Shopping - Tokyo - page 242

242 Japan Traditional Craft Center (Zenkoku Dentoteki Kogeihin Senta)

Established to distribute information on Japanese crafts and promote the country's arti-
sans, this two-story center is a great introduction to both traditional and contemporary
Japanese design, with English-language explanations. It sells various top-quality crafts
from all over Japan on a rotating basis, so there are always new items on hand. Crafts for
sale usually include lacquerware, ceramics, textiles, paper products, bamboo items, cal-
ligraphy brushes, ink stones, fans, metalwork, knives, furniture, and sometimes even
stone lanterns or Buddhist family altars. Prices are high, but rightfully so. Unfortunately,
its location in out-of-the-way Ikebukuro makes a trip here feasible only if you have the
time; otherwise, you're probably better off shopping in the crafts section of a department
store. Open daily from 11am to 7pm. 1st floor of Metropolitan Plaza Building, 1-11-1 Nishi-
Ikebukuro. & 03/5954-6066. Station: Ikebukuro (1 min.).
Kanesoh Knives and scissors (including gardening scissors) have been sold from this
tiny shop since the 1870s, now in its fifth generation of knife makers. Open daily 11am
to 7pm. 1-18-12 Asakusa. & 03/3844-1379. Station: Asakusa (2 min.). 1 block west of Nakamise
Dori; take the 1st left after passing under Kaminarimon Gate with its huge paper lantern.
U Kotobukiya This crowded shop specializes in vases and accessories for flower
arranging, of mostly contemporary designs. It also features objects used in tea ceremo-
nies, including cast-iron teapots. Open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 7pm; Sunday and
holidays 10am to 6:30pm. Closed the first and third Tuesday of each month. 3-18-17
Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. & 03/3408-4187. Station: Omotesando (1 min.). On Aoyama Dori,
opposite Omotesando Dori.
Kurodaya If you're visiting Asakusa, you might want to stop in at this shop. First
opened back in 1856, it sells traditional Japanese paper and paper products, including
kites, papier-mâché masks, boxes, and more. Open Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 7pm.
1-2-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku. & 03/3844-7511. Station: Asakusa (1 min.). Next to Kaminarimon Gate,
to the east.
V Kuroeya This shop, with an improbable location on the second floor of an office
building near Nihombashi Bridge (the starting point of all main highways leading out of
Edo to the provinces during the feudal era), has been dealing in fine-quality lacquerware
since 1689, including items used in the tea ceremony and items used in everyday life such
as bowls, chopsticks, trays, stacked boxes, coasters, and plates. In recent years it has also
added wine coolers, walking sticks, handbags, jewelry, and other contemporary items to
its inventory. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 1-2-6 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku.
& 03/3272-0948. Station: Nihombashi (exit B11, 1 min.) or Mitsukoshi-mae (exit B5, 3 min.). Near
Nihombashi Bridge, behind Kinko's (look for the lacquerware display case outside the front
door).
Kyoto-Kan Dispensing tourist information about Kyoto, Kyoto-Kan also has a small
shop with traditional arts and crafts, including bamboo baskets, fans, Japanese sweets,
sake, pottery, paper products and other items. It also offers a 15-minute tea ceremony
experience Monday to Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30pm (reservations are necessary for
groups of more than five persons) for ¥500 per person, including traditional Japanese tea,
a seasonal sweet, and even the opportunity of trying your own hand at making tea. Open
daily 10:30am to 7:30pm. Closed last Wednesday of the month. 2-1-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku.
& 03/5204-2265. Station: Tokyo (Yaesu Central Exit, 1 min.). Across from Tokyo Station.

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