Finding Craft Shops in Kuramae

Kuramae is not far from Asakusa and a kind of “emerging artisanal area” as lots of craft shops lined up along the street.  Some of them are century-old shops and some are new comers including trendy cafes.  There is a good mixture of old and new.

1. Kimura Yoshikazu Kite & Toys Shop

One of the old shops is Kimura Yoshikazu Shop who sells kites and traditional toys.  (Note: I think it reads “Yoshikazu” but I am not sure.  So just in case, the Chinese characters of the shop is 木村由一.)  This shop opened in 1914.  They have many kinds of kites some of them are made by the owner of the shop.

Kite and Toy Shop in Kuramae

Hand-made kite of Kimura Yoshikazu Shop

Hand-made Kite of Kimura Yoshikazu Shop

In addition to the kites, they sell traditional fans, dolls, coloured folding paper Origami, spinning tops, Tenugui towels with traditional patterns, etc.

Kite and Toy Shop in Kuramae

Kite and Toy Shop in Kuramae

Kite and Toy Shop

Address: 4-3 Kuramae 2-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Opening Hrs: 9am – 5:30pm Closed on 2nd & 3rd Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays

2. Mizuki-ya Baba Store, the Hand-Made Baskets Shop

Another old shop is Mizuki-ya Baba Store.  This is a wholesaler of hand-made baskets but they also sell at retail.  The material for the baskets include wisteria, bamboo, willow, crimson glory vine, etc.  The prices are incredibly reasonable.

Mizuki-ya Baba Store, the Baskets Shop

Mizuki-ya Baba Store, the Baskets Shop

Mizuki-ya Baba Store, the Baskets Shop

Mizuki-ya Baba Store, the Baskets Shop

Address: 6-7 Kuramae 4-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Opening Hrs.: 9:30am – 6pm Closed on Sat. & Sun.

3. Cafes in Kuramae

In between those old traditional shops are newly established cafes.  Kuramae is really a competitive marketplace for cafes and you can find many interesting stand-alone cafes.

In many cases, they are not just a cafe but sell something local so you can enjoy shopping inside the cafes.  And the appearance of these cafes are quite stylish and elegant.

Cafe En in Kuramae

Koncent, Cafe and Miscellaneous Shop

Dandelion Chocolate Factory

Cafe En

Address: 6-2 Kuramae 2-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Opening Hrs.: 9am – 7pm Closed on Mondays.

URL: https://www.enkuramae.com/global/

Koncent

Address: 4-5 Kuramae 2-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Opening Hrs.: 11am – 7pm

URL: https://koncent.net/shop

Dandelion Chocolate Factory

Address: 14-6 Kuramae 4-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Opening Hrs.: 10am – 8pm

The rest of the story of Kuramae is coming soon. All of today’s spots are easy access from Kuramae Station and it is a good walking course.  If you walk in this area, you can easily come across craft shops and cafes.  The walking in this area is fun.  But be careful because many craft shops may close on Saturdays and Sundays.