as well so you can compare your measurements and choose accordingly.

To my surprise, I recently found out that Uniqlo's website offers sizes up to 3XL in many of the women's essentials, including heat-tech tops and bottoms. If you need new under-layers above the Japanese XL size which is often the largest available in-store, check it out here. As with H+M, you'll have to fill in your Japanese address or have it delivered to a store near you. They do offer cash-on-delivery, which is beneficial if you do not currently have a credit card.


Catalog Shopping

While catalog shopping may seem like an activity only useful before the dawn of the internet, it is still quite popular in semi-urban Japan. If you look for it, free catalog selections on racks like this are likely available at your nearest AEON. 

If your Japanese is really up to snuff, you can give this route a try. My mother-in-law swears by catalog shopping options and truth be told, this is how I got my winter boots my first year in northern Japan. They do have a handy measuring guide in more of the magazines so you can figure out if anything will fit pretty easily. Ordering is much more confusing and I strongly advise requesting the assistance of native Japanese speaker to hammer out the details.


Those are many of the options I personally have utilized as a larger lady in Japan. Whatever route you choose, go forth with gusto and stay warm this winter.