10 Gift & Specialty Shops in Ueno, Asakusa That You Shouldn't Miss

May 21, 2021 Matilde Konrad

Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Tsukiji Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.
Restaurants in Tokyo

1. Mokuhankan

1-41-8 Taito-ku, Tokyo, Asakusa, Taito 111-0032 Tokyo Prefecture +81 70-5011-1418 [email protected] http://mokuhankan.com/index.html
Excellent
98%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 109 reviews

Mokuhankan

Mokuhankan is a traditional woodblock print shop located in the famous district of Asakusa in Tokyo. You can find newly published prints as well as a wide selection of antique offerings. (We are currently closed due to the pandemic, and will reopen when general tourism returns to Japan.)

Reviewed By Settingthisupsucks

Last year, my wife and I stumbled on this shop. Loved it. Purchased a few prints, and enjoyed talking prints with Dave. So we came back a year later, and had an even more amazing visit. Dave even gave us a tour and took us upstairs where the magic happens, and it was so cool to watch his printers making wonderful works of art. Even had the please of meeting Ayumi San (I love her ghost prints). And between visits, I browse the website and add even more prints to my collection. My wife and I spend a month or so in Japan each year, and making my pilgrimage to Mokuhankan will definitely be a mandatory trip.

2. Wanariya

1-8-10 Senzoku Kurosawa Bldg 1F, Taito 111-0031 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-5603-9169 [email protected] http://wanariya.co.jp/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Wanariya

Traditional Japanese dyeing and weaving experiences and products. Handkerchief, Japanese towel, Stoles, Bags, Shirts, Sweats,etc.

Reviewed By fionat961 - Brisbane, Australia

We recently spent 2 weeks in Japan - some time skiing in Nozawa Onsen, and then 3 days in Tokyo at the end of our trip. It was my third visit to Tokyo and I had always wanted to learn a bit more about shibori and dyeing. Spending some time at the Wanariya studio, learning about indigo and airzone dyeing, and then having some hands on experience was amazing. It takes about 90 minutes all up so not an all day activity. You choose what you would like to dye, learn about the techniques and then get hands on. You have to e mail and book a time beforehand - no problem doing this in English. The dyeing is apparently run at both the studio and the shop (2 different locations) - we went to the studio which was a 15 minute walk from a subway stop. They sent us clear instructions and suggested getting a taxi from the station but it's an easy walk and with google maps it is hard to get lost these days. The dyeing and merchandise is not expensive and our group of three was delighted with our respective treasures.

3. Oita Onsenza

2-6-7 Marugoto Nippon 2F, Asakusa, Taito 111-0032 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3847-2822 [email protected] http://www.saravio.jp/onsenza/
Excellent
86%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 35 reviews

Oita Onsenza

ONSENZA is the hot spring amusement shop which can sense "hot springs more than a hot spring" bodily. Excellent hot water "Beppu Onsen" proud of the number of hot springs kinds of world 1. ONSENZA is the shop of "the hot spring alga research institute" which studied "Beppu Onsen" for many years. you can enjoy "the footbathing" that is Japanese culture. The footbathing is free. you can taste a hot spring feeling while being in the tokyo area in "a footbath" using algae "RG92" (the patent acquisition) of the hot spring which is one of the sources of the hot spring effect. health & beauty items derived from the hot spring including the original cosmetics which combined hot spring good man bacteria.

4. Photo & Culture Studio Wasabi

6-2-3 Higashiueno 5f, Taito 110-0015 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-5830-7370 [email protected] http://studio-wasabi.jp/en
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Photo & Culture Studio Wasabi

Through this excursion, you will find another deep perspective on Tokyo that you never know. This plan offers you unique exploration, experience and some workshops. Tokyo Downtown will be the main area (Akihabara, Kuramae, Ryogku etc).

5. Rental Kimono Sakura

2-3-11 Hanakawado Inca Bldg. 5F, Taito 111-0033 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3843-3663 [email protected] http://kimonosakura.tokyo
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Rental Kimono Sakura

Three years as a crew on the Peace Boat around the world. Two years as a tour attendant travelling all across Japan. I met people of different culture and tongue all across the globe. Trying on the ethnic garb of the land I was exhilerated by the experience. I thought maybe I could return the same experience to travellers coming to Japan. That's when I opened shop here in Asakusa.

6. inkstand by kakimori

4-20-12 Kuramae Kuramae Bldg. 1F, Taito 111-0051 Tokyo Prefecture +81 50-1744-8547 [email protected] http://inkstand.jp/
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

inkstand by kakimori

Make your color, Meet your color Have you ever wondered why we have to choose from a limited number of pen colors, even though the world is full of color?. Inkstand is built on the idea that everyone should have a color that truly represents them. Ink samples are prepared drop by drop, allowing you to mix your way towards the color that matches your mood perfectly.. With each drop, your personal ink adds to the joy of writing and expressing yourself on paper.. At Inkstand, we hope to share the enjoyment that comes from bringing a sense of color into your daily life.

7. Unique Kimono So-an

2-27-8, Nezu, Bunkyo 113-0031 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-5842-1568 [email protected] http://kimono-so-an.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Unique Kimono So-an

8. Kama-Asa Shoten

2-24-1 Matsugaya, Taito 111-0036 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3841-9355 http://www.kama-asa.co.jp
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Kama-Asa Shoten

Many foreigners are buying Japanese kitchen knives during their visits. This shop offers good quality knives with great value and English-speaking service

Reviewed By AsianBuddhaFlower

I had planned on getting a meat knife for cutting steaks as priority, and maybe an all-rounder Santoku. But I walked out of Kama Asa with 3 knives! I went to Tsubaya first but found it hard to communicate, and there was little guidance on how to choose. So I trekked to Kama Asa, hoping for a better experience. And I was wowed! Kama Asa has a foreigner (French guy who speaks fluent Japanese and English) on its team. Upon entering, I was quick to talk to him to get help. He was detailed and meticulous in guiding me to start my selection process. I explained what kind of knives i am looking for and for what purpose. For each type, he took out 'western' knives and Japanese ones. And for the Japanese ones, he also took out 3 knives of different steel. I quickly weeded out the western ones as I already have too many of those. For the Japanese ones, he explained the differences in strength, hardness, maintenance, etc for each. Once I have decided on which one to explore further, he zoomed in on that particular series, and showed me what types and lengths he had, and explained what each ones are good for. He also talked about how to use the knives, how to take care of them, make paper sheaths, how to sharpen them and what to do with rust. At the end of it all, I bought 3 knives, a whetstone (he showed us 3 types of stones, explained what each is good for), rust eraser (also showed me 3 types and explained each in detail). He as also detailed in explaining the cost, amount of discount if I pay in card or cash (go with card, more discount), the amount I will recoup at a Tax-back place 150m down the road, etc. And I also got my name carved into the knives for free! All in all, it was a great experience, and I will definitely engage him to help the next time! He is knowledgeable, passionate, detailed, most willing to share, and always giving the good and bad on everything. Kama Asa is lucky to have him on the team.

9. Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin

4-25-10 Taito, Taito 110-0016 Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3832-0227 http://www.sam.hi-ho.ne.jp/maruyosi/
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin

10. Amezaiku Yoshihara

1-23-5 Tomoe Bldg 1F, Sendagi, Bunkyo 113-0022 Tokyo Prefecture http://ame-yoshihara.com/index.html
Excellent
47%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Amezaiku Yoshihara

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