A Stationery Lover’s Guide to Japan: Top 10 Shops, Special Events & More!
- Lourdes
- 21 hours ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Japanese stationery is known all over the world for its quality and the huge variety of designs. Whether you’re looking for traditional Japanese items or want the trendiest innovations, the amount of things you can find is unlimited!
As an illustrator, I'm fascinated by notebooks, washi tape, stamps and stickers with beautiful designs, and I'm always on the hunt for the most unique goods to fill my travel notebooks with.
Since I came to Japan 2 years ago, I have discovered so many amazing shops, artists and brands, and I have become even more passionate about this hobby. I am always adding stores and events to my list, and I’m here to share all of my favorite spots and tips with you.
Let’s explore Japan’s stationary hidden gems together!
My top 10 shop recommendations
Japan is full of shops where you can find a huge variety of stationery. My recommendations are mainly in Tokyo, but you can find many of these shops in other areas in Japan. Check out our Instagram reel where we visit some of these amazing spots!
Traveler’s Factory - A Vintage Take to Travel Stationery
With 3 stores in Tokyo and one in Kyoto, Traveler's Factory offers amazing items for journaling, travel notebooks for ink stamps and much more. If you like the vintage, leather aesthetic you will especially love this place, they have a huge selection of notebook covers and paper refills that you can combine however you like, and they also have a special corner where you can use a huge variety of ink stamps for free, featuring designs from areas all around Japan.
Originally a paper processing factory, their Nakameguro store also has a cozy cafe upstairs where you can relax and journal next to a nice drink. Their prices are a bit on the higher end, but it is well worth it for the quality they offer. Don’t forget to check out the special edition notebooks and stamps that they sell depending on the store location!
Traveler's Factory Tokyo Main Store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6AfUNfVYZR8jLni3A
The Nakameguro Traveler's Factory is the perfect spot for vintage stationery, and stamps!. | Photos by Lourdes Morales
Rainbowholic - From YouTube Journaling Videos to a Little Shop in Tokyo
A paradise for journaling and stamp collection lovers. This cute stationery shop was founded by Kaila, a popular YouTube creator with a passion for stationery, and it's all about cute creative products and sharing the Japanese kawaii culture with the world. They support lots of local artists and have the cutest selection of stationery, featuring original designs and exclusive artist collaborations.
I especially love their stamp-related items, they sell their own original stamp book and even have lots of stamps in-store that you can use for free! It also has a cafe where you can spend some hours journaling, and a great selection of tea for sale!
Rainbowholic shop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/euygutde2KPG7nPd7
Looking for cute and exclusive artist collaborations? This is your place! | Photo by Peter Mazur
Kakimori - The Most Unique Stationery Experience
Would you like to personalize your own Japanese notebook from scratch? Here you can! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, and they will help you create your own notebook in very easy steps. Their paper offer is specially amazing, you can choose different weights, colors and textures depending on what you want to use them for, and mix up different paper types in the same notebook. Also, when you use up all your pages, you can bring it back to the shop and they will refill it!
They even have a service with which you can create your own personalized ink, and an amazing selection of all other kinds stationery goods. Definitely one of my favorite spots and a hidden gem to add to your Tokyo stationery must-visits! They also offer international shipping if you’re not in Japan.
Kakimori Tokyo shop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JrVMH8MKzLU3Pt2i7
Official shop: https://kakimori.com
Take home your own personalized Japanese notebook! | Photo by Peter Mazur
Itoya - The Biggest Stationery Paradise
With 12 floors full of stationery, Itoya's Ginza flagship store has everything you could possibly dream of. From affordable everyday stationery to the highest quality luxury products, a pen engraving service, and even a cafe at the top floor. If you only have time to visit one spot, this is the place! I never come out of this store empty-handed, a blessing for my stationery collection but a curse for my wallet.
It also has smaller branches all around Japan, so you will have access to it almost anywhere you are!
Itoya Tokyo Flagship store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wFnbwRxQHwpvafD19
Get ready for 12 floors of stationery heaven in Tokyo! | Photos by Peter Mazur
Cute Things from Japan - A Small Stationery Hidden Gem
A little store tucked away in a quiet Tokyo neighborhood, founded by a Japanese mom and her sister who dreamed of having their own cute stationery shop. They focus a lot on supporting local artists and they have a very big selection of unique and exclusive items. Driven by the wish to help stationary lovers all over the world, they also have an online shop that ships internationally, and they even host workshops and special events regularly.
Since this is a small family business, please keep an eye on their opening days if you’re visiting their shop, as it can vary depending on events and personal schedules.
Cute Things from Japan Tokyo shop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RDhFEVkqfTm9EFJ66
Tokiiro - A Cute Little Shop for Retro Vibes
A small and retro-inspired stationery shop tucked in Omotesando’s backstreets, where you can find anything from washi tape, notebooks, custom pens and even tableware.
Their highlight is their custom watches! You can choose your favorite watch face and bands and build a unique one in minutes, there are thousands of combinations possible. And if you want to take home a unique piece of retro Japanese glassware, be sure to check out their Aderia Retro collection, with nostalgic glasses and other tableware inspired in Japan’s Showa era.
Tokiiro shop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iLjAi5sWJiavFKbu8
Shinimonogurui - Personalized Stamps with The Most Fun Designs
A shop specialized in ink stamps where you can get your own personalized stamp in about 30 minutes. Just choose from their huge variety of designs, and add the text you want in hiragana, katakana, kanji or English alphabet.
Their shop located in Nippori is only open during the weekends, but they offer a delivery service anywhere in Japan, so you can even have your stamp delivered to your Airbnb or hotel if you don’t have enough time to visit their shop! They also sell t-shirts with funny messages featuring their unique cat illustrations.
Shinimonogurui Tokyo shop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNELF2BmaRLm2KP18
Official website: https://www.ito51.com
Loft and Hands - The Ultimate Gift Stores in Japan
My favorite big stationery shops in Tokyo to buy all kinds of notebooks, pens, stamps, merchandise, DIY items and cute gifts. Also, you can find other products, like skincare, kitchenware, cameras and even food and plants, so it is not only for stationery lovers.
Their flagship stores in Shibuya have a huge selection of items, and there are also smaller branches all around Japan. Don’t hesitate to visit them if you’re looking for some unique souvenirs and gifts to take home!
Loft Tokyo Flagship store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7v5QxYsiAHjwunak6
Hands Tokyo Flagship Store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EAideoF173nJKM7K6
100yen Shops - Cute Stationery for All Pockets
If you’re looking to save a bit of money while still getting cute items, the 100 yen shops in Japan are amazing options. Daiso, Can Do and Seria are my go-to places to find all kinds of notebooks, sticky notes, erasers, cards, cute pens and much more, for just 100 yen per item!
You will not find the variety or the quality that the other big stationery shop stores offer, but you will find amazing options to add to your stationery collection, and you will come across these shops almost anywhere in Japan!
Pop-Up and Character Stores - Discover The Japanese Kawaii Culture
If you like Pokemon, Ghibli, Sanrio, Chiikawa, Mofusand and other Japanese characters, places like Tokyo Station’s Character Street or Kiddy Land are your go-to spots to find lots of stationery items from all your favorite cute characters.
One of my favorite permanent shops is the Suica cafe and shop at Ueno station and the Suica shop in Omiya station , where they sell a huge selection of goods from the cute penguin mascot of JR East Railway company.
Character Street in Tokyo Station: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2vbydxt53fRrKHwF9
Kiddy Land Omotesando: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TCCtwnspDYjShzPN7
Suica Cafe Ueno: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ok77GKsuMVpnrexq7
Japan has the cutest characters and mascots everywhere, even for train lines! | Photos by Lourdes Morales
*Extra recommendation: Bungu Joshi - The Main Stationery Festival in Japan
Wanting to go beyond usual shops? If you want to visit special stationery events to find even more goods for your collection and learn about the latest releases before anyone else, make sure to keep an eye on the biggest stationery fair in Japan.
Happening in Tokyo and Osaka every year, Bungu Joshi brings together many different artists and brands selling their stationery items, with special new releases, contests and even free gifts for the visitors!
The next edition will be held from December 18th 2025 (Thursday) - December 21st 2025 (Sunday) 10:00 to 17:00, at Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall C・D. You can get your tickets here from October 18th, secure yours as soon as possible!
Official website: https://bungujoshi.com
Bungu Joshi is the best opportunity to get unique stationery and talk to the coolest artists! | Photos by Lourdes Morales
Tips for Stationery Lovers Visiting Japan
Plan your route: Many shops are clustered in Tokyo neighborhoods like Ginza and Shibuya.
Mix big & small shops: Big stores like Loft, Itoya, and Hands are great for variety and souvenirs; small shops like Rainbowholic or Cute Things from Japan offer unique finds and local artist collaborations.
Watch for seasonal items: Pop-ups, collaborations, and small stores often have limited edition designs.
Take your time: Some shops have cafés, perfect for journaling and resting during your stationery hunt!
5. Check online: Many shops offer international shipping if you can’t bring everything home.
Not Sure What to Buy? Check Out The Latest Stationery Awards
You’re now ready for your stationery adventure in Japan! But with the huge amount of options... are you not sure what to get? Check the yearly stationary awards to see what's trending in Japan, and take home the coolest items!
Your Stationery Adventure Begins Here!
This is just a small look at my personal favorites inside the huge world of stationery in Japan, you can discover amazing items and designs almost everywhere you look for! Make sure to take a look at these spots when you visit Japan, create journals full of memories and surprise your family and friends with the most unique gifts from your trip.
In relation to stationery, I also wrote a whole blog about stamps in Japan, if you want to learn more about this hobby make sure to check it out!
Would you like to discover these unique spots and much more with a local to guide you around? Check out our TOMOGO! stationery tour and make the most of your adventure in Japan! And if you have any favorite spots I haven’t mentioned, I would love to hear about them.
Let’s share the amazing world of Japanese stationery!
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