Shinjuku’s top craft shops

‘Handmade’ is the key word at the heart of the most recent trend for not only young women, but men alike. In the face of the recent economy, people are eating out less often and instead are cooking at home (or uchigohan in Japanese), creating gardens on verandas, making their own organic soap, and even hand crafting their own accessories, bags and scarves.

Also catching the attention of the handicraft scene are ‘handicraft cafes’, as well as magazines with articles featuring what’s hot in the world of handmade. November 1, 2009 saw the opening of a new branch of Yuzawaya handicraft supply shops, this time located in Takashimaya Time Square – a place where the already well-entrenched Okadaya craft store already exists.

With the addition of the Yuzawaya store, which boasts prime floor space that might worry even some of Tokyo’s largest retailers, Shinjuku has suddenly become the top spot for handicraft shopping. Other craft stores already open in Shinjuku include the accessory parts shop, Kiwa Products— making Shinjuku somewhere you could easily spend a whole day simply window shopping for craft supplies.

For many, time spent making something by hand is time spent relaxing, and making that one-of-a-kind accessory or object is something that provides a particularly enjoyable sense having done something worthwhile. If you haven’t started already, instead of simply buying a present for that special someone this holiday season, consider visiting some of the shops below to get crafty with your holiday gifts.

Yuzawaya Shinjuku

Already popular with craft fans, Yuzawaya just opened their twentieth store, this time located in Shinjuku. Assembling on one giant floor everything from clothing fabrics, embroidery items, miscellaneous accessories, sewing machines, wool and other handicraft supplies, to painting, calligraphy and stationery it’s sure to have what you need. Joining the store’s ‘Yuzawaya-tomo-no-kai’ member’s scheme, for a ¥500 fee (valid for one year), gets you a discount of 10% or more— depending on how much you spend.

Address: Takashimaya Times Square 11th floor, Sendagaya 5-24-2, Shibuya-ku

Telephone: (03)5367 4141

Open: 10am – 8pm (Sat until 8:30pm), closed Jan 1 and selected days. Check website for details.

Website: www.yuzawaya.co.jp/

Okadaya Shinjuku

Close to the entrance to Kabukicho, and next to the Shinjuku landmark Studio ALTA sits the Okadaya flagship store. This handicraft heaven is divided into two spaces located across from one another. One store specialises in clothing accessories and the other in fabrics. The eight-storey accessories outlet stocks everything from buttons, wool, lace, beads and rhinestone, to cosmetics, wigs and lingerie. The fabrics outlet stocks cottons, formal fabrics, linings, traditional Japanese materials and a range of other specialist textiles. With such an elaborate array of products, Okadaya is a favourite with students from the nearby fashion design schools, and attracts even top designers to its aisles.

Address: Shinjuku 3-23-17, Shinjuku-ku

Telephone: (03)3352 5411

Open: 10am – 8:30pm, check website for monthly store holidays

Website: www.okadaya.co.jp/

ABC-Craft Shinjuku

Osaka-based ABC-Craft opened in Shinjuku under the concept of creating a ‘handicraft supply theme park’. In addition to stocking items including fabrics, patchworks, buttons, ribbons, beads, accessories, materials for making miniatures, art supplies and more, the store also provides workshops within its lecture space that even the complete beginner can attend. For information regarding these lectures and events check the website or phone the store directly.

Address: Alcott Shinjuku Mitsukoshi 3rd floor, Shinjuku 3-29-1, Shinjuku-ku

Telephone: (03)5919 1511

Open: Daily 11am – 9pm

Website: www.abc-craft.co.jp/

Kiwa Products Shinjuku

Kiwa Products specialises in accessory parts, and is tremendously popular with those looking to spice up their wardrobe in a unique way. The Shinjuku branch entrance is decorated with glittering-crystal vegetables, fruits and flowers in a ‘garden kitchen’ theme. Displays are well thought out, making items easy to find. Adding to the store’s convenience, it’s open until 10pm, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to pinpoint what you’re looking for, even when you stop by on your way home after work.

Address: Shinjuku Lumine 25th floor, Shinjuku 3-38-2, Shinjuku-ku

Telephone: (03)3347 1150

Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm

Website: www.kiwa-inc.co.jp/

Grain Plaire Shinjuku

A sister shop to the accessory specialist shop Parts Club, this store has a vast stock of natural stones, glass beads, metal fasteners, trinkets and more. The store also carries a wealth of Disney accessories, making it especially popular with younger shoppers. Handicraft kits that come with assembly instructions are also available, perfect for a neophyte crafter. Conveniently located next to Shinjuku station, the store can easily be reached via either JR lines or the Odakyu line.

Address: Shinjuku My Lord Mall 2nd floor, Shinjuku 1-1-3, Shinjuku-ku

Telephone: (03)3349 5782

Open: Daily 10am – 9pm

Website: www.partsclub.jp/

Tokyu Hands Shinjuku

This multi-floored, jumbo-sized ‘everything’ store is located inside Takashimaya Time Square. Products lean towards the DIY and hobby categories, but there is also a wide array of general items on offer. Although handicraft enthusiasts aren’t specifically catered to, the store does have an interesting section devoted to leather-crafting items, and a myriad of tools that might be of use to crafters.

Address: Takashimaya Times Square 2nd to 8th floors, Sendagaya 5-24-2, Shibuya-ku

Telephone: (03)5361 3111

Open: Daily 10am – 8:30pm

Website: shinjuku.tokyu-hands.co.jp/