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Discussing Their Shared Love for Vintage Clothing──Nogizaka46's Minami Umezawa × Sakura Endo Dive Into the World of Vintage
For these two, it's about more than just being “fashionable.”
Minami Umezawa and Sakura Endo of Nogizaka46 are captivated by the allure of vintage clothing. Sparked by a segment on their YouTube channel, 'Nogizaka Streaming Now,' they find that picking up one-of-a-kind T-shirts and jackets and brainstorming outfits is the best way to relax and recharge.
“I think thrifting is all about the encounter.” The excitement of finding a piece you may never see again, and the time spent imagining the stories an item of clothing has lived through, become precious moments of self-discovery. We sat down with them for an in-depth chat about how they approach and enjoy the world of vintage fashion.
PROFILE
Minami Umezawa
Born on January 6, 1999, in Kanagawa Prefecture.
In September 2016, she passed the audition to become a 3rd generation member of Nogizaka46. In February 2023, she was appointed as the 3rd captain of Nogizaka46. She is also an exclusive model for the magazine “CLASSY.” and has expanded her career as a solo performer, appearing in stage plays such as “KINGDOM” (2023) and “Itaewon Class” (2025).
PROFILE
Sakura Endo
Born on October 3, 2001, in Aichi Prefecture.
In November 2018, she was selected from 48,986 applicants in the Sakamichi Joint Audition to become a 4th generation member of Nogizaka46. She has served as the center for the group's 24th single, “Yoake made Tsuyogaranakute mo Ii,” 27th single, “Gomen ne Fingers crossed,” and 37th single, “Hodōkyō.” She is also an exclusive model for the magazine “non-no” and is considered one of the group's most anticipated next-generation aces.
Hooked on Thrifting, Even on Their Days Off: The Duo on the Allure of Vintage Fashion
In special features filmed in Koenji and at VCM for the official YouTube channel 'Nogizaka Streaming Now,' Umezawa and Endo showcased their impeccable taste in styling vintage wear. Their genuine enjoyment of shopping was memorable, but what first sparked their interest in vintage clothing?
“I wasn't an expert on vintage clothes from the start. As a student, I loved going to Shimokitazawa with my friends, browsing the shops, and buying things. At the time, the main draw was the 'affordability'—being able to enjoy fashion without breaking the bank.
But as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate its depth. I'm still sometimes shocked by the price of a single T-shirt, but it's so exciting when you learn about the history and value behind it. Now I find myself popping into vintage shops even on my days off.” (Umezawa)
“I started shopping for vintage clothes after moving to Tokyo. Back when I lived in Nagoya, I didn't know much about fashion. I really got into it after joining Nogizaka46 and started visiting thrift stores. The designs and prints you can only find in vintage pieces are so captivating, and now I make time to browse different shops whenever I can.” (Endo)
The segment on '乃木坂配信中' came about from Umezawa's wish to “tour the vintage shops in Koenji!” She said she invited Endo because she wanted “to go with a member I can be comfortable around.” She adds that her first impression of Koenji was that it was full of “fashionable, effortlessly cool people.”
“The shops we visited for the segment, like 'Fukamidori (vintage clothing store)' and 'oo vintage,' were actually recommended by a stylist I work with, who told me, 'Their selection is top-notch.' A lot of the stores are known to fashion pros, and every place felt so refined.” (Umezawa)
So, beyond official projects, how do they discover their favorite shops?
“I often look them up on social media or check out vintage features in magazines, which are becoming more common lately. I also go to VCM in Shibuya PARCO a lot, and whenever I'm traveling, I'll search for local shops if I have time.” (Umezawa)
“I'm the opposite—I don't really have any go-to spots. Most of the time, I just wander into a shop I stumble upon and buy whatever I intuitively think is cute. So I don't have any stores that I visit on a regular basis (laughs).” (Endo)
Experiencing the VCM Buzz and Deepening Their Love for Vintage. What Are Their Latest Favorite Finds?
This past spring, the duo attended a VCM event for the first time. The sight of them completely absorbed in shopping amidst the buzzing atmosphere was a world away from their idol personas—they were totally in the zone.“Every shop had a totally different vibe, and I was captivated just by chatting with the super knowledgeable staff. It's not just about looking; it's also fun to learn so much from them. The entire venue was buzzing with this 'I'm gonna find a hidden gem!' energy, which was incredibly inspiring. I picked up a pair of silver-rimmed glasses there that have this perfect 'grandpa-chic' vintage look, and I wear them all the time now.” (Umezawa)
“VCM was seriously like a festival! It was way bigger than I expected—so huge you couldn't possibly see everything in one day. There were so many cute pieces that I couldn't decide what to look at. Since I'm a big Disney fan, I gravitated toward character-themed items and also snagged a Nike T-shirt.
I've always been drawn to slightly quirky designs that most people might not pick (laughs). The T-shirt I bought at VCM has a catchy design I love, and I often pair it with jeans.” (Endo)
From their ever-growing collection of vintage pieces picked up on their shopping trips, they each shared one item that holds a special place in their hearts.
“I bought this rider's jacket at VCM in Shibuya. I wanted to style it with light-wash denim for a coordinated set-up look. The fact that it's so worn-in that the zipper doesn't even work anymore actually adds to its charm—it was love at first sight. The neckline design is also unique, so I knew I had to have it, thinking, 'This is a one-of-a-kind find!' It's super soft and comfortable, making it look stylish whether worn as a jacket or on its own.” (Umezawa)
“This is another jacket I purchased last winter at VCM in Shibuya. It has a design and silhouette that you don't see much these days, and since it was unlike anything else in my wardrobe, I was instantly drawn to it. I figured it would look great with body-hugging pants, so it was another case of love at first sight.” (Umezawa)
“Besides the perfect, body-hugging fit, what I especially love is its unique color. It's not jet black but more of a nuanced, inky-gray shade that changes depending on the light. Plus, the texture of the velour material can look like a pattern from different angles. I saw how cute it was and just had to get it.” (Umezawa)
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“I bought these pants from the 'oo vintage' online shop. The shop owner posted a picture of them wearing the pants on Instagram, and I think we're about the same height, so it was really easy to visualize how they'd look on me (laughs). They're pretty low-rise, but the silhouette is adorable when you put them on, so I absolutely love them.” (Umezawa)
Next up, let's hear about Endo's favorite items.
“Actually, this T-shirt is a kid's size! I found it for just a few hundred yen at a thrift store in Tokyo—a total steal. I thought it was cute how the smaller size really defines the shoulder line. Since the top is so fitted, I usually pair it with baggy, men's-style jeans on the bottom.” (Endo)
“I found this vest at a vintage shop in Osu when I was visiting my hometown in Nagoya. I was drawn to the design, which has a subtle Japanese-inspired feel, and I bought it purely on an impulse of 'This is so cute!'
Honestly, though, it's super tricky to style (laughs). At first, I was completely stumped. But then I started experimenting—letting it peek out as a layering piece, wearing it unbuttoned over a hoodie—and discovered it's surprisingly versatile. It's a piece that really pushed me to try out new outfit combinations.” (Endo)
Deep, Fascinating, and Fun! How Vintage Clothing Transformed Their Fashion
The duo's knack for decisive, joyful shopping, even during on-location shoots, is truly impressive. They say that because they understand each other's tastes and styles so well, shopping together is even more fun.“Shopping with Saku (Endo) is so much fun because we have some similar tastes but also some surprisingly different ones. Since we're both tall, we have similar preferences when it comes to length, so we can suggest things to each other like, 'This would look amazing on you!' I know what suits her, which makes shopping trips go really smoothly.” (Umezawa)
“I'm the type who takes forever to make a decision... Even during our YouTube shoot, Umezawa pushed me to go for it, saying, 'It'll definitely look great on you!' and that gave me the confidence to buy it. With vintage, you always have that worry that if you hesitate, someone else will snatch it up, so having her there is a huge help. She's someone I can really count on.” (Endo)
Diving into the world of vintage has sparked a fresh evolution in their fashion sense.
"My closet has suddenly become so much more colorful. At my usual stores, I tend to play it safe with colors and styles, but with vintage, I feel free to pick up more adventurous designs. Just having one unique piece like that opens up so many new styling possibilities. I find myself thinking, 'What if I pair it with this? It could totally change the vibe,' and it makes every day more exciting," says Umezawa.
"My style has gotten way more colorful, too. I went through a phase where I basically only wore black, white, and gray. But ever since I started shopping for vintage, I've felt brave enough to try out unique colors, and my closet is becoming a rainbow. It's so fun just to look at it," says Endo.
Their fashion curiosity knows no bounds, and they have clear ideas about what styles they want to tackle next.
"The vintage denim at VCM was pricey, which was a bit of a shock (laughs), but the vibe it gave off was just incredible. I think rocking a well-worn denim set would look super cute, so I definitely want to give that a try someday," says Umezawa.
"I have a habit of always picking out T-shirts (laughs), so I want to challenge myself with different kinds of items next. Umezawa told me, 'I think wide-leg pants would look great on you,' so my next shopping trip will be all about finding the perfect pair of pants. I can't wait to see what pair I'll discover," says Endo.
For Minami Umezawa and Sakura Endo, vintage isn't just clothing—it's an adventure in self-expression. As they recommend pieces to each other and dive into new styles, their closets continue to fill with vibrant colors. They'll surely continue to make new discoveries in the world of vintage, expanding their unique personal styles for years to come.
Photo by Akinori Kawanishi
Text by Tajimax
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