In April 2024 my husband and I were lucky enough to visit Japan for the first time. We spent almost 3 glorious weeks travelling to Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa and Osaka and loved every minute of it.
Japan is a beautiful country with a rich cultural and crafting heritage. We were keen to explore the crafting heritage wherever we could. Sadly, a common refrain was how many of the traditional artisans and small businesses had closed due either to the decline in interest in the craft and its product or, there was no one in the next generation who was willing/able to continue the craft. This is a common sentiment across the globe unfortunately.
We were so fortunate to meet several artisans who are still today proudly crafting using traditional techniques of many generations before them. What a privilege it was to meet them! Sit back and enjoy the read and the photos.
Tokyo
Being one of the world’s largest cities I expected Tokyo to be a concrete jungle and, to be honest, I did not expect to particularly enjoy it. How wrong I was! It was so beautiful with green parks large and small dotted throughout the city.We stayed in Tokyo (Ginza area) for 5 days and could have easily stayed longer with so much to see – and did I mention the food was fabulous?
Tokyo – Craft Shops & Recommendations
Old Asakura House
The Old Asakura House is a charming century old wooden Japanese house in the Daikanyama district of Tokyo. The house was built in 1919 by a young timber merchant who later became a city councillor. One of the last remaining traditional wooden houses in Tokyo, it gives us a glimpse into the lives of Japanese elite of the time.
Not only is it an immaculately well-preserved representation of the architecture of the era, the grounds are fabulously graceful with that calming and elegant air that the Japanese do so well.
The other big attraction of Old Asakura House is that it does not cater for tourist buses and the like and remains one of the cities lesser-known tourist attractions. Let’s keep it that way!
🏠 29-20 Sarugakucho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0033, Japan
The National Art Center Tokyo
An architecturally beautiful building, we were so luck to see a Henri Matisse exhibition here. Loved it. Check the website for the latest information.
🏠 〒106-8558 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 7 Chome−22−2
Tokyo - Other Places of Interest (did not visit)
- Tokyo Art Center – hand weaving school and range of natural yarns and threads. www.artcenter.co.jp
- Cohana Nihonbashi Shop – celebrating local Japanese craftsmanship. A beautiful range of tools, threads and notions. cohana.style
- Miyuki Factory – bead store. miyukifactory.com
- Maito Design Works - a celebration of traditional Japanese crafted clothes and textiles; workshops including dyeing with plant materials; and yarns. maitokomuro.com
- Machida Itoten – manufacturer of silk and other threads. Founded in 1864 . machida-ito-co.jp
- Yuzawaya – craft materials, fabric, yarns. yuzawaya.co.jp
- Daruma Store – threads, yarns, workshops. Founded in 1901www.daruma-store.jp
- Walnut – finest yarns, tools and workshops. shop.amirisu.com
- Amimono – yarns and workshops. Encourages instore knitting. amimon-spin.com
- Odakyu Department Store. odakyu.com
Kyoto
I loved Kyoto – I knew I would, and I did!
Kyoto has a much more traditional atmosphere than Tokyo – almost like you are stepping back into another era.
Kyoto has a reputation of being a centre of Japan’s traditional crafts. There are many opportunities for browsing, shopping and workshops – google is your friend. It is super easy to get around Kyoto either by foot or public transport.
PS: this photo is of a real geisha! Apparently there are less than 1,000 geishas remaining in Japan and we happened to see 1 of them on our first evening in Kyoto as she was gliding away across the street - so lucky!
Kyoto – Craft Shops & Recommendations
Nomura Tailor Shop
Nomura is a veritable goldmine with 4 floors full of fabrics, yarns, notions - anything and everything. And they have a huge selection of beautiful Liberty fabrics.
🏠 600-8004 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Naramonochō
Misuyabari Needle Shop (the secret needle shop)
It was such a privilege to visit this exquisite shop. Hidden down an alleyway is this beautiful workshop where sewing needles and assorted notions have been crafted by hand for around 400 years.
The owner is a gracious man who is the 18th generation of his family of makers of these beautiful needles. Once supplied to the imperial court of Kyoto, these needles are extremely sharp and still crafted by hand. The shop also has divine pins with miniature objects perched on top as well as sewing snips and sewing boxes and other notions. This shop is a must visit!
Nishijin Textile Center
🏠 414 Tatemonzencho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8216,
Itokobaco
A cute and very cosy yarn store set in a traditional Japanese townhouse and full of yarns and patterns. I purchased a selection of lovely pattern books - I will need google translate but the patterns are worth it! Workshops available too.
🏠 1071 Shuzeicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8155
Mimuroto-ji Temple
Not a yarn shop or a craft store, but a tranquil buddhist temple with plantings of more than 10,000 each rhodendens and azaleas. Fabulous gardens with seasonal flowers including azaleas, hydrangeas, cherry blossoms and lotuses.
A little off the regular tourist trail so is generally very quiet and peaceful. Close to the city of Uji which was founded over 1,200 years ago. A nature lovers delight and a must see if you are in the area.
🏠 Shigatani-21 Todo, Uji, Kyoto 611-0013
Kyoto - Other Places of Interest (did not visit)
- Gallery of Kyoto – traditional arts and crafts. Regularly has exhibitions dentoukougei.com
- Hosoo – a nishijin-ori specialist. Lots of beautiful textiles. Founded in 1688. hosoo-kyoto.com
- Kyoto Artisans Concierge – a fabulous concept which connects people with traditional Japanese artisans. www.kyotoartisans.jp/en/
- Soushi Tsuzure-En Textile Studio. Specialising in the Kyoto nail-scratching tapestry weaving technique. kyotoartisans.jp/en/500
- Yuzawaya – sewing shop. www.yuzawaya.co.jp
- Idola Bead Shop www. idola-kyoto.shop/
- Waaminomise Morita Washi www.wagami.jp/en
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is known as the city of “Kogei” (crafts) and is an arts and crafts lovers paradise. Kanazawa has thrived as a centre for traditional Japanese crafts and is now recognised by UNESCO as a city of Crafts and Folk Art.
Situated to the north-east of Kyoto, Kanazawa is a historic castle town with many of its old buildings preserved having escaped much of the destruction of World War Two. A low key version of Kyoto if you like and another must-visit destination.
Kanazawa – Craft Shops & Recommendations
Meboso Hachirobei
What a treat! An amazing 500+ year old family business which is still hand crafting sewing needles and fishing lures. The owner is the 19th generation of his family to continue the tradition which began in this same location in 1575. At that time they made sewing needles for the samurai. Later this morphed to fly-fishing hooks and lures. A fascinating story and another must visit with too many handcrafted sewing notions (and fishing lures) to resist!
🏠 11-35 Yasuecho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0854
Hakuza Hikarigura - Gold Leaf Craftsmen
Traditional Japanese gold leaf craftsmanship set in a preserved Japanese traditional wooden house.
Fun fact - Kanazawa produces 99% of Japan's gold leaf.
🏠 11-35 Yasuecho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0854
Mate-mono - Super Fine Organza
Luxurious textiles crafted from super fine organza including scarves and bags.
🏠 11-35 Yasuecho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0854
Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
A beautiful museum with contemporary exhibits and a lovely gift shop.
🏠 1 Chome-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8509
Nomura-ke Samurai Residence
A fascinating viewing of a fantastically preserved house of a wealth samurai family. In fact the whole district is so well preserved and wonderful for a wander. Beautiful gardens too.
🏠 1 Chome-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865
Kanazawa - Other Places of Interest (did not visit)
- Ishida Lacquerware. Specialising in Wajima-nuri and Yamanaka-nuri lacquerware. www.ishidasikkiten.com
- Kanazawa Mikura. Lacquerware in the traditions and techniques of the Hokuriku region. plus-e.art
- Kaburaki Porcelain. Opened in 1822. kaburaki.jp
- Kaikaro Tea Café. kaikaro.jp
- Kaga Temari Crafts. kagatemari.com
- Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art. Lots of arts and crafts. www.ishibi.pref.ishikawa.jp
Osaka
I must admit that initially Osaka didn’t really appeal. On initial arrival there was a lot more glitz and neon lights than we had seen elsewhere. I found it quite jarring. However, as we started to get around I warmed to Osaka a lot! As with elsewhere in Japan, we found there was a lot to see and do, the people were so lovely and super friendly and the food was fantastic - all boxes ticked!
Osaka – Craft Shops & Recommendations
Honkekikuya Tea & Sweet Shop
This gorgeous 400 year old tea and confectionary shop looks much like it would have all those years ago. There is a traditional tatami seating are and cabinets which house the traditional wooden sweet moulds that are still in use today. Stop by for a traditional tea and sweet treat.
🏠 1-11 Yanagi, Yamatokoriyam 639-1134 Nara Prefecture
🌐 Honkekikuya Confectionary Shop
Hakomotokan Konya Indigo Dyeing Studio
This studio has quite a reputation for traditional Indigo Dyeing. Unfortunately there was nobody in the studio to chat to when I went. I had a wander around but that was about it. Lots of dyeing equipment for the workshops that they hold. I would call ahead if you go.
🏠 19-1 Konyamachi, Yamatokoriyama, Nara 639-1148
Japan Travel - Other Miscellaneous Tips
- We used the public transport system – trains and buses – and our feet to get around everywhere within the cities
- Bullet trains between cities. What a great experience. We booked all of our 4 bullet train journeys at the main Tokyo station when we were in Tokyo. Amazingly this photo of beautiful Mt Fuji was taken from our bullet train on an iPhone and travelling at approx 280km's per hour!
