Tokyo is one of the world’s most vibrant cities and that has a lot to do with its dynamism. Our beloved metropolis is always innovating and creating. Who knew you could find space to craft sake, wine, beer and gin in this densely populated capital? These urban breweries (p4-5) are distilling Tokyo into a bottle, so you can savour the city in every sip.
Meanwhile, another side of Tokyo’s drinking culture is experiencing a spirited revival. Western-style coffee shops known as kissaten and their later offshoots – listening bars – were born in Tokyo between the late 19th and early 20th century. They have since gone on to inspire similar establishments around the world, and are now experiencing a revival in our city, the place where it all began.
With trends like these shaping the city, now is the best time to discover unique experiences and products that are quintessentially Tokyo.
Good old days
Spirits of Tokyo
These pint-sized producers are making amazing beer, wine, sake and gin right here in central Tokyo. By
Emma Steen
BREWING, WINE-MAKING AND DISTILLING SPIRITS are labour-intensive operations that require a substantial amount of space for fermentation vessels, storage and bottle-filling stations. One might think that the cramped conditions of most Tokyo neighbourhoods would make it impossible to operate a functional brewery in these areas, but where there’s a will there’s a way, and a handful of passionate drink makers are determinedly running their businesses in the city centre. Offering everything from sake flights to winery tours, these local facilities deliver all the pleasures of countryside brewhouses and vineyards without the hassle of leaving the city.
Bathe Yotsume Brewery
In 2020, an 88-year-old sento facility in Sumida called Koganeyu was revamped to preserve Tokyo’s communal bathhouse tradition while attracting younger locals. The upgrade featured a dual-purpose reception that serves as a taproom and DJ booth, with modern touches by artist Hiroko Takahashi. The project was so successful it became a catalyst for the renovations of two other bathhouses in the neighbourhood, as well as the opening of a new beer brewery, all of which are now managed by the same company.
Inspired by the simple joy of enjoying a frothy, ice-cold beer straight after a hot bath, Bathe Yotsume Brewery produces three house beers behind a counter, with aesthetics reminiscent of an old-school bathhouse. Like its sister establishment Koganeyu, the brewpub delivers music spun on vinyl curated by local DJs, but the majority of the space in the facility is reserved for beer production
instead of baths and saunas. Offerings include Forest, a weizen that echoes the tranquillity of forest baths, Sunrise, a gently sweet pale ale, and Shower, an IPA with a sharp citrus bite. Non-alcoholic options are also available.
à 4-11-3 Narihira, Sumida (Oshiage Station). tinyurl.com/TOTbathe. 6pm-10.30pm, Sat & Sun 3pm-10.30pm, closed Mon-Wed.
ward in 2017, contributing to the district’s rich manufacturing history. Here, chefturned-winemaker Michiko Suai crafts her award-winning wines using 100-percent domestic grapes from Yamanashi, Nagano, and a contracted farm in Ibaraki. Despite its small 33sqm space, the winery produces a whopping 13,000 bottles annually.
Tastings are conducted on milk crate tables outside the cellar door, where about six types of wine are available to try for ¥300 each.
Book Road hosts winery tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm, accommodating up to eight people per session at ¥1,000 each (reservations required). Additionally, the winery offers a variety of monthly events, from wine tastings to pasta-making wine parties.
Every summer, as new grape shipments arrive to begin the year’s fermentation, you also have the chance to create your own wine, thus adding a personal touch to your wine experience.
à 3-40-2 Taito, Taito (Naka-Okachimachi, Okachimachi stations). 03 5846 8660. tinyurl.com/TOTbookroad. 5pm-9pm, Sat, Sun & hols 12noon-5pm, closed Wed.
Book Road
Book Road is an urban winery that opened in the artisanal Kachikura area of Taito
Inkhorn Brewing
Near Mejiro Station is this charming standingonly taproom with lavish murals of exotic birds. But the nifty space doesn’t just serve delicious beers on tap – it brews them, too. Inkhorn is a family-run business headed by Shun Nakade, who was inspired by his time abroad in the United States to start his own brewery in the heart of Tokyo.
Inkhorn boasts a transparent brewing space visible through expansive windows and equipped with state-of-the-art tanks that produce around seven types of beer at a time. It takes roughly three weeks to brew each batch, with an additional five weeks of planning for new recipes, but Nakade takes pride in developing his menu to offer a mix of longtime favourites and new renditions. Recent additions include the Urban Jungle double IPA, which has autumnal, citrusy notes and a hefty ABV of 8 percent. For extra hot days, the 5.3-percent Vacation Mysteries is a no-brainer: deliciously tart and juicy, this passion fruit-infused brew is a thirstquenching summer relief.
à 2-2-2 Mejiro, Toshima (Mejiro Station). inkhorn.jp. 1pm-9pm, Sat, Sun & hols 12noon-7pm.
Heiwa Doburoku Kabutocho
This sleek sake pub in Kabutocho business district is operated by a celebrated brewery from Wakayama prefecture. With nearly a century of sake production experience, the brewery offers a wide selection of Wakayama’s finest at its Tokyo outpost here, from sparkling sake to honey-citrus liqueur made with local yuzu. Beyond the bottled offerings, however,
this bar takes things one step further with a seasonal selection of doburoku, which is brewed on-site.
Delightfully rich, creamy and brimming with a refreshingly tangy flavour, doburoku is an unfiltered rice wine with a slightly lower alcohol percentage than sake which is filtered and aged. Doburoku requires a licence to brew, but it’s easier to produce than sake in that it requires less space to make and is subject to fewer regulations, allowing brewers to get creative with ingredients for a variety of flavour profiles.
Heiwa Doburoku Kabutocho fully embraces this freedom by infusing their batches of doburoku with produce like basil, lychee and blueberries while bringing sake enthusiasts closer to the brewing process.
à 8-11 Nihonbashi-Kabutocho, Chuo (Kayabacho Station). 03 6264 9457. tinyurl.com/TOThdbk. 1pm-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-9pm.
Wineman Factory
You wouldn’t think there would be any space to fit a winery in the tightly packed cluster of shops just in front of Tamachi Station, but Wineman has achieved an unlikely feat in a two-storey structure that was once a yakitori restaurant. In an annexe to the side of the main building – painted in vivid green – you’ll see a small fermentation room filled with enormous stainless steel vessels for making small-batch vino in autumn and apple cider in winter.
If you’re looking to stock up on a few bottles, you’ll find a selection of Wineman’s wines and ciders in the second-floor shop. The same floor also includes a casual dining space where guests can sit around a long communal table and order a cheese platter and bowl of pasta to pair with a glass of red or white.
THE RISE OF TOKYO GIN
Tokyo Hachioji Distillery
Tokyo Hachioji Distillery became the first craft spirit distillery to open in Tokyo’s Tama area when it launched in 2022. The distillery focuses on the traditional method and taste of classic London dry-style gin, but gives itself an edge by using local botanicals like Japanese lemon peel and natsumikan (summer oranges).
à 1213-5 Kuwatacho, Hachioji (Hazama Station). tinyurl.com/TOTthdgin. Irregular opening hours.
Tokyo Riverside Distillery
Run by Ethical Spirits & Co., this trendy micro-distillery in Kuramae strives to make drinking culture more sustainable by turning food surplus and byproducts into quality gin. You’ll get an idea of the flavour profiles in bottles like the Cacao Éthique, made with a base of sake lees with cacao husks, if you ask the staff to spritz the spirit on a cotton pad for you. But for a proper experience, head to the distillery’s secondfloor gastropub.
The downstairs dining area is a slightly more formal space with an open kitchen for when you want to treat yourself to a full-course Italian meal.
à 4-11-3 Narihira, Sumida (Oshiage Station). tinyurl.com/TOTwineman. 6pm-10.30pm, Sat & Sun 3pm-10.30pm, closed Mon-Wed.
à 3-9-1 Kuramae, Taito (Kuramae Station). tinyurl.com/TOTtrdgin. Distillery: Tue-Sun 1pm-7pm; Bar and restaurant: Wed-Sun 6pm-11pm.
Toranomon Distillery
In Toranomon, an urban distillery upholds Tokyo’s shochubrewing traditions by crafting gin using Ome spring water and local shochu. Its exclusive gin, Common, is showcased in cocktails paired with homestyle Japanese dishes at the on-site modern izakaya gastropub, Toranomon Shushokudo.
à Toranomon Hills Business Tower 3F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato (Toranomon Hills Station). tinyurl.com/TOTtd. 11am-3pm, 5pm-8pm; Sat & Sun 12noon-3pm, 4.30pm-8pm.
Casio Watches: 50 years of innovation
The history of Casio, which this year celebrates 50 years of wristwatch production, is one of innovation after innovation. It’s also a story of readiness to take on a challenge, and of family working together towards an inspired vision.
Five decades after the company unveiled its first watch, and with its iconic G-Shock series having sold over 140 million units, Casio’s concept of functional, stylish and durable timepieces for all continues to set standards.
The company’s path to watchmaking supremacy has humble beginnings. In 1946 with much of Tokyo in ruins following World War II, a young man named Tadao Kashio set up a small metalworking factory in the city’s suburbs. One by one, his three younger siblings joined him in this business, with each brother bringing his own distinct talents. By the following decade, the Kashio brothers were exploring the electronics sphere, and in 1957 launched the world’s first compact all-electric calculator. That same year, they established Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
This close-knit company was, then as now, alive to the potential of new technology.
Following 1972’s release of the world’s first personal calculator, the Casio Mini, the company realised that watches could make great use of the LSI (large-scale integration) technology it had developed for calculators.
Casio hit the ground running with its debut wristwatch, the revolutionary Casiotron QW02, which went on sale in 1974. Digital watches equipped with calendar functions had been seen before, however these devices were ‘unaware’ of how many days comprised the current month, leaving the wearer to set this manually. The QW02 was equipped with the world’s first watch calendar that automatically adjusted for longer and shorter months.
The subsequent decade saw the debut of Casio’s best-selling G-Shock series. The G-Shock DW-5000C, launched in 1983, was a highly shock-resistant model that transformed notions of what a wristwatch could be by setting a new benchmark for toughness. This was enabled by
an innovative approach to construction that has become the DNA of this much-loved range.
The DW-5000C employed a hollow structure to support the watch module as if it were floating in the case, minimising impact transmission. It also set the template for G-Shock’s signature, timeless style: the DW-5000C wouldn’t look out of place in a 2024 fashion shoot.
Into the 21st century, Casio has kept the innovations coming. The Wave Ceptor WVA-300, released in 2001, was a solar-powered radiocontrolled watch that could automatically sync itself to the correct time by receiving standard time radio signals.
In 2014, the G-Shock GPW-1000 elaborated upon this concept. It was a wristwatch equipped with the world’s first hybrid time acquisition system that could perform time syncing using both Multi-Band 6 radio and GPS satellite signals.
The WSD-F10 meanwhile, launched in 2016, was a ‘smart outdoor watch’. Since it utilised the Android Wear operating system, wearers could also add apps to further enhance its functionality for different outdoor situations.
As you can see, all the designs and features of Casio watches are well-considered and serve a purpose. Everything is designed to look beautiful and remain functional – nothing is superfluous. Casio watches are the ultimate timepieces where style meets practicality.
G-Shock Full Metal
The ultimate expression of Casio’s trademark functional beauty
The G-Shock Full Metal series comprises the most refined G-Shock models yet: the iconic watch is rendered in an elegant all-metal casing to achieve a perfect balance of durability, robustness and state-of-the-art functionality. Two new additions to the Full Metal lineup elevate this Casio philosophy further, with watch dials enhanced by vibrant blue accents. Vapour deposition technology is employed to bring this hue to the dial of the analogue-face GM-B2100AD-2A, and to the glass of the digital display on GMW-B5000D-2. These blue accents contrast graciously with the silver gleam of the Full Metal casing, in two timepieces that effortlessly coordinate with outfits from sporty through to formal.
Elevated finishing that’s a cut above
In the GM-B2100AD-2A, dual-layer construction is used to give distinct finishes to the watch’s inset analogue dial and LCD portion. Precision die-moulding technology brings meticulously detailed finishing to these surfaces, and both an intricate grind-mark finish and vapour deposition are applied to the dial ring.
The digital-display GMW-B5000D-2 takes its square silhouette from the very first G-Shock watch, 1983’s now-classic DW-5000C. Here this iconic form, now rendered in refined yet super-tough Full Metal, is elevated by a face border imbued with the same rich blue, again courtesy of vapour deposition.
Style and substance in perfect balance
Underpinning these aesthetics is a build quality that lives up to the G-Shock reputation for durability. Screw-lock case backs ensure a seal that is 20-bar water-resistant, while the flawless integration of individual parts results in superior impact resistance.
Ruggedness and style are joined by up-tothe-minute functionality. Integrated Bluetooth provides connection with a dedicated smartphone app that enables easier watch setup and reminders to pop up on the watch. These watches’ onboard features, meanwhile, include tough solar power, LED-powered Super Illuminator technology, five daily alarms, and much more.
Built to last
Yusuke Komiya from Casio’s hardware quality assurance department explains why durability is so important to the brand and how Casio watches stand the test of time
One of the things that people love about Casio watches is that they last a long time. How durable are your watches?
When people hear about the durability of Casio watches, they generally think of shock resistance, but there are other factors as well. For instance, our watches are also highly waterproof.
What do you do to enhance durability?
We have established a high level of durability by constantly incorporating new technology and introducing new materials and shapes into our watches. We also strive to continuously improve each model from the prototype stage all the way through to the product evaluation tests.
Why is durability so important in watches?
We place great importance on durability as it gives our customers peace of mind when using our watches in a variety of situations. Watches are precision instruments that are exposed to many elements in daily life, such as water, sweat, shocks, vibrations and so on.
It’s comforting to know that people can use our watches without having to worry about causing serious damage to their watches in their daily activities.
How does Casio ensure the durability of each watch?
We conduct numerous tests throughout the development of
new products, and have developed assessment methods, quality standards and facilities to test out our technologies in a variety of situations. We currently have about 200 evaluation factors, and we conduct tests for approximately 100 of these factors per product – or in some cases more, depending on the concept of the watch and the functions it may have.
GM-B2100AD-2A
GMW-B5000D-2
Tokyo tempo
The trend of returning to analogue living in the digital age has brought a renewed interest in two long-standing Tokyo institutions: listening bars and kissaten.
By Emma Steen
WESTERN-STYLE COFFEE SHOPS, known as kissaten, first appeared in Tokyo in the late 1800s as places for people to enjoy foreign novelties like imported coffee. These establishments later evolved into ubiquitous social hubs, where people met for a quick bite and lingered over a strong brew. This culture gave rise to the Showaera (1926–1989) jazz kissaten, which eventually led to the uptick of listening bars we see in cities around the world today.
Craving nostalgic elements from the past is common, but the growing fascination with old-school coffee shops and listening bars indicates more than a passing trend. In our fast-paced, digital society, everything from automatic coffee machines to smartphones is designed for maximum convenience and instant gratification. However, the relentless pursuit of speed has left many feeling overwhelmed and restless.
On days when you seek a respite from this overstimulating world, these Tokyo nooks, where it all began, offer peace in the form of meticulously hand-poured coffee and curated vinyl records played on topof-the-line sound systems. Pure, simple
Coffee Hall Kugutsusou
Coffee Hall Kugutsusou has been a staple in the Kichijoji neighbourhood since 1979, when it was established by the staff of a puppet theatre troupe. Its entrance, a small botanical mesh archway, is easily overlooked unless you’re searching for it. Descend the stairs, however, and you’ll find yourself in a warmly lit, cave-like space that evokes the feel of a wine cellar.
The café specialises in hand-poured coffee, using French-roasted beans aged for at least two years to reduce their acidity while enhancing their deep, rich flavour. The menu features two variations of the classic kissaten dish, curry rice.
The Kugutsubo Curry (¥1,250) offers a thick European-style roux paired with rice infused with sweet, fruity raisins, balancing the umami-rich gravy. Alternatively, the Om Curry (¥1,250) combines a coconut-based curry with fluffy scrambled eggs and rice. This secluded retreat offers a respite from the bustling world above, slowing down time and providing a serene escape.
Operating an old-school kissaten like Cafe Bon in Shinjuku involves more than just offering drip coffee from houseroasted beans. This café prides itself on the quality of its ingredients, particularly those used in its signature strawberry
shortcakes – a menu highlight that often sells out by early afternoon. With only 16 slices available daily, these cakes feature fresh strawberries and natural dairy cream (none of that artificial, aerated nonsense that comes out of a can here!). The shortcake is delicately sweet, with a fluffy texture and subtly enhanced with an elegant strawberry liqueur as a secret touch.
The menu offers five types of coffee: mocha, Colombian, Brazilian, special, and blended. Coffee is priced from roughly ¥1,400 per order, but remember that this isn’t your everyday grab-and go caffeine stand. Each order is good for about three full pours of coffee, which is served in one of the 1,500 vintage coffee cups displayed behind the counter.
outfits ranging from oversized Ts to date night get-ups. With grey, sound-absorbing mesh walls and industrial-style metal chairs, the space is muted in design, but the bar’s state-ofthe-art Koon speakers ensure that the curated playlist of the night commands the room.
The music theme depends on the nightly roster of in-house DJs, but genres can range from city pop to alternative rock and New York jazz to Japanese soul. If you see an artist you like on the shelves, you’re welcome to make a song request for ¥700. The easy-going staff also invite patrons to bring their records from home if they want to hear their favourite songs on a higher-quality sound system, whether it’s the soundtrack of a beloved film or an album like Taylor Swift’s TTPD.
And while Spincoaster prioritises space for its record collection over its selection of liquor bottles, it boasts an impressive array of spirits to craft the perfect cocktail. Highlights include the Scottish Isle of Harris Gin, which is distilled with sugar kelp, and the craft Amarás Verde Mezcal, ensuring that both music and drink enthusiasts are well catered to. à 2-26-2 Yoyogi, Shibuya (Yoyogi Station). spincoaster.com. 03 6823 8847. 7pm-2am, Wed 8pm-2am.
Little Soul Cafe
Little Soul Cafe has been a sanctuary for Shimokitazawa’s music lovers since 1999. This cosy bar opens its doors every evening from 7pm, welcoming patrons into a warmly lit, narrow corridor-like space crammed with over 15,000 vinyl records. These records, a lifetime collection started during the owner’s student days, span genres from soulful ’60s and dance music to classical jazz and funk. The bar’s relaxed vinyl sessions aim to foster a community vibe, making everyone from first-time visitors to regulars feel right at home.
Aside from its rich musical offerings, Little Soul Cafe boasts an impressive drink menu with approximately 450 spirit and cocktail options. The bar takes special pride in its extensive rum selection, featuring over 100 varieties sourced from places like Costa Rica, Peru, the Caribbean islands and beyond. Drink prices start at around ¥800, scaling upwards for premium selections. Note that there is a cover charge of ¥500 per person and the bar operates on a cash-only basis.
Established in 1977, Jazz Inn Uncle Tom is a cherished institution in Tokyo’s music scene. This café was initially opened by the current owner’s father and continues as a family-operated business where the owner and his mother personally serve patrons.
At Uncle Tom, coffee is a serious affair. Beans are carefully selected, hand-sorted before and after roasting, and roasted on-site using a hand grill. This timeconsuming process ensures that only two or three types of coffee beans, chosen for their freshness, are available each day.
The café is also home to an impressive
collection of over 3,000 jazz records, providing an authentic listening bar environment. The owner, deeply knowledgeable about jazz, carefully curates the music to reflect the mood of the day, creating a truly immersive experience as he does not entertain song requests. For those looking to pair their coffee with a bite to eat, the café offers freshly fried chocolate doughnuts, jam butter toast from Chet Bakery, homemade dry curry and handmade hamburgers. à 1-15-15 Taishido, Setagaya (Sangenjaya Station). jazzinnuncletom.wixsite.com/mysite. 03 3410 7903. 4pm-12midnight, closed Sun.
Satella
When the long-standing kissaten Aoyama Chakan closed its doors after 48 years on Aoyama-dori, a devoted regular seized the opportunity to reinvent the space. This café, which opened in 2020, underwent stylish renovations to attract a younger clientele while preserving the original brick walls and artisanal woodwork that narrate its rich history.
The café boasts coffee from Shinjuku’s All Seasons Coffee, featuring original blends and house-roasted beans. Each cup is patiently hand-dripped and available in dark, medium or light roast.
The medium roast is recommended for its clean taste, enriched with the subtle sweetness of toasty almonds.
Satella’s dedication to quality extends to the food offerings as well. The cream cheese pudding, popular for its silky smooth texture and moreish tartness, is a standout. Enhanced with a drizzle of condensed milk, this sophisticated kissaten pudding makes an excellent companion to the coffee.
These Tokyo-exclusive concept stores by the world’s coolest brands offer products and services you won’t find anywhere else. By Kaila Imada
Shu Uemura Tokyo Makeup Box
What makes shopping in Tokyo all the more memorable is the edgy retail architecture. One such store is that of home-grown cosmetics brand Shu Uemura, whose first global flagship beauty boutique occupies a giant jet-black makeup box in Omotesando.
The store offers an extensive range of cosmetics and skincare items as well as exclusive products that are only available at this location. These include limited-edition gold eyelash curlers, mini makeup boxes, tumblers, vanity cases, tote bags and pouches. Another highlight of the store is the personalised gift wrapping service, where you can get your items enveloped in red, black and white paper inspired by kimono and origami. Additionally, there’s a special service counter offering custom engraving.
Onitsuka Tiger Ginza Red Concept Store carries the brand’s full collection of sneakers and clothing. But what sets it apart from the brand’s other stores in Japan – aside from its striking red interior – is the inclusion of a coffee stand on the first floor as well as the debut of the world’s first Onitsuka Tiger Cafe 75 on the second floor. Here you get to enjoy fruit smoothies, kakigori and coffee brewed from Onitsuka Tiger’s very own house blend.
There’s more. This Tokyo-only concept store also has an entire floor in the basement dedicated to the brand’s most iconic model, the Mexico 66. The selection here covers more than 100 items and you get to check out some rare archival designs, too. Purchase any sneakers here and you can even customise your kicks with the store’s special embroidery service.
à 4-5-1 Ginza, Chuo (Ginza Station). 03 3528 6594. onitsukatiger.com. 11am-8pm daily (café closed Tue).
T-House New Balance
New Balance’s T-House can be found in a 122-year-old kura (traditional Japanese warehouse) from Kawagoe that was dismantled, reassembled in Nihonbashi and revamped by renowned architectural firm Schemata Architects. Fusing traditional elements with a modern design, the store is inspired by Japanese tea rooms (hence the name T-House) and offers visitors a serene browsing experience.
T-House exhibits the brand’s latest concepts and products from its Tokyo Design Studio as well as items to match the current season. If you’re on the hunt for something super rare, the store also stocks exclusive items that you can only get at T-House as well as collaboration products matching the store’s theme. Moreover, you’ll find art installations by Japanese artisans and emerging artists, curated to complement New Balance’s craftsmanship.
à 3-9-2 Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo (Suitengumae Station). 03 6231 1991. instagram.com/newbalance_t_house. 11am-2pm, 3pm-7pm, closed Wed & Thu.
Just for you
Personalisation makes for unique gifts, as you’ll find in these Tokyo craft shops offering all sorts of customisations.
By Kaila Imada
HYOZAEMON CHOPSTICKS
SPECIALTY SHOP
One of the most iconic Japanese products is the versatile chopsticks. At Hyozaemon, you can pick from a wide selection of beautiful eating utensils and have them engraved with your name or well wishes.
The engraving service is speedy and only takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can choose English or Japanese lettering in either gold or black. If you wish to engrave the same word on each chopstick, it costs just ¥500. For ¥800, you can engrave your name in English and Japanese.
The shop also offers many exclusive wooden boxes to present your chopsticks in as a gift.
JAPAN IS KNOWN FOR its amazing craftsmanship and immaculate attention to detail, so why settle for something generic and mass manufactured? In Tokyo you’ll find many shops that offer you the opportunity to put your own stamp – so to speak – on a wide variety
They come in a variety of designs including images of Mt Fuji, maneki neko lucky cats and even a special birthday edition. You’ll also find a selection of cute hashioki (chopstick rests), which make a great complement to your chopsticks.
Set in a traditional 90-year-old house, this charming little café is the perfect place to while away an afternoon crafting your own maneki neko, or lucky cat. As Nekoemon is also a café, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious assortment of cat-inspired snacks and desserts while you draw on your lucky kitty. Reservations can be made in advance online, and you can choose from two types of maneki neko: one raising its right paw, which is said to bring good luck, or another raising its left paw, which is for welcoming guests. The cats are available in small (¥2,750) or large (¥3,300) sizes.
Once you’re there, you’ll get to design your
of products, making them truly special. From personalised chopsticks to bespoke bracelets, we’ve scoured the city for some of the best customisable crafts and gifts. Here you’re sure to get one-ofa-kind items that are unique to you and your time in Tokyo.
maneki neko with an array of water-based colouring pens. If you need a bit of inspiration, just look at the café’s display of sample kitties. The workshop price includes a sweet treat plus coffee or tea for you to enjoy over this fun yet therapeutic activity.
The handkerchief is often overlooked as a useful yet stylish gift. H Tokyo specialises in small towels, handkerchiefs included, which are all made in Japan. What’s more, the store offers a customisation service that allows you to embroider letters, emblems and small icons on your little handy wipe.
The options here are endless, as there is a lovely selection of handkerchiefs to choose from, including simple solid-coloured cloths made from smart no-iron fabric, stylish pieces featuring images of Japan, and even designs by various artists.
Once you’ve picked a handkerchief, the embroidery takes about 30 minutes. You can include up to 15 letters for ¥550, while little
icons cost an additional ¥550 each. There are a number of different fonts to choose from, as well as over 30 thread colours. Once complete, handkerchiefs can be gift-wrapped into a cute
SHINIMONOGURUI
This tiny shop along the Yanaka Ginza shopping street is where you can create your own hanko or personalised seal. While hanko are commonly used to sign off documents and contracts in Japan, you can create quirky versions at this speciality shop to use for fun.
Shinimonogurui offers hanko stamps in four different sizes (from ¥2,600) and includes space for your name (in English or Japanese) as well as one of the cheeky designs, which there are over 500 to
box for ¥400. Otherwise it’s folded neatly into a paper square for you to take home.
choose from. Some of these fun images include classics such as a shiba inu, Mt Fuji and a bowl of ramen, while among the wacky doodles are a drunk bunny, a penguin holding a camera, and a snake preying on a mouse. You can have your stamp in one of five colours: red, black, orange, blue or green. This cheeky gift gets our stamp of approval.
à 3-11-15 Yanaka, Taito (Nippori, Sendagi stations). ito51.com. 03 6679 7264. Sat, Sun & hols 12noon-5pm.
HIIRAGI TOKYO
Located in charming Yanaka is Hiiragi, a jewellery shop that specialises in prayer beads and omamori (lucky amulet) bracelets. What’s special about these bracelets is that you can create your own custom design from an array of natural stones and wooden beads.
A basic set starts from ¥2,300 and includes the threading fee, a box and one of the special hand-carved busshi no kidama (Buddha sculptor’s wooden beads). From there, you can add on your choice of beads to make up a bracelet to fit your wrist.
You’ll want to take your time choosing as there are over 50 types of rare and natural stones including jade from Itoigawa, all of which have a different meaning or function. For instance, lavender-coloured amethyst beads are said to help relieve stress and promote calmness, while vibrant green and gold garnet beads supposedly aid in vitality and fortune. Additionally, there is a wide selection of Japanese-style beads such as wooden ones made from sakura trees.
à 5-4-1 Yanaka, Taito (Sendagi Station). hiiragi-tokyo.com.
03 5809 0013. 11am-4pm, closed Mon & Tue.
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Tokyo treasures
Forget the tourist tats and pick up these unique items that are either made in or inspired by Tokyo. By
Kaila Imada
Harajuku candle
Love exploring Harajuku?
Tokyo Icon cup
Arita porcelain specialist Kihara Tokyo has created a stylish Tokyo Icon series which includes plates, fridge magnets and this sleek cup. The Tokyo-inspired collection features 69 illustrations that convey the charms of our beloved city, including landmarks such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Tokyo Skytree, Hachiko and the now-gone Odaiba Ferris wheel, all printed on the cup exterior.
Chopstick rests (hashioki) are useful little trinkets you can collect in a variety of designs. These cool ones from home and lifestyle store
Nakagawa Masashichi are designed after five iconic bridges in Tokyo: the Rainbow Bridge, Nihonbashi Bridge, Azuma-bashi, Eitai-bashi and Kachidoki-bashi.
This scented candle will transport you back to the streets of Tokyo’s capital of youth and kawaii culture. RetaW’s Harajuku-inspired candle blends hinoki, cherry blossoms and yuzu with base notes of amber and musk to give you a unique scent evocative of one of Tokyo’s most famous ’hoods. ¥7,370 à RetaW, 4-28-12 Jingumae, Shibuya (Harajuku, Meiji-jingumae stations). retaw.tokyo.
Kimono sneakers
Combining Japan’s passion for upcycling and sneakers, Tokyo Kimono Shoes gives unused kimono and obi (kimono sashes) a second life by transforming the luxurious fabric into gorgeous kicks. What’s special about them is that no two pairs are alike, as the handmade shoes feature unique patterns cut from different kimono and obi. ¥44,000
à Tokyo Kimono Shoes, 2-11-9 Hanakawado, Taito (Asakusa Station). tokyokimonoshoes.com.
¥4,400 for a set of five à Nakagawa Masashichi, Kitte 4F, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda (Tokyo Station). nakagawa-masashichi.jp.
Wooden Hachiko bento boxes
Odate mage-wappa is a speciality bentwood craft unique to Akita prefecture, commonly used to construct beautiful, lightweight containers like bento lunchboxes. Made from cedar, these boxes can absorb excess moisture to help keep your food longer. The gorgeous double-layer bento, made in collaboration with Shibuya’s Hachifull store, is dedicated to Hachiko, the undisputed Tokyo celebrity and best friend. ¥11,550
