Okinawa has deep ties with the United States, and as a result, it has many unique cultural characteristics influenced by that relationship.

One example of this is "secondhand clothing."
In particular, there is a large volume of US vintage clothing (used clothing imported from the United States) in circulation, and it is said that the prices are cheaper than in the mainland.
According to vintage clothing store owners, there was a time when many vintage clothing enthusiasts would travel all the way to Okinawa to find these items.

This time, we visited "FISH BOWL," a vintage clothing store in Okinawa that can be enjoyed by both beginners and experts in vintage clothing, and interviewed them about various things.
Now, let's go into the fascinating world of Okinawan vintage clothing!

-table of contents-
1. Cheap! Fun! A vintage clothing store with an American vibe, "FISH BOWL"
2. You might become a fan of the owner, not just the shop! Owner Interview
3. Okinawa Lab Writers Take on the Challenge! Vintage Clothing Coordination
4. Why not immerse yourself in the world of Okinawan vintage clothing?

1. Cheap! Fun! A vintage clothing store with an American vibe, "FISH BOWL"

FISH BOWL opened on Ukishima Street in October 1997 and has since become a popular vintage clothing store attracting many customers from both within and outside the prefecture.

↑This is what the storefront looks like. Sale items are displayed on racks outside the shop.

If you enter the alley next to the Lawson Kokusai-dori Matsuo store and walk along the road, you will arrive in about 3 minutes.
It is located approximately a 10-minute walk from Makishi Station, Miebashi Station, and Kenchomae Station on the Yui Rail line.

Owner Ichiro Ishihara personally sources the items from Chicago, USA, and the store is filled with unique items including men's, women's, and children's vintage clothing, as well as miscellaneous goods and foreign picture books.

Now, let's hear what they have to say.

2. You might become a fan of the owner, not just the shop! Owner Interview

---Nice to meet you. To get straight to the point, could you tell me what inspired you to start a vintage clothing store?

Just kidding! No, I'm lying (lol).
I originally lived in the United States for a long time when I was a student, and that's when I started buying vintage clothing... I guess that's where it all started.
There's a night flea market in Chatan, but it was even more amazing back then, with lots of customers walking around every night.

When I came back to Okinawa for a short visit, I continued selling the things I had collected there.
When I was around 28, I thought about going back to Okinawa, and I figured I'd quickly open a vintage clothing store.
So, we launched FISH BOWL here...that's where it all started.

↑Besides used clothing, they also sell things like can badges. They cost 200 yen each, and there's a wide variety of genres, including corporate, character, and rock-themed badges.

—Why did you get into the world of vintage clothing?

I wonder why... Originally, my major in school was oil painting.
It's about writing and coloring all sorts of things.

I thought it wasn't interesting to see the same item lined up in multiple sizes, so I found secondhand clothes more fun because there's a wider variety. And they're cheaper too.
Ultimately, I think it's better to have a variety of items at a lower price than to pay tens of thousands of yen for just one item.

There are some expensive items among secondhand clothes, you know.
When I'm buying things in America, there are so many different kinds of things to see, it's really fun.

↑They also carry a wide variety of patches, including military, character, and rock-themed designs.

---What exactly is the purchasing process like in Chicago?

Relax and explore what you find interesting in your own way.
I enjoy buying these items and introducing them to customers, saying, "Look what we have here."

Back then, I ran two or even three vintage clothing stores, so I had to collect things at all costs, which is why vintage clothing became less interesting to me.
But now, I believe that if I enjoy the buying process, I can find better things in my own way, so I don't push myself too hard.

That way, you have more mental and physical energy, and you can buy unexpected and interesting things.

I thought that might be interesting for the customers. I wanted to show the customers things like, "Wow, we have things like this too!"

Also, I want to introduce American culture, so in addition to clothes, I also have miscellaneous goods and books, and I'd like to stock an even wider variety of items in the future.
At FISH BOWL, we want to offer fun and affordable things, so I think that's what you'll be looking forward to.

When you have regular customers, you start to get a sense of what items they'll like while you're buying them.
It's fun because I can enjoy things like that while I'm sourcing products.

↑The display case near the cash register is filled with vintage buckles, Fire-King mugs, and other items.

—You really value your customers, don't you?

I enjoy interacting with customers, and each customer has their own unique personality.
Customers who come to vintage clothing stores are usually looking for interesting items or things they can't find in other stores.

I guess that's another reason why I enjoy running a vintage clothing store. It's fun to see the customers enjoying themselves.
FISH BOWL also sells children's clothing, so families come in, and quite a few grandparents come in too. They might be buying things for their grandchildren, or for themselves.
I'm working hard because I want more and more people, from young to old, to come visit.

What makes me happiest is when customers think, "There's so much to see and it looks interesting!"
It's kind of like a treasure chest.
I'd rather have someone buy lots of inexpensive items than one expensive item.

↑The foreign books section. There are many picture books, perfect for children's English education.

---What kind of items does FISH BOWL mainly collect?

Right now, as a shop, we're thinking of stocking items from the 80s and 90s.
I play basketball and I love it, so I'd like to display basketball-related items and other sports-related things.

↑Since the items were sourced in Chicago, the store has many NBA goods, including Michael Jordan merchandise.

Also, lately I've been feeling like the world is kind of gloomy, so I'm thinking of stocking up on some bright and cheerful items.
Patterns and primary colors. My image of the 80s is like the movies "Flashdance" and "Footloose," that kind of vibe.

These aren't the clothes from the movie, but they're items that capture the energy of that time.
I'd like to incorporate more of those kinds of things.

When I go on buying trips, I'll pick up classic items like Levi's 501s, but mostly it's just whatever I feel like at the time.

So, the items I stock will probably change each time.
If I find something interesting at the time, I'll buy and display items that I've never carried before.

This year's vibe, if I had to describe it in terms of imagery, is like a middle-aged woman from Kansai wearing leopard print.

↑The store is filled with patterned items from the 80s.

—Things really do change quite a bit, don't they? I have the impression that many people who run vintage clothing stores are very particular about their style, but do you yourself have any particular preferences, Ichiro?

I don't really worry too much about myself.
For example, you might imagine that a vintage clothing store is full of stylish, expensive vintage items, but that's not the case at all.

The clothes I wear are ones that have holes and stains and can't be sold in stores.
The store sells miscellaneous goods, toys, and rare items, but I don't have a single one of those at home.

But there are some items in the store that we don't want to sell right now; they're not for sale.
Like a stuffed toy of Gizmo from the movie "Gremlins."

↑A large number of Gizmos are suspended in mid-air along with hats.

It's not expensive at all, but I just like it.
I just want to fill it with Gizmos and think, "Wow, there are so many of them!" That's about it, I guess. I'm not going to sell them.

But that might change along the way.
It might end up being something like, "If someone else wants it, I'll give it to them."
So basically, almost everything in the store is for sale.

---So, could you tell us which items you would recommend from that selection?

Patterned pants might be fun. They're basically American pajama pants, but I think something like that would be nice.
If it were summer, I think I could just cut it up and make it into shorts.
Then you can use the cut-off dough again, right?　
I'd like to include more of those kinds of things.

Also, as a recommendation... I'd like to sell more of our original T-shirts.
I hope tourists coming to Okinawa will buy a lot of it.
We currently have two designs, but we're planning to make one or two more this year. Though, that's just a plan for now!

↑FISH BOWL original T-shirt. The pop art Mexican skull design is cute.

↑FISH BOWL original T-shirt. A unique design combining Native American islanders and Indians.

—The original items are cute too.

Just so you know, the skull one has a hibiscus pattern on its hat, although it's small and hard to see.
I don't think they'll notice, but I'd rather use the word "Ryukyu" than "Okinawa."

I used "Ryukyu" instead of "Okinawa" on the Indian-designed T-shirt... I think I'd like to do something similar next time.

―Do you have any vision for what kind of activities you would like to do in Okinawa in the future?

I'd like to hold a flea market event in Okinawa.
However, it's not something I can do alone, so I need to work together with other vintage clothing stores.

Doing it on a small scale wouldn't be interesting, so I think I'd like to make it something of a certain size.
The members who run vintage clothing stores in Okinawa are all interesting because they each have their own unique personalities, and we often get together to go out for drinks.

Some people stop by to buy vintage clothes while traveling in Okinawa, but they're still a small minority.
The number of vintage clothing stores in Okinawa is decreasing. It's not like we have to do something about it, but I want to work with the people who run vintage clothing stores to let more people know that vintage clothing stores in Okinawa are fun. It's difficult, though.

But we also provide costume support for movies and events like fashion shows.
Stylists and other people come here occasionally too.

It might be interesting to connect with things like that. I think it would be great if the fun could be conveyed in some way.

---I would love to introduce those things this time! Finally, could you please give a message to tourists?

When you think of secondhand clothing, you might have the image that it's "inferior to new," but FISH BOWL doesn't operate with a style that involves buying secondhand clothes that are dirty, have holes, or are in poor condition.
They're selling things that aren't bad at all.

I'd be happy if you just came in, and it's perfectly fine if you don't buy anything.
Of course, I'd be happy if you bought something... but if you don't come in, I don't know if you'll like the shop, right?　

It's also great when customers stop by once or twice before making a purchase. So, first and foremost, I want them to come and enjoy looking around!

---thank you very much!

Finally, Ichiro-san struck a pose with great enthusiasm.
During the interview, he spoke passionately about vintage clothing, even cracking jokes, and the time seemed to fly by.
He's a truly unique person, and he patiently answers any questions you may have.
While the items themselves are certainly appealing, I think Ichiro's personality is also a major part of FISH BOWL's charm.

3. Okinawa Lab Writers Take on the Challenge! Vintage Clothing Coordination

Thanks to Ichiro's kindness, I was also able to try my hand at coordinating outfits using vintage clothing.
The model is a female writer who accompanied the author on the interview. The theme is "Vintage Clothing x Sports Mix"!

↑After much trial and error, this is the outfit I finally settled on.
↑Full body view
↑T-shirt and skirt only

OUTER: No-brand jersey (USED) ... 2,100 yen
TOPS: Nike T-shirt (USED) ... 1,100 yen
BOTTOM: No-brand chemical wash skirt (USED) ... 1,000 yen
OTHER: Writer's personal belongings

The total cost of the three items I chose this time is just 4,200 yen! That's incredibly cheap!　
I picked up various products, and they were all of good quality and inexpensive.

Compared to vintage clothing stores on the mainland, some items are priced at 1/2 to 1/3 of the price...
I'm surprised they can even make a profit at such a low price.

Incidentally, the writer who served as the model for the character was visiting a vintage clothing store for the first time.
"I used to think of secondhand clothing stores as being like recycling shops, but they're completely different."
My impression after finishing the interview was, "I never imagined it would be such an interesting place."

This shop is perfect for those who want to get unique items at low prices, or for those who are new to vintage clothing and feel a bit anxious.

4. Why not immerse yourself in the world of Okinawan vintage clothing?

There are still many stories and items that we unfortunately couldn't introduce this time.

↑Vintage items such as vests and sweatshirts are classic vintage clothing items.
↑Hats hanging in mid-air. Many of the items are from the NBA, NFL, MLB, etc.
↑Of course, they also have pants from brands like Levi's and Lee.

When you travel to Okinawa, be sure to visit the vintage clothing store FISH BOWL!　
A friendly owner and wonderful vintage clothing will welcome you. Enjoy Okinawa's unique vintage clothing culture!

FISH BOWL
■ Address: 〒900-0014 Matsuha, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 2-5-27
■ TEL: 098-866-9650
■ Weekdays: 13:30 - 20:00
■ Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 12:00 - 20:00
■ Regular closing days: Irregular
■ URL:http://fishfishfish.ti-da.net/

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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