Ancient Japanese woodworking skills turn tech into a thing of beauty!
Each shop is filled with cool new stuff made with age-old methods, and is run by an artist. They all use traditional Japanese techniques to make very untraditional designs, and some shops have a workshop in back, where you can see the resident artists crafting their wares. The stuff you find here is often one-of-a-kind, and can’t be bought anywhere else, but the prices are surprisingly reasonable.
This leather goods shop sells wonderful regular purses as well as one that look like telephones and slices of watermelon.
The artist who runs this hat shop uses traditional felting techniques to get unusual colors, patterns and textures.
This wood store carries everything from meticulously crafted gun models to diabolical puzzles.
You can order a custom-made umbrella from this shop, in many sizes, colors and patterns.
It’s hard to believe that this airy arcade was once the grimy underside of the Yamanote Line tracks!
Looking for a book that will whisk you away to Japan, no matter where you are?
Transport yourself to 1790s Japan, and meet the samurai lord who would do anything to hide his crime, the poor man who would do anything to be rich, and the queen of the pleasure quarter would do anything to escape her gilded cage…
“The Samurai’s Octopus is a truly remarkable book, one that surprised and charmed me at every turn of the page…an enchanting, fascinating journey. You’re in for a treat.” —James Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 