Where To Buy Ink In Tokyo

[penny_lane]

Dear fountain pen friends,

a friend of a friend of mine is currently staying in Tokyo. Do you know good places where to buy inks in Tokyo for a good price?

I'm thinking about Sailor and Iroshizuku inks. Any other advice what to get in Tokyo stationery-wise?

Thank you!

[Karmachanic]

I've not been to Tokyo as yet , but this is what the goog has to say:

 

https://www.vogue.com/article/tokyo-japan-best-stationary-stores

https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-04-07/best-stationery-stores-in-tokyo-japan

https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/shopping/best-stationery-stores-in-tokyo

https://www.tripzilla.com/stationery-shops-tokyo/71050

https://livejapan.com/en/in-shibuya/article-a0001582/

 

This one in particular: https://www.stutler.cc/pens/tokyo/

Edited September 9, 2018 by Karmachanic

[mongrelnomad]

Itoya (Ginza) has the whole standard Sailor line, plus now carries the Nagasawa Kobe line too. They also have their own make-your-own notebook in Itoya-K around the corner.

 

Kingdom Note (Shinjuku) has their own special-edition lines, though they are often sold out.

 

Maruzen (multiple locations) has their own Sailor line (Athena), though many are re-boxed standard line.

 

Bungubox (Aoyama) has their own line.

 

If he's there for pleasure, I'd suggest a trip to Kakimori Ink Stand (Kuramae) - mix your own colours of pigment ink. Kakimori (the stationary store next door) makes their own wonderful notebooks with the paper of your choice, including Tamoe River.

 

Eurobox (Ginza) is a great place for vintage pens, and it's also in the Okuno building - luxury apartments in the 1930s, it's been repurposed in recent years as a space for pop-up galleries.

 

Everywhere will have Iroshizuku.

Edited September 9, 2018 by mongrelnomad

[Karmachanic]

I think Japan must be around the corner from stationery heaven.

[bobje]

Maruzen at Nihombashi, Itoya, TAG, Bung Box, Bunbougu Cafe. Pilot Iroshizuku inks in Tokyo are more than reasonably priced, and Sailor inks are cheaper in Tokyo than nearly anywhere else. People who like stationery are in for a lovely experience. Two recent essays that will help:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/338197-i-long-for-stationery-in-kyoto/

https://checkplease.site/2018/09/07/three-cafes-in-tokyo-where-to-enjoy-food-stationery-and-fountain-pens/

[Algester]

places... what are you chasing for?

[gerigo]

Yeah to repeat what others are saying, we want to understand your intentions. Are you looking for cheaper prices than what's available in your home country or are you looking for exclusives?

 

If you're chasing cheapest price, nothing beats online. Ask your friends to go online to places that offer really low prices. These are NOT Itoya, Maruzen or any of the places that us pen people would want to go to since all these places thrive on amazing service but at FULL price.

 

If you're chasing after the exclusives, then you have to pay very high prices and have your friends also queue for choice and selection. A lot of these places place limit on the amount you buy. And they tend to be very pricey.

[katanankes]

Also, tell us in which area of Tokyo your friend is staying, possibly the hotel name, and we can pinpoint specific stores that may be easy to reach.

[Algester]

there are also Tsutaya stores especially the T-site in Daikanyama which is technically still in Tokyo also has their own offerings

[penny_lane]

Thank you for all your answers and sorry for my late reply! I have written down all the tips so I can visit the places if I'll ever go to Tokyo.

Tokyo really must be like stationery heaven

I'm sorry that it seemed unclear for what I was looking for. I thought I said I was looking for Sailor and Iroshizuku inks for a good price.

You are right that the prices are good online but the shipping is always soo expensive.

In the end she ended up buying a bottle of Kon Peki and a Pilot Prera for me for about 30€ in total. In Germany there are places where one bottle of Iroshizuku alone costs 30€ so I'm very happy about that bargain.

[Algester]

Thank you for all your answers and sorry for my late reply! I have written down all the tips so I can visit the places if I'll ever go to Tokyo.

Tokyo really must be like stationery heaven

I'm sorry that it seemed unclear for what I was looking for. I thought I said I was looking for Sailor and Iroshizuku inks for a good price.

You are right that the prices are good online but the shipping is always soo expensive.

In the end she ended up buying a bottle of Kon Peki and a Pilot Prera for me for about 30€ in total. In Germany there are places where one bottle of Iroshizuku alone costs 30€ so I'm very happy about that bargain.

not quite that expensive order online and ship it to the hotel, or nearest convenient store in Japan you can pick up goods from any major convenient store... which is well pretty plenty especially in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka