From the Back Streets of Harajuku
Neighborhood was founded in 1994 by Shinsuke Takizawa, a former DJ and stylist who spent eight years at the Japanese hip-hop label Major Force. The name says it all. Takizawa and his friends spent their days hanging out in Harajuku, and that circle was their neighbourhood. Together with neighbours like BAPE, Undercover and WTAPS, they turned the narrow back streets of Ura-Harajuku into the birthplace of Japanese streetwear.
Takizawa's real obsession is the American motorcycle scene. He collects vintage Harley-Davidson and Indian bikes, and he loves them for the same reason he loves old workwear: they were made by people who truly cared. Add a teenage love for London punk, and you get the NBHD look. Skulls, crossbones, bandana prints and rough denim, finished with Japanese precision.
Savage Denim and Other Signature Pieces
Neighborhood has worked with Japanese selvedge denim for more than 25 years, and its jeans remain the heart of the brand. Our Community hunts for:
- Savage denim: jeans and jackets distressed by hand, with heavy fading, repair patches and stitching that make every pair unique.
- Neighborhood jackets: denim Type 1 and Stockman jackets, bombers, varsity jackets and drizzlers inspired by biker and military gear.
- Graphic tees and hoodies: bold NBHD logos, skulls and slogans, often printed on heavyweight cotton.
- Shirts: bandana print shirts, camp collar shirts and classic work shirts with a vintage feel.
- Pants: relaxed cargo and tuck pants that pair perfectly with boots.
Neighborhood Collaborations
The brand works with partners who share its love for subculture. Adidas came first in 2005, with Takizawa's own take on the Superstar, and the partnership has returned many times since with track tops, field jackets and terrace sneakers. A Supreme collab followed at the end of 2006, with denim and jackets that helped put NBHD on the map outside Japan. Carhartt WIP joined in 2014, a natural match for a brand built on workwear. More recent highlights include the Cactus Jack for Neighborhood capsule with Travis Scott in 2021, several drops with Anti Social Social Club and a long series with Vans. If you love Japanese labels with a strong story, explore our Human Made and Wacko Maria collections too.
Curated and Checked at 2nd Culture
At 2nd Culture, we are always hunting for clothing with a story worth passing on. Neighborhood pieces are made in small runs and are often copied, so every item goes through our authenticity check and is graded with our condition check. This is what we look at:
- Labels and tags: clean Neighborhood labels, "Made in Japan" on most pieces and a product code that starts with the season.
- Distressing: on Savage denim, the repairs and fading look hand finished and natural, never printed on.
- Graphics: sharp prints and dense embroidery with clear lines, even on small details.
- Hardware: solid buttons, rivets and zippers that feel heavy and match the garment.
How to Style Neighborhood
A pair of washed Savage jeans is the place to start. Wear them with a black NBHD tee, a heavy leather belt and worn engineer boots, and you carry a little piece of 1950s biker culture without looking like a costume. Throw a Neighborhood Type 1 denim jacket over a grey hoodie for an easy double denim look that feels rough and relaxed at once. Want something lighter? A bandana print shirt, left open over a white tank top, works with wide cargo pants and simple black sneakers. Find more layers in our jackets, jeans and shirts collections.
Neighborhood Sizing Guide
Neighborhood uses Japanese sizing from S to XL, and it often runs a size smaller than European brands. Always check the measurements on each product page.
- Savage denim: a relaxed waist with a tapered leg. Size up if you sit between two sizes.
- Jackets: cut fairly short and boxy, made for layering. Take your normal size or one up.
- Tees and hoodies: a comfortable, slightly oversized fit. Usually true to size.
Not sure what fits? Our team is happy to help, in store or online.
