By David, long-term Tokyo resident & food-loving traveler

Visit these shops in the Asakusa, Kuramae, Okachimachi, and Yanaka area. They are all worth finding. Visiting them in the order below will take you on a tour of some of the most popular areas in eastern Tokyo, away from the big department stores. There are plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants in these districts where you can rest along the way - and start writing.

Kurodaya Honten

When you stand in front of Kaminarimon Gate looking towards the temple, take a look at the shop on the right side. It has been in business for over 150 years. Kurodaya always has a fun display of crafts and figurines in the window. Inside, they have post cards, stationery, prints, calendars, and a great selection of handmade Japanese paper. Ask the staff for help with the paper, they offer different sizes for most colors and designs.

Address: 1-2-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Open 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays

Wakana

This small shop is located in the Kannondori arcade, one minute from Kaminarimon Gate. Kannondori begins at the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station Exit 1. Walk into the arcade and you will see Wakana on the left side. The shop sign shows a cat in a kimono sitting on a floor cushion. This is the place to visit if you want to write a nice postcard or a letter. The shop has a nice selection of stationery, origami paper, and case full of small figurines crafted out of paper.

Address: 1-2-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Open 11:00 - 18:30

kakimori

Next to Asakusa is the Kuramae district, known for its many small boutiques and workshops. Visit the two kakimori shops here. At kakimori Kuramae Tokyo near Torikoe Shrine you can create your own notebook, selecting the covers, binding, and paper. There is also a very nice selection of pencils, pens, and fountain pens. If you want to make your handwritten letters or calligraphy extra special, also go to inkstand by kakimori near the Toei Asakusa Line Kuramae Station. Here you can blend your own shade of custom color ink. (And if you want to sit down somewhere nice to try out your new pens and paper, go to the Dandelion Chocolate Factory & Cafe Kuramae or Coffee Wrights Kuramae hidden away in the small street behind inkstand).

kakimori Kuramae Tokyo

Address: 1-6-2 Misuji, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Open 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays, open on public holidays

inkstand by kakimori

Address: 4-20-12 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Open 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Mondays, open on public holidays

plus Orange

This shop has fun paper goods and notebooks. Colors and styles look like a modern version of traditional designs. Check out their regular notebooks as well as their selection of goshuinchou. These notebooks are used to collect the official stamps of temples and shrines when you visit them. Staff at the temple will note your visit in beautiful calligraphy writing. The plus Orange store is located at the end of 2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN near Okachimachi Station and Ueno’s Ameyoko Market.

Address: 5-9-17 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Open 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Wednesdays

Isetatsu Yanaka Honten

The Yanaka area on the other side of Ueno is known for its retro feel, old buildings and small shops and cafes. It also has quite a few galleries and stores selling art supplies. Isetatsu sells paper products with colorful traditional patterns that look like traditional kimono fabric. Browse their selection of stationery and letter sets. They also have fun toys and prints. You are sure to find great souvenirs here.

Address: 2-18-9 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Open 10:00 - 18:00

I will introduce more places for shopping in Tokyo over the next weeks. Click the link below to read this related article you might like: “Shopping for handmade items in Tokyo at 2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISAN - A hidden street filled with small workshops and boutiques”

https://authentic-tokyo.com/news/detail?news_id=666