Tokyo Arts, Crafts And Souvenirs. While most department stores have a fair selection of arts and crafts , it's more enjoyable to rummage around Tokyo's specialist shops. Asakusa offers the largest concentration of traditional crafts among all its touristy souvenirs, as well as the most attractive environment. A few gems from the Edo era still survive in the thick of Ginza and Nihombashi, while, if money is no object, arcades in the big hotels, such as the Imperial, Okura and New Otani , provide luxury gifts from Mikimoto pearls to Arita porcelain. Below are a few suggestions of the more interesting places to head for; the listings indicate the nearest subway or JR station.
Bengara , 2-35-11 Asakusa. This shop to the west of Senso-ji is the place to look for noren , the split curtain hanging outside every traditional shop or restaurant. There's a whole range of patterns, sizes and prices, or you can order your own design. Closed Thurs. Asakusa Station.
Beniya , 2-6-8 Shibuya. Broad range of folk-crafts ( mingei ) from around the country, on four floors. Closed Thurs. Shibuya Station.
Bingoya , 10-16 Wakamatsucho. Prices aren't cheap, but this is Tokyo's best mingei shop, located northeast of Shinjuku. Closed Mon. Akebonobashi Station.
Fuji-Torii , 6-1-10 Jingumae. Omotesando shop specializing in ukiyo-e , other works of art and antiques. Closed Tues and third Mon of the month. Meiji-jingumae Station.
Fujiya , 2-2-15 Asakusa. Hand-printed cotton towels, tenugui , make a packable souvenir, and you won't find a better selection than this. Some Fujiya towels are now collectors' items. Closed Thurs. Asakusa Station.
Ito-ya , 2-7-15 Ginza. This wonderful stationery store, with nine floors and two annexes, is great for a whole range of packable souvenirs. Ito-ya 3 specializes in traditional washi paper, calligraphy brushes, inks and so on. Also in Shibuya and Ikebukuro. Ginza Station.
Kurodaya , 1-2-5 Asakusa. For over one hundred years Kurodaya has been selling hand-made washi paper and anything that can be made from it - boxes, fans, kites and all types of stationery, as well as wood-block prints and wrapping papers. Closed Mon. Asakusa Station.
Mingeikan , 4-3-33 Komaba. The Japan Folk Crafts Museum , Komaba-Todaimae Station.
Oriental Bazaar , 5-9-13 Jingu-mae. Popular, one-stop souvenir emporium, selling everything from secondhand kimono to origami paper, all at reasonable prices. Closed Thurs. Meiji-jingumae Station.
Takumi , 8-4-2 Ginza. Folk-craft shop chock-a-block with bags, baskets, pots, toys and fabrics. Closed Sun & hols. Shimbashi Station.
Washikobo , 1-8-10 Nishi-Azabu. Delightful shop crammed to the rafters with washi products. Closed Sun. Roppongi Station.