Nippori Textile Town is a haven for designers and crafters! The shops here stock different kinds of fabrics and fabric related items beyond imagination. A lesser known part of this shopping spot is that they sell really cheap clothings - the cheapest top I saw was 290 Yen = S$4.50 and it can be found in this shop.
Most of the shops along textile town sell cloth, and the most popular shop is Tomato a fabric and accessories mega mart. There are a couple of specialized shops which differ from the norm and here are some of them:
1) Select Shop-Mix: http://www.selectshop-mix.com/
Mr Toshiyuki Shimoda is an owner of a ball python farm and has about 70 snakes. He uses their skin to make leather goods, such as wallets, journals and even tissue paper pocket holders and markets it under the name of Bp. Supply Japan. He has a huge collection of exotic fabrics – ostrich, frog, seal, shark etc. In addition he sells glass figurings from Chiba, leather soft toys & silver pieces from Tokyo & bags. But the favourite souvenir piece among foreigners is still the craft parts which can be made into a key chain.
Select Shop-Mix
http://www.selectshop-mix.com/
Address: 〒１１６－００１４
東京都荒川区東日暮里５－２４－１０ メゾン小林２０１
Opening Hours: 11:00AM - 6:00PM
Closed on Sundays
It is beside Pop Girl number 45 on the “Sen-I Gai” Map
2) Tansuya caught my fancy, as the shop sells second hand kimonos for just 1050 yen, which is almost the same price as what you will pay for a kimono in the flea markets around Japan. I was not eyeing the kimonos, but the Obijime which is a thin piece of rope that is tied on top of the Obisash. I like using it as an alternative to a sash or belt. Perhaps you can consider doing so too.
Click here to learn how tie an Obijime
Tansu-Ya（たんす屋 (Kimono Shop)
http://tansuya.jp/sh_toho.html
Address: 〒１１６－００１４
東京都荒川区東日暮里５－32－1 コ一ポオギノ 1F
Tel:0120-529-829
* Down the road from Select Shop Mix
3) L. musee LTD(Bead and Button Shop)
The Unique Buttons in the candy jars are a pretty sight. Even if you have no talent in sewing & crafting, you will be extremely tempted to buy them for someone you know. But trust me you will have difficulty choosing what to buy because the buttons come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Ms Kei Honma the owner mentioned that buttons made of traditional wood are a hit among the foreigners, so hopefully this will make your selection easier :) All the buttons are imported from Europe, Italy and France. She also sells her own jewellery line and imports buckles too.
L . muse LTD (Bead and Button Shop)
http://www.l-musee.com/
Address:
東京都荒川区東日暮里５－34－1 Tel:03-5858-6722
Opening Hours: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Closed on Sundays
Getting to the Textile Town from Nippori Station
At the Station, exit from the South Exit, and head towards the cross roads of Ogubashi-Dori and Nippori Chuo- Dori. After crossing the Momiji Hashi (もみじはし) which means maple leaves bridge you will see this arch.
On the ground, you will spot this sign. Cross the zebra crossing, turn left and follow the road.
When you see this sign you will know you are at Textile Town. Have a wonderful time exploring Nippori Chuo Dori.
You may like to pick up this map at the station.
Select Shop-Mix and Tansu-Ya is near number 45 and L . muse LTD is at number 30
No comments:
Post a Comment