Okadaya

Last time I was in Tokyo I struggled to find Okadaya, despite good directions (this seemed to be a pattern with me). This time I was determined to find it, after reading good things about it.

I took a photo of the well signed store (how could I have missed it) so anyone else trying to locate it knows what to spot. This red sign is what to look for when you come out of the East Exit of Shinjuku station.

Okadaya is in two buildings - each of about 6 levels. One building contains fabric of all descriptions, the other contains all the extra bits you need to sew, knit, bead, and craft your little heart out with.

My favourite floor was the craft book floor (right at the top). I think it had the best craft book selection I'd seen anywhere, with multiple copies of each book. Sadly, there was a "no photos" sign up so I can't show you the proof.

For the knitters there was also a whole yarn floor.

Tomato

Yes, Tomato is that good. Thank you to all the bloggers who talked about this store. It proved well worth the visit. I've never seen so many women buying fabric. Home dressmaking is alive and well in Japan.



Nippori is easy too get to - just take the JR Yamanote line. This map is just outside the East exit of the station (head for the North exit first, then signs to the East exit will appear). If you click on this map you can see it in more detail.



Whether you are a dressmaker, a crafter or a quilter, you are bound to be happy with the selection on offer. My favourite floor was the 4th floor. The 5th floor was also interesting with great bag handles, braids and the like.

There was oodles of linen in all weights and colours. The 100 yen rack near the front door was very popular. It was a complete crush around that area and it was hard to get a close look at the fabric for all the women standing in front of it.

Six floors of craft

Yesterday I sought out Yuzawaya, after reading Suzy's post on her blog Floating World Views. Yuzawaya is about 6 floors of craft supplies. It has some wonderful Japanese stationery on one of the floors, oodles of fabric, and everything else in between. I could have spent hours marvelling over the cupcake baking equipment but I had a twitchy husband with me (who hates craft stores).

The quilting fabric collection was very extensive, with all the Japanese lines I recognise from home. Their fat quarters were rather impressively displayed in little, orderly drawers.

See Suzy's very concise directions on how to find it. I didn't take them with me so wasted much time looking for a shop that was only labelled in Japanese characters. This is a great one stop shop for any crafting supplies you might need.

for you.

hello. to those of you who have just found us. i hope you enjoy this journey that we are on. through the japanese crafting world. so. to get you started. and us, too. here is a little giveaway. enough for two lucky gals. one gal will get the tape and stamps. and the other gal will get the fabric. which are some of my recent favorites from over here. whoohoo.


now. if you would like to have your name thrown into the hat. for the above items. just let us know what you would like to know about japan. or japanese crafts. that will help give us some inspiration for future posts. for you. and feel free to spread the word. the hat will stay open until tuesday night. japanese time.

also. if you are looking at starting a collection of japanese fabric. books. stamps. or tape. or you would like to add to your stack. just wander over to my little shop of japanese goodness. and you will get a 10% discount off your order. (before shipping.) if you mention these words: japanese craft journal. whoohoo. the offer is only available while the hat is open. until tuesday night.

Now you're asking for it

Marceline from the blog, Asking For Trouble, emailed me with a link to her Tokyo Shopping Guide. Marceline must be one very organised shopper, because this appears to be one very fabulous shopping guide.

Thanks Marceline, this is wonderful. I want to go to Loft now.



Image from here.

Fabric shopping

Suzy (who was lucky enough to live in Ebisu for a time) left a comment in the last post leading to an entry on her blog about fabric shopping in Tokyo.

Thanks Suzy for your tips, and for letting us know about your post.

Suzy has also included links to some other posts.