KKyoto

Where do you go for shopping local art-craft in Kyoto?

  • May 24, 2025

Do you know some good boutiques for shopping Japanese art-craft? (not for “tourist”, not the cliché souvenirs and not the things made in China)

I often go around the ShinPuhKan adjacent streets to explore and found some nice local boutiques, but haven’t found many so far around this district.

Here are some of the “mainstream” brands/stores but still OK references to give you an idea of what style I’m looking for:

BEAMS Japan | Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten | Tsutaya Books | Itoya | Travelers Company | Human Made | Chugai Toen | Isetan

I like the idea of Japanese art-craft with a modern twist, but still very happy with traditional brands with more conservative designs.

Many thanks for your advices and references in Kyoto (and the surroundings).

by NoCoinFlip

2 comments

  1. I was in Kyoto last month (second time) & similar to you, went looking for traditional ware made in Japan. Here are some places & stores I found worth my time 👇🏾
    – Teramachi Kyogoku market (in Kawaramachi) – historical; specialty stores;
    – Shinkyogoku Shopping Street – v good; traditional arts, crafts, & souvenirs;
    – Matsubara-dori – traditional crafts & souvenirs;
    – Kyukyodo – traditional arts store;
    – Morita Washi – washi products;
    – Miyawaki baisen-an – folding fans;
    – Hiyoshiya – traditional wooden parasols store;
    – Kotouen – tanuki statues;
    – Kyoto Handicraft Center – local craft products;
    – Kyoto Musubi – furoshiki store;
    – Artbooks Yamazaki – traditional woodblock prints;
    – Maiko Antiques – pricey but genuine antiques; irregular hours;
    – Kyo Amahare – Japanese pottery store.

    Lmk what worked for you!

  2. General stores
    – [Atelier Japan in Hotel Granvia](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YTQUFMW3H6DUtHYR6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) – they’ll also be opening a new store in Daimaru soon
    – [Kyoto Ceramic Center](https://maps.app.goo.gl/EYW4K9dVEy6zQc749?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy)
    – Shop at [Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design](https://maps.app.goo.gl/BiUbyJXrNEceKzB16?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy)
    – [Koubunsha](https://maps.app.goo.gl/T9LiuBYLTRpgtE7g9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (this one’s a cafe/gallery that displays a lot of great stuff by individual artists/artisans)

    Individual artisans/studios with their own shop
    – [Soryugama](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CVmJ2JmBHxYfaDeT9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (ceramics)
    – [Showen Kumihimo](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wVScmX25sytwWuET7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (kumihimo)
    – [Craft Gallery Eiran](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uBDieg6fyzXnGHV2A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (indigo dyed textiles/interior pieces)
    – [Ikeuchi Yuzen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/F2Awx63N9xUpChPA6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (yuzen-dyed accessories)
    – [Ohnishi Tsune Shoten](https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWvDUGou9iTxTBDp9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (folding fans)
    – [Kanbe Juzuten](https://maps.app.goo.gl/j6M1q6wC2U1MqLFn9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy) (juzu beads)

    And these are just some of the people I know or have met 😅 happy exploring!

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