The Tokyo Stationery Guide
Shopping Guide

The Tokyo Stationery Guide

24 pen, paper and stationery shops across five Tokyo areas, anchored on Ginza where Itoya has run a landmark stationery flagship since 1904. This is a curated pick rather than an exhaustive list, running from fountain-pen specialists and washi (traditional Japanese paper) houses to custom-notebook workshops, artist-supply floors and department-store flagships.

24
Shops
5
Areas
Ginza
The Anchor
Pens to Washi
Every Kind

Tokyo takes bungu (stationery) seriously, and the density shows. This guide maps 24 pen, paper and stationery shops across five areas, organized around what each one does best rather than a single flat ranking. Ginza anchors it, where Itoya has run a landmark multi-floor flagship since 1904, and around it sit the incense and washi (traditional Japanese paper) house Kyukyodo, the artist-supply specialist Gekkoso and the lifestyle floors of Loft. Nihonbashi and Marunouchi hold the old paper houses, the washi maker Ozu Washi trading since 1653 and the Edo-era washi and letterpress house Haibara, alongside the flagship bookstore Maruzen. Shinjuku gathers the fountain-pen specialist Kingdom Note and the discount art-and-stationery floors of Sekaido, and the Kanda, Jimbocho and Kuramae belt runs from the fine-paper company Takeo to the custom-notebook and made-to-order-ink workshop kakimori in Kuramae. A final group collects the standout spots elsewhere, from the TRAVELER'S notebook home store in Nakameguro to the classic notebook maker Tsubame Note. Shop-type tags on every card point to whether a stop is a fountain-pen specialist, a washi house, a notebook workshop or a full-range flagship, so you can plan by whether you are after a fountain pen, a sheet of hand-dyed washi or a made-to-order notebook.

Best Shops For...

The Department-Store Flagship

Ginza Itoya

Jump to Ginza Itoya

Fountain Pens and Vintage Pens

Kingdom Note

Jump to Kingdom Note

Washi Paper by the Sheet

Ozu Washi

Jump to Ozu Washi

Custom Notebooks and Made-to-Order Ink

kakimori

Jump to kakimori

Discount Art and Stationery Floors

Sekaido

Jump to Sekaido

Fine Paper from a Paper Company

Takeo

Jump to Takeo

Ginza

FlagshipsWashiFountain Pens

6 locations·Ginza

Ginza is the anchor of this guide and holds six of its 24 shops within a short walk. Itoya is the landmark, a multi-floor stationery flagship trading here since 1904, with everything from fountain pens and fine paper to desk goods across its main building and annex. Around it sit Kyukyodo, an incense and washi (traditional Japanese paper) house whose roots reach back to the 1600s, the artist-supply specialist Gekkoso which has served painters since 1917, the lifestyle and stationery floors of Ginza Loft, and the small imported-pen dealer EuroBox. This is the one area a stationery trip through Tokyo should not skip.

Ginza Itoya
1

Ginza Itoya

(銀座・伊東屋)
Google

4.4(16.34k) reviews

Ginza-itchome Sta.
2-chōme-7-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
FlagshipMulti-floorSince 1904
  • The landmark Ginza stationery flagship, run by Itoya since 1904 and spread across a multi-floor main building with a nearby annex
  • Stock covers fountain pens, fine paper, letter sets, desk goods and gifts, with floors given over to writing, paper and craft
  • A single destination that works as both a first stop and a full afternoon for anyone serious about bungu (stationery)
Kyukyodo
2

Kyukyodo

Google

4.4(1.03k) reviews

Ginza
Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 5-chōme−7−4 鳩居堂ビル
WashiIncenseHistoric
  • An incense and washi (traditional Japanese paper) house with roots reaching back to the 1600s, on its long-held Ginza corner
  • Washi paper, letter sets, brushes, incense and seasonal cards sit alongside calligraphy supplies
  • A stop for traditional Japanese paper goods and gifts rather than modern pens
Gekkoso
3

Gekkoso

Google

4.6(338) reviews

Ginza
Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8-chōme−7−2 永寿ビル 1F・B1F
Art suppliesSince 1917
  • An artist-supply specialist that has served painters in Ginza since 1917, known for its own paints and materials
  • Oils, watercolours, brushes, sketchbooks and its signature original-colour paints line a compact shop
  • A focused stop for fine-art materials rather than general office stationery
Loft
4

Loft Ginza

(銀座ロフト)
Google

4.1(4.48k) reviews

Ginza
ベルビア館, 1階~5階, 2-chōme-4-6 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
LifestyleStationeryMulti-floor

An upscale shopping and dining district is known for its diverse retail offerings, and Loft provides a curated selection of Japanese lifestyle goods. Adrian Widjy (@adrianwidjy) noted the "free for" items, highlighting the wide array of products available for discovery. This shopping experience is designed for solo visits, group outings, and tourists exploring Tokyo. Loft offers extensive stationery and craft supplies, alongside innovative gadgets and beauty products spread across multiple floors. The store features seasonal and limited-edition merchandise displays. Tax-free shopping is available for tourists, with specific counters designated for processing. The atmosphere is modern and lively, making it an inspiring and energetic place to explore.

EuroBox
5

EuroBox

Google

4.5(55) reviews

Ginza
407 1-chōme-9-8 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Imported pensVintage pens

EuroBox offers an extensive collection of European import items. This shopping destination focuses on goods rarely found in Tokyo's larger department stores. It provides a distinct retail experience compared to the numerous fashion boutiques and cafes in the surrounding area. The store draws visitors seeking unique gifts and specialty products. Browse the shelves for a diverse range of European goods. The selection includes homeware, food items, and small accessories. You will find a curated assortment of products, making it a reliable stop for distinctive European finds. Walk-in friendly, EuroBox maintains a welcoming atmosphere for casual browsing.

HANDS Ginza
6

HANDS Ginza

Google

3.9(2.30k) reviews

Ginza
Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 2-chōme−2−14 マロニエゲート 15 9F
Stationery floorsLifestyleMulti-floor

A multi-floor department store specializing in DIY, crafts, household goods, and unique Japanese products, HANDS Ginza offers a diverse range of items. You can find extensive stationery and travel goods sections, alongside practical and quirky items for everyday life and hobbies. This store provides a lively, casual atmosphere for solo visits, group outings, or a general tourist experience. Explore different floors for various product categories. Tax-free shopping is available for eligible visitors on certain floors. This shopping destination provides a broad selection, distinct from other retail options in the Ginza area, with its focus on unique and functional goods.

Nihonbashi & Marunouchi

WashiFine PaperBookstore

3 locations·Nihonbashi / Tokyo

Nihonbashi and Marunouchi hold the old paper houses. Ozu Washi has traded washi (traditional Japanese paper) here since 1653 and keeps a shop that doubles as a paper museum and workshop, while Haibara has sold Edo-era washi, letterpress cards and stationery since 1806. Nearby, Maruzen keeps a flagship bookstore in the Marunouchi Oazo complex with a large stationery floor and its own house-brand pens and notebooks. These are the stops for fine paper with real history behind it.

Ozu Washi
7

Ozu Washi

Google

4.4(364) reviews

Nihonbashihonchō
3-chōme-6-2 Nihonbashihonchō, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0023, Japan
WashiSince 1653Workshop
  • A washi (traditional Japanese paper) house that has traded in Nihonbashi since 1653, one of the oldest paper shops in the city
  • Hundreds of sheets of hand-made and patterned washi are sold by the sheet, alongside a small paper museum and paper-making workshops
  • A destination for anyone buying traditional Japanese paper for art, craft or letters rather than notebooks
Haibara
8

Haibara

Google

4.3(299) reviews

Nihonbashi
Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2-chōme−7−1 東京日本橋タワ
WashiLetterpressSince 1806
  • A washi and letterpress house selling Edo-era paper goods since 1806, now in a Nihonbashi tower with its historic designs intact
  • Letterpress cards, letter sets, patterned washi and stationery carry the shop's archive of traditional motifs
  • A refined stop for Japanese paper gifts and correspondence goods
MARUZEN Marunouchi
9

MARUZEN Marunouchi

Google

4.4(8.18k) reviews

Marunouchi
Japan, 〒100-8203 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1-chōme−6−4 丸の内オアゾ 1階~4階 丸善 丸の内本店
BookstoreStationery floorHouse brand
  • A flagship branch of the Maruzen bookstore in the Marunouchi Oazo complex, with a large dedicated stationery floor
  • Fountain pens, notebooks, letter paper and its own house-brand goods sit above several floors of books
  • A convenient one-stop for pens and paper for anyone already near Tokyo Station

Shinjuku

Fountain PensArt SuppliesDiscount

4 locations·Shinjuku

Shinjuku gathers the specialists. Kingdom Note is a fountain-pen shop dealing in new, used and vintage pens along with inks and repair, a focused stop for pen collectors. Sekaido runs a large discount art-and-stationery store over several floors near Shinjuku-sanchome, a go-to for paints, brushes and everyday supplies at lower prices. Itoya keeps a branch of its stationery flagship inside the Keio department store by the west exit, an easy pairing with the two specialists.

Kingdom Note
10

Kingdom Note

Google

4.3(200) reviews

Nishishinjuku
Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1-chōme−14−11 1F
Fountain pensVintage pensInks
  • A Shinjuku fountain-pen shop dealing in new, used and vintage pens, with a strong secondhand and collector selection
  • Inks, nibs, cases and pen repair sit alongside the pen cabinets, from everyday writers to rare finds
  • A focused stop for anyone hunting a specific fountain pen or selling one on
Sekaido Shinjuku
11

Sekaido Shinjuku

Google

4.4(6.91k) reviews

Shinjuku
Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3-chōme−1−1 世界堂ビル 1F~5F
Art suppliesDiscountMulti-floor
  • A large discount art-and-stationery store spread over several floors near Shinjuku-sanchome
  • Paints, brushes, canvases, papers and everyday stationery are shelved by category at lower-than-list prices
  • A practical stop for art materials and bulk supplies rather than premium pens
ITOYA Shinjuku Store
12

ITOYA Shinjuku Store

Google

3.9(731) reviews

Nishishinjuku
Japan, 〒160-8321 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1-chōme−1−4 京王百貨店新宿店 5F
StationeryIn-store branch

A wide selection of high-quality Japanese and international stationery awaits at ITOYA Shinjuku Store. This Keio Department Store location focuses on both functional and design-oriented stationery products. You will find a diverse range of pens, papers, notebooks, and art supplies. The store emphasizes customer experience with attentive service and knowledgeable staff for product guidance. They provide gift wrapping services. ITOYA regularly updates inventory with new arrivals and seasonal items. They also host occasional workshops or product demonstrations. The store offers a curated selection of premium writing instruments, including an extensive range of fountain pens and inks. It showcases innovative and traditional Japanese stationery items, with exclusive collaborations with designers and artists. The space provides a comfortable and inspiring shopping environment for solo visits or group outings. This is a destination for everyday stationery needs and special finds.

Tokyu Hands Shinjuku Store
13

Tokyu Hands Shinjuku

(Tokyu Hands Shinjuku Store)
Google

4.1(6.62k) reviews

Sendagaya
Times Square Building, 2~7F, 5-chōme-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan
Stationery floorsLifestyleMulti-floor

Tokyo's youth culture and fashion scene is known for its diverse trends, and the Tokyu Hands Shinjuku Store offers a comprehensive range of lifestyle goods within this area. It provides an energetic and inspiring shopping environment, suitable for solo visits, group outings, and both tourist and local experiences. The store is located within the Times Square Building in Shinjuku, providing convenient access to other shopping and dining options nearby. This multi-floor department store specializes in DIY and craft supplies. You will find an extensive selection of stationery, beauty products, travel accessories, and kitchenware. It features unique Japanese inventions and practical items not easily found elsewhere. The store regularly hosts workshops and demonstrations related to crafts and DIY projects; check their website for schedule updates. You can expect a casual and modern mood throughout the store.

Kanda, Jimbocho & Kuramae

Fine PaperCustom NotebooksArt Supplies

4 locations·Jimbocho / Kuramae

The Kanda, Jimbocho and Kuramae belt runs from paper wholesalers to hands-on workshops. Bunpodo has supplied artists near the Jimbocho book town since 1887, and the fine-paper company Takeo keeps two Kanda addresses, a sample shop and its head-office paper shop, where designers buy specialist stock by the sheet. East in Kuramae, kakimori builds made-to-order notebooks and blends made-to-order ink, a craft-stationery destination in its own right. This is the area for paper picked sheet by sheet and stationery made to your own spec.

kakimori
14

kakimori

Google

4.5(1.19k) reviews

Misuji
Japan, 〒111-0055 Tokyo, Taito City, Misuji, 1-chōme−6−2 小林ビル
Custom notebooksMade-to-order inkKuramae
  • A craft-stationery workshop in Kuramae where you build a notebook to order, choosing cover, paper, rings and fittings
  • The neighbouring ink stand blends made-to-order ink to a colour you mix yourself, bottled to take home
  • A hands-on destination rather than a shelf-shop, best with time to sit and assemble a notebook
文房堂 神田店
15

文房堂 神田店

Google

4.4(1.10k) reviews

Kanda Jinbōchō
1-chōme-21-1 Kanda Jinbōchō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan
Art suppliesSince 1887

A long-established art supply store, 文房堂 神田店 (Bumbodo Kanda Store) provides a multi-floor retail space dedicated to art materials and stationery. This store offers an extensive selection, ranging from traditional Japanese art supplies to modern tools. The inspiring and relaxed mood makes it suitable for solo visits or group outings. You can explore the various sections, discovering unique items for any artistic project. Beyond the retail offerings, the store sometimes features a gallery space for exhibitions; check their schedule for current displays. With a Google rating of 4.4 from over 1100 reviews, visitors find it a compelling tourist experience and a resource for artists. It is walk-in friendly, welcoming all to browse its comprehensive collection.

Takeo Paper Shop, Kanda
16

Takeo Paper Shop, Kanda

Google

4.4(150) reviews

Kanda Nishikichō
3-chōme-18-3 Kanda Nishikichō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan
Fine paperSample shopBy the sheet

Takeo Paper Shop, Kanda features an extensive collection of specialty papers. This showroom presents paper products and designs from various artists and manufacturers, focusing on high-quality and unique materials for art, design, and crafts. Regularly updated displays showcase paper's versatility and beauty, providing a tactile and visual experience for enthusiasts. The shop offers both individual sheets and bulk options, with knowledgeable staff specializing in paper characteristics and applications. It serves as a hub for designers, artists, and crafters seeking unique materials. Visitors describe an inspiring and relaxed mood, suitable for solo visits or tourist experiences. The shop features rare and traditional Japanese papers alongside modern innovations. It provides samples and swatches for detailed examination of paper properties. The selection includes sustainable and eco-friendly paper options, with custom cutting and sizing services available. This unique retail concept centers on the tactile and visual appeal of paper.

17

竹尾

Google

4.3(7) reviews

Kanda Nishikichō
3-chōme-12-6 Kanda Nishikichō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan
Fine paperPaper company

Specializes in high-quality paper products from Japan and around the world, 竹尾 (Takeo) offers a showroom for various paper types, textures, and applications. This destination for paper enthusiasts features design exhibitions related to paper art and printing techniques, providing insight into Japanese paper culture and craftsmanship. It offers stationery and paper craft supplies, including a curated selection of rare and limited-edition papers. This is a hub for designers, artists, and paper enthusiasts. Staff are knowledgeable about paper properties and suitable applications. Workshops and events related to paper art and design are often available. It suits a solo visit, local experience, or tourist experience with its inspiring, relaxed, and sophisticated mood. Google users rate it 4.3/5.

Beyond the Center

NotebooksLifestyleWider City

7 locations·Nakameguro / Shibuya / Ikebukuro

The center holds the density, but several stationery destinations elsewhere stand on their own. Traveler's Factory in Nakameguro is the home store of the TRAVELER'S notebook brand, deep in refills, covers and travel goods. The Hands flagship in Shibuya devotes whole floors to pens, paper and stationery, and HIGHTIDE keeps a store in Miyashita Park nearby. The department-store floors carry Sekaido in Ikebukuro Parco, the incense and washi (traditional Japanese paper) house Kyukyodo in Shibuya, and the pen-and-gift counter Smith in Shibuya Hikarie. Tsubame Note, the classic notebook maker, sits up in Asakusabashi. These are the stops to fold in when your route runs wider than the central areas.

Traveler's Factory Nakameguro
18

Traveler's Factory Nakameguro

Google

4.5(772) reviews

Kamimeguro
3-chōme-13-10 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051, Japan
NotebooksTravel goodsBrand store
  • The home store of the TRAVELER'S notebook brand, tucked down a Nakameguro side street in a converted space
  • Refills, leather covers, brass accessories, stamps and limited travel goods fill the shop, with a customisation counter
  • A destination for anyone building out a TRAVELER'S notebook rather than a general stationer
HIGHTIDE STORE Miyashita Park
19

HIGHTIDE STORE Miyashita Park

Google

4.5(49) reviews

Jingūmae
Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingūmae, 6-chōme−20−10 South 2F Miyashita Park
LifestyleStationeryShibuya

HIGHTIDE STORE Miyashita Park offers a curated selection of retro-inspired Japanese stationery and lifestyle goods, featuring exclusive HIGHTIDE brand items and collaborations with designers like Penco, Nahe, and New Retro. This modern store is located within the Miyashita Park complex in Shibuya. It provides a casual atmosphere suitable for a solo visit, a group outing, or those seeking a tourist or local experience. Visitors can explore the collection of Japanese and international brands. The store is walk-in friendly. It maintains a 4.5/5 Google rating across 49 reviews, indicating positive reception for its offerings.

世界堂 池袋パルコ店
20

世界堂 池袋パルコ店

Google

4(509) reviews

Minamiikebukuro
Japan, 〒171-8557 Tokyo, Toshima City, Minamiikebukuro, 1-chōme−28−2 池袋パルコ 6F
Art suppliesDiscountIkebukuro

世界堂 池袋パルコ店 offers a wide selection of art supplies, stationery, and craft materials. You can find everything from professional-grade paints and canvases to unique pens and paper. This shop provides a comprehensive resource for artists and hobbyists, stocking items that are often difficult to locate elsewhere in Tokyo. Their collection includes specialized items for various artistic disciplines, making it a key destination for creative pursuits. Browse an extensive inventory that caters to diverse artistic needs. The store is walk-in friendly, allowing for easy access to its broad product range. With a Google rating of 4/5 from over 500 reviews, visitors generally find the selection and availability of products to be a positive aspect of their shopping experience.

東京鳩居堂 渋谷店
21

東京鳩居堂 渋谷店

Google

4.1(44) reviews

Shibuya
Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 2-chōme−24−12 スクランブルスクエアショップ&レストラン 14階
WashiIncenseShibuya

Traditional Japanese stationery and incense are the focus of 東京鳩居堂 渋谷店 (Tokyo Kyukyodo Shibuya Store), a shop located on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square. This establishment offers high-quality artisanal paper products, calligraphy supplies, and seasonal gifts. The mood is traditional, sophisticated, and peaceful, making it suitable for solo visits, group outings, or cultural experiences. Visitors can explore a wide range of items, from fine paper to aromatic incense. This store, a modern retail point for a brand tracing its history back to 1663, provides a unique cultural experience within a contemporary Shibuya setting. It is walk-in friendly, attracting a modest level of social sentiment with a Google rating of 4.1/5 from 44 reviews.

22

Smith Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs

Google

3.7(39) reviews

Shibuya
Japan, 〒150-8510 Tokyo, Shibuya, 2-chōme−21−1 3F Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs
PensGiftsDepartment store

Smith Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs offers a curated selection of stationery and lifestyle goods, making it a destination for those seeking unique items in Shibuya. First-time visitors might miss the store's broader appeal if they only focus on general stationery, overlooking the limited-edition collaborations and design-focused tools. The store is part of a larger department store, which can make it easy to overlook its specific product range amidst other shops. To make the most of your visit, explore beyond the main display. Seek out the exclusive Shibuya-themed items and carefully selected Japanese brands that distinguish this location. This approach ensures you discover items not easily found elsewhere. The store is walk-in friendly, allowing for casual browsing during shopping trips.

23

Tsubame Note Co.,Ltd.

Google

4.2(23) reviews

Asakusabashi
Japan, 〒111-0053 Tokyo, Taito City, Asakusabashi, 5-chōme−4−1 ツバメグロースビル
NotebooksClassic maker

Direct access to a historic Japanese stationery brand's products awaits visitors at Tsubame Note Co.,Ltd. This showroom highlights the iconic Japanese paper quality and design in its notebooks, sketchbooks, and paper goods, which have been produced since 1947. You will find original Tsubame Note merchandise and exclusive items not available elsewhere, providing a deeper look into the brand's heritage and craftsmanship. This shopping destination offers a relaxed, casual mood for solo visits or a tourist experience in Asakusabashi, an area known for its traditional craft and wholesale stores. It serves as a destination for stationery enthusiasts and designers seeking functional and aesthetically pleasing paper products. The building itself reflects the brand's history, offering a unique architectural experience for those interested in Tokyo's artisan culture. Walk-in friendly, it provides a direct connection to a brand valued for its smooth writing surfaces and durability.

Hands SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE Store
24

Hands SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE Store

Google

4(499) reviews

Shibuya
Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 2-chōme−24−12 スクランブルスクエア ショップ&レストラン 10階
Stationery floorsLifestyleShibuya

An extensive range of creative and DIY goods defines Hands SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE Store. This large retail space is within the Shibuya Scramble Square building, offering direct access from the station. The store provides unique Japanese stationery, craft supplies, and lifestyle items across multiple floors. It often hosts workshops and demonstrations related to crafts and DIY projects. This shopping destination focuses on providing tools for personal projects and creative expression. The mood is energetic and modern. It suits a solo visit, a group outing, or a tourist experience. You can find items for various occasions, from practical home goods to artistic materials. It is walk-in friendly.

Pro Tips

Test a Fountain Pen Before You Buy

The specialist pen shops keep tester pens and ink samples out, and staff expect you to try a nib before choosing. Bring a sense of whether you want a fine or broad nib and whether you write in Japanese or a Latin script, since Japanese nibs tend to run finer than their Western equivalents. If you are after a used or vintage pen, ask about the nib condition and whether it has been serviced.

Buy Washi by the Sheet, and Ask How to Carry It

Washi (traditional Japanese paper) is usually sold as single large sheets rather than pads, so decide what you need it for before choosing a weight and pattern. The old paper houses will advise on which sheets suit calligraphy, wrapping or bookbinding, and most can roll or fold a purchase for travel. A cardboard tube in your bag keeps sheets flat and clean on the flight home.

Leave Time for the Made-to-Order Shops

A custom notebook or a blended ink is a sit-down process rather than a grab off the shelf, and the workshops can get busy on weekends. Allow the better part of an hour to choose a cover, paper and fittings or to mix an ink colour, and check whether the shop is taking walk-ins or asking you to book a slot on the day. Going on a weekday afternoon is the calmest way to do it.

Tax-Free Shopping (Rules Change Nov 2026)

Tax-free availability varies by shop, so confirm participation and carry your passport. Through October 31, 2026, eligible visitors get the exemption at the register when spending at least 5,000 yen before tax at one store on the same day. From November 1, 2026, eligible visitors pay the tax-inclusive price first, customs confirms at departure that the goods are leaving Japan, and the retailer or its refund provider then returns the consumption-tax equivalent, with the method varying by store. The larger flagships and department-store branches are the most likely to handle it smoothly.

Carry Cash for the Smaller Shops

The flagships and department-store branches take cards, but several of the smaller pen, washi and workshop shops are cash-first or set a card minimum. Keep some yen on hand so a small purchase is easy, and note that many independent shops close one day a week and keep shorter hours than a mall.

Frequently Asked Questions