Gotemba Outlet North Face Guide: What to Buy and How Much to Save
If you've been eyeing a North Face backpack, jacket, or parka, Gotemba Premium Outlet might be your best shot at getting one without the full retail price tag.
The North Face store sits in EAST ZONE (block 3040a), right behind the Food Bazaar food court — easy to find once you know where to look. I've been through this store a few times, and what stands out is how much variety they carry: everyday backpacks, proper mountain parkas, technical fleeces, and occasionally limited collabs that you'd struggle to find at regular retail. All at outlet prices.
So how much cheaper is it? Is outlet North Face the same quality as regular North Face? And what's actually worth buying? That's what this guide covers.
▲ The North Face store at EAST ZONE 3040a — easy to spot once you're near the Food Bazaar
目次(Table of Contents)
The North Face at Gotemba Outlet: Store Basics
- Located right behind Food Bazaar (the food court) in EAST ZONE — easy to find
- Backpacks, down jackets, fleece, mountain parkas, footwear, and accessories
- Collab items (Junya Watanabe MAN, etc.) show up occasionally — worth checking
- Staff speak some English and can help with sizing and product recommendations
※ Discounts vary by item and season. Sale periods can push prices even lower.
Where to Find the Store
The North Face is in EAST ZONE, block 3040a. Head toward the Food Bazaar food court and you'll find the store right behind it. It's one of those spots that's easy to walk past if you're not paying attention, but once you know the landmark, you won't miss it.
| Brand | The North Face (ザ・ノース・フェイス) |
| Zone / Block | EAST ZONE 3040a |
| Phone | 0550-81-3116 |
| Category | Fashion & Sportswear |
| Official pages | Gotemba Outlet store page ／ The North Face Japan |
📍 Check current hours and store details on the official site
What Can You Buy — and What's Actually Worth It?
This isn't a stripped-down outlet with just leftover sizes. The Gotemba store carries a solid range — and in my experience, it's one of the better-stocked North Face locations in the area.
Best Items to Look For
Backpacks (リュック) are the standout category here. The Borealis and Shuttle series consistently have strong stock, and you can often find them 30–40% off retail. If you're looking for a reliable daypack to take home from Japan, this is a strong pick.
Down jackets and fleece — the Thermoball and Denali jackets show up regularly, especially in off-season windows. Visit in spring and you'll often find last season's models deeply discounted. The Compact Jacket is another solid find: ultra-light, packable, and practical for travel.
Mountain parkas are worth a look if you do any hiking or camping. Full waterproof-rated gear at outlet prices is genuinely hard to find elsewhere.
Keep an eye out for collab pieces too. Junya Watanabe MAN x North Face items have been spotted here at around half price — that's the kind of lucky find that makes a trip to Gotemba feel worthwhile.
How Much Can You Save? Outlet vs. Retail Explained
Typical Discounts and What to Expect
Most items at Gotemba Outlet run 30–50% below regular retail price. Basic-color backpacks and core outerwear tend to see the biggest markdowns. Limited-edition or collab pieces are rarer, but when they appear, the discounts can be dramatic.
On top of that, the outlet runs major sale events twice a year — summer and winter — where additional discounts stack on top of the already-reduced outlet prices. Check the Gotemba Outlet Sale Guide for current dates and what to expect.
A common question: are outlet items the same as what you'd find at a regular North Face store? Mostly yes — Gotemba stocks genuine North Face products, primarily past-season merchandise and overstock from regular retail. The quality is exactly the same.
Some outlets carry "made-for-outlet" items (simpler construction, fewer features), but at Gotemba the selection skews toward authentic carry-over stock. Check the product tag if you're unsure — it'll list the original season.
Visitor Reviews: What People Are Saying
I've been to the North Face store in Gotemba three times now. The backpack selection is genuinely impressive — I picked up a Borealis for about 40% less than what I'd pay at home. The quality is exactly the same as regular retail, just last season's colorways.
Came specifically for a Compact Jacket and walked out thrilled. The discount was around 35% off. Super lightweight, packs into itself — perfect for traveling. Staff were friendly and one of them spoke decent English, which helped.
We weren't planning on buying anything here but ended up getting matching fleece jackets. The Denali Jacket was ¥9,000 cheaper than Seoul retail. We literally ran back after lunch to grab a second color. Don't miss this store.
Found a Junya Watanabe collab piece that I'd missed in Tokyo. About half price here. I genuinely could not believe it was still in stock. The store is worth a slow browse — collab items get buried among the regulars, so take your time.
The store itself is great, but we visited during Golden Week and the fitting rooms had a 20-minute wait. We ended up skipping a few items we wanted to try because the line was too long. Peak holiday periods are rough.
💡 Tip: Beat the fitting room line
If you're visiting during a Japanese public holiday (Golden Week, Obon, New Year's), arrive right when the outlet opens at 10 AM. Fitting rooms are nearly empty in the first hour. By noon it gets crowded fast.
The backpack I wanted was sold out in my size (L). The S and M sizes were well-stocked but L and XL were basically gone by midday. Popular sizes disappear fast — this isn't a complaint exactly, just go early if you have a specific item in mind.
💡 Tip: Size availability
Medium and large sizes sell out first. If you're a size L or XL, aim for opening time (10 AM). The selection is fullest before 11 AM, especially on weekends. Weekday mornings are the sweet spot.
Gotemba in winter is something else — you can feel the cold from Mt. Fuji in the air, which makes trying on down jackets weirdly satisfying. The Thermoball Jacket was around ¥12,000 here vs ¥20,000 in Singapore. Easy purchase.
📍 View the official site for the latest sale dates and store hours
Shopping Tips: How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
Three Things That Make a Difference
Time your visit strategically
New stock lands most often at the start of spring (March–April) and fall (September–October). These are the best windows for full-size runs and fresh colorways. The two big sale events — summer and winter — push prices even lower, but popular sizes go fast.
Get there right when it opens
The outlet opens at 10 AM. The first hour is when size runs are fullest, fitting rooms are empty, and the store is calm enough to actually browse. After noon on weekends it gets genuinely crowded. If you're driving, check the parking guide to avoid the traffic backup.
Download the official app before you go
Gotemba Premium Outlets has an official app with store-specific coupons and early-access sale notifications. Download it before your trip — some discount coupons are app-only and can stack on top of existing outlet pricing.
Summary: Is the North Face at Gotemba Worth It?
Short answer: yes, if outdoor gear is on your list for this trip.
- Store is in EAST ZONE 3040a — head to Food Bazaar and look behind it
- Backpacks, down jackets, fleece & mountain parkas at 30–50% off retail
- Sale events in summer and winter stack even more discounts
- Collab items (Junya Watanabe MAN etc.) appear occasionally — worth a slow browse
- Products are genuine carry-over stock — same quality as regular retail
- Arrive before 11 AM for the best size selection and shorter fitting room waits
※ Prices and stock vary by season. Confirm hours on the official site before visiting.
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