I was in Japan for a week recently. I had a family event to attend for the first two days. I was exploring alone in Tokyo the rest of the time. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I do a lenghthy trip recap on my stories. I usually like that it goes away in 24 hours. I’m not a travel influencer. I’m not good at giving directions. So thank you for encouraging me to keep things a bit more permanent here. Here’s a list of places I went and loved (google map list at the end of the post ;) )
Lilliput
Jinbocho, Tokyo
Lilliput is a bar that opens after the chilren’s book store Book House Cafe closes. There’s five seats at the bar counter area but you can also sit in the bookstore’s cafe area. I got children’s books recommendations from the owner. She said she even does read alouds. Yes, all to adults because it’s a bar and kids aren’t allowed. When I went there was a lot of editors. Some were there to vent to the owner. Some were celebrating their milestones. You are also allowed to browse and buy the books at the bookstore area. The shop was dimly lit so I felt like a little mouse sneaking into a closed shop.
Space Utility Tokyo
Nakameguro, Tokyo
This is an art store that specializes in zines. I’ve always wanted to make zines so I had to stop by. Illustrations, photography, poems, short stories and everything in between. It was a store full of self expression. I was surprised to see zines from outside Japan too. My favorite was a zine documenting cafe straw wrappers. I should have bought that.. I did get some cool horse themed (because 2026 is the year of the horse) calendar.
Village Vanguard
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Village Vanguard exists everywhere in Japan. But the one in Shimokitazawa feels special because sometimes artists display their original art. When I visited a famous comic artist’s work was on display.
I go to Village Vanguard because it’s easier to find manga books I like. This trip I bought mangs like Ping Pong by Taiyo Matsumoto. This manga was published many years ago but still so loved. The store also has the most random goods. They are also known for staff’s hand drawn descriptions of the items. I always try not to laugh out loud.
Itoya
Ginza, Tokyo
If you like stationary and art supplies, go here. My sister recommended this place and I was transported to another dimension. Each floor has a theme (see photo below). My best buy was gouache paints and POSCA colors. Both were either sold out or hard to find in USA so I’m glad I got to see the colors in person and buy them. They also had unique stamps, stickers, letterset, postcards and more. The smaller building next to it is for kids, probably mainly for elementary school age range.
Design Festa Gallery Harajyuku
Ura Harajyuku, Tokyo
Design Festa is a huge art event in Tokyo. They also have a gallery at the back side of Harajyuku. Each artist would rent a room and fill it with their artwork. I always like to stop to see what Japanese indie artists are thinking and expressing. I’ve met some of the artists in the past and it was lovely talking to them about Japan’s art scene. The building also has a cafe and a store so I hope you stop by.
Traveler’s Factory
Nakameguro, Tokyo
Traveler’s Factory has multple locations in Japan. The brand offers customizable traveler’s notebook. You pick the leather outside, charms to go with it, and all kiinds of inserts. Sticker paper, watercolor paper, dotted and lined papers, papers with pockets etc. Once you buy the set, you can stamp the book. A lot of the papers I wanted was sold out. So I hope to visit again.
Studio So-Ta Base
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
I learned about this place from Barnard Vlog youtube. He documents everything Sofubi and art toy scene in Japan. I’ve been a fan of art toys for many years. But I haven’t seen one artist opening his own art toy shop before. So I was super excited to visit. It was so inspiring seeing his success. It convinced me more to keep believing in mysel and keep creating things I love. I hope to go to his events in the future.
I hope this made you want to explore Tokyo too. The beauty of travelling alone is that I get to decide everything. My favorite thing is to research on google maps before the trip. But also wander around once I get there. I hope this google maps list inspires you to get curious.
That’s it for this month’s post. Thank you so much for reading. See you next month <3
Always love, Shiho