I used to drag everyone who came to visit me to Ito-ya, the legendary 9-floor stationery shop in Ginza. But when they renovated and got rid of 90% of their merchandise, turning it into an over-designed boutique selling expensive stuff nobody needs, I had to fill the aching hole in my heart with a new love:

Shimojima!

Unlike Ito-ya, Shimojima hasn’t been discovered by a single tourist yet, and its astoundingly varied stock of only-in-Japan stationery items, odd gifts, and everything paper & packaging are still sold on eight floors of unimproved, slightly scruffy splendor. It’s only half a block from the train station in the undiscovered neighborhood of Asakusa-bashi, which also happens to be home to traditional Japanese doll emporiums and various outposts of craft supply heaven.

(And please don’t tell the tour guides, but everything they sell at Shimojima is still a total bargain!)

Here’s what’s generally on each floor, but keep in mind that the merchandise changes seasonally, so they might not have the exact things in the pictures when you go. I can guarantee, though, they’ll have stuff that’s just a good, or better! Going to Shimojima is always a treasure hunt.

1

GROUND FLOOR

Seasonal decorations • Snacks & drinks • Store display goods • Artificial flowers

This is the least-exciting floor, unless you’re after really specific seasonal goods like Halloween costumes, Christmas lights and New Years decorations, or in dire need of a snack.

What’s in my shopping basket?

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2

2nd FLOOR: Paper of all kinds & party favors/supplies

Origami paper • Traditional patterned washi paper • Miniature DIY fake food craft kits • Decorative masking tape • Party supplies • Calligraphy brushes and supplies • Character lunchbags

What’s in my shopping basket?

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3

3rd FLOOR: Stationery supplies

Cute character stickers • Adorable post-it notes • Stickers • Pens • Paperclips and other stationery supplies • Notebooks • Photo books

What’s in my shopping basket?

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4

4th FLOOR: Store signage & office supplies

Food & beer banners • Paper lanterns • Japanese seasonal printed washi paper placemats • Printer paper & labels • Office supplies • Envelopes of all sizes • Chalkboards and whiteboards

What’s in my shopping basket?

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5

5th FLOOR: Food packaging & kitchen gadgets

Novelty goods like color-changing baby bottles and drink bottles • Food packaging: wraps, boxes, bags and tins • Cake and cupcake boxes • Disposable chopsticks • Confectionary supplies & equipment • Cleaning supplies

What’s in my shopping basket?

Could not resist the color-changing baby bottle, even though I don’t even know anyone who needs one of these WHY

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6

6th FLOOR: Gift bags, shopping bags & packaging bags

Gift bags • Shopping bags • Cellophane bags

What’s in my shopping basket?

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7

7th FLOOR

Gift wrap • Ribbon & ties • Tissue paper • Money envelopes

What’s in my shopping basket?

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8

8th FLOOR

Cute animal gift boxes • Cardboard shipping boxes & tubes • Packing materials

What’s in my shopping basket?

It was super hard for me to edit this down to a few items per floor – Shimojima isn’t fancy, but it’s so chock full of stuff that you didn’t know you needed, I guarantee you won’t walk out of there empty-handed! And if you need any more temptation, click over to the Asakusa-bashi page for a couple more reasons not to go straight back to the train station…

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had