Jun 30, 2014

Jun 29, 2014

shop#103 Kakimori

Kakimori is a stationary store. Make your own notebook selecting from various kinds of papers and combining them as you like. There is also many kinds of pens as well as distinctive color inks. Since you can get an illustrated map around Kuramae including Asakusa and Asakusabashi, this is the first place to visit. 






Jun 22, 2014

shop#102 Sunny

Actually, this is a cafe at the Nishisando Street (street#8) but they also sell some Japanese toys. 
Do you know Daruma, which is a red round one with no eyeball? When you have something good, you put a first eyeball and pray another fortune. Once your wish come true, you put the other eyeball to Daruma.




shop#101 Hacoa at 2k540

You will feel a real craftsmanship when you visit this shop, selling wooden crafts such as various kind of cases, clocks, flash drives and keyboards. You can put a seal on these products in 20 minutes if no one is waiting in line.

Extra fee for putting a name will be from 1,800 yen and a illustration from 1,620 yen. Kanji as well as alphabets available.

http://www.hacoa.com/






Jun 21, 2014

shop#100 Kiriya Tanaka at 2k540

A memorial 100th shop is Kiriya Tanaka at 2k540 (street#16). This is a specialty store for crafts made of paulownia wood, from cutting boards to chests. As a Japanese tradition, a bride used to prepare a set of chests made of paulownia wood, when she got married. The chests are expensive but can be used for many generations.

http://kiriya2k540.com/itemlist.html





Jun 18, 2014

shop#99 Hirayama Paper

Hirayama Paper is a specialty store for Japanese paper products from beautiful Washi (Japanese paper) envelopes to wonderfully soft toilet papers with a scent of rose.

Located near Kappabashi on the Asakusa boulevard.



Jun 17, 2014

shop#98 Tsubame Kobo

Tsubame Kobo is a studio for dyed fabrics, located in the middle of Okazu Yokocho. There is a wooden weaving machine in the shop. 



shop#97 Yamakichi

Do you recognize what are these in the photo using a motif of cat, watermelon or Mt. Fuji? 

Yamakichi sells Japanese ceramics and glassware. In summer, Furin (wind-bell) are hung at the entrance. The vessels in the photo are called Kayariki in order to make smoke rise to kill mosquitoes. Cute, aren't they?



Jun 13, 2014

shop#96 UNIQLO Okachimachi

UNIQLO Okachimachi has opened next to JR Okachimachi station at the end of this April, where you can check every product of UNIQLO. One third of the staffs can speak English, Chinese or Korean. 





Jun 9, 2014

shop#95 Inujirushi Kaban (at Kaminarimon Street)

This shop sells various kinds of bags, for example, toto bags, business bags, travel bags, wallets and shopping bags, made from sailcloth. This sailcloth is light, strong and easily dyed, made in a weaving factory in Shiga prefecture only for Inujirushi Kaban. The bags are made in Asakusa. Very popular especially among young people.




Jun 7, 2014

shop#94 Midori-ya

This is a shop for bamboo works such as chopsticks, baskets, flower bases and bags which are all hand made. The shop has more than 100 years' history since 1908. 
Located near the stairways called Yuyake-Dandan in Yanaka.