In recent years, DIY and crafting have surged in popularity in the West due to rising living expenses (affecting costs in labor), social media, and the global pandemic. However, Japan embraced handicrafts long before the concept of "DIY" even became popular. Crafting and building is a lifestyle for Japan reflected in activities such as pottery, fabric dyeing, flower arrangements, and many more. It’s no surprise that you would see many Japanese craft stores have dedicated sections (even the whole store itself) to DIY.
High quality and unique aesthetics: these are what Japan’s products are known for, and this also applies to their tools and handicraft materials. If you’re looking to get creative and make your vision come to life using Japanese DIY tools, this article will introduce ten of the best handicraft stores in Japan with online shops. DIY projects come in all shapes and sizes so all stores in this list specialize in different types of DIY.
DIY Japanese Crafts
First, let's understand the DIY scene in Japan to know what to expect when sourcing materials for your projects. Like the West, more people have gained interest in DIY, especially since the pandemic. When looking for tools and products, words like handmade (ハンドメイド handomeido), homemade (ホームメイド homumeido), and tezukuri (手作り) may be important to remember since it's synonymous with DIY. It may make your search easier in case places use these terms instead of “DIY”.
It's also worth noting that a lot of Japanese associate “DIY” with bigger, woodworking, interior designing, or furniture-type projects. The terms introduced above are more associated with smaller crafting-type projects. These words introduced are not an exhaustive list so it's best to look up some words relating to your hobby of interest before buying supplies.
10 Best Handicraft Stores in Japan
Below are the stores we'll be talking about and their online shops. You can see more details in each store’s sections.
DAISO
100 yen shops are a treasure trove for DIY. Among all the Japanese handicraft stores, these shops are ideal for finding tools and supplies for beginner-friendly and small to medium-scale projects.
DAISO is one of the biggest 100 yen chains in Japan. Not only can you find affordable supplies there, its online store makes it convenient to find what you need. If you live outside Japan, you may be in luck. DAISO also has international branches in some major cities in the US and select Asian countries like Korea. If you’re a beginner looking to start your DIY journey or even an expert DIY enthusiast planning a smaller craft project, you can start looking here.
TOKYU HANDS
If you've been to Japan at least once, you most likely have seen this store. Tokyu Hands (also referred to as HANDS) is a large department store chain specialized in selling craft, stationery, and home improvement goods. Staying true to their motto, “You can find anything here”, HANDS boasts a wide variety of DIY tools for your next creation. Whether beginner or pro, you’ll find what you need here!
Yuzawaya
Calling all crafters and artists! Yuzawaya is your haven for DIY Japanese crafts. Being in business for around 60 years, Yuzawaya has everything from fabrics, yarn, clay, beads, and everything else you need for your handcrafting. Can’t figure out what to make? You can also find books suggesting various crafts that will inspire you to create your next project.
You can find Yuzawaya scattered across Japan (especially in Tokyo) so check if there’s one near you if you live (or are traveling) in Japan. They also have an online store that sells internationally! You can now be a click away from getting your supplies for your Japanese DIY project.
Kawachi Art Supplies Store
For big fans of the Japanese aesthetic, Kawachi is a store worth looking into for your DIY. Located in Osaka, Kawachi specializes in various art supplies like oil pastels and traditional Japanese inspired materials. Kawachi’s supplies are best suited for miniature building and small-scale crafting. If you live outside Osaka, or even internationally, Kawachi also has an online store that also caters internationally.
Keiyo D2
Moving on to stores for larger-scale DIY, Keiyo D2 is a hardware and dollar store with branches spread throughout Tokyo. It sells wood, particle boards, gardening and landscape-related tools among all other things for DIY. Worried about lack of work space at home? Some branches will actually have a dedicated area for you to build your project. You can even use their tools like bandsaws and drills if they are available.
It is also important to know that beginning September of 2024, all Keiyo D2 stores will go under the name DCM (the name of their parent company DCM Holdings). Currently, if you shop online from Keiyo D2, it is already under DCM.
Cainz
CAINZ is a mega hardware store with branches all across Japan. It is a competitor to the DCM chain and offers similar supplies to improve your home. Be it interior design, furniture building, gardening, and anything DIY, CAINZ is a good place to shop for tools and supplies.
They have an online store and also a dedicated service to help you with your DIY projects. They offer classes for beginners and other DIY works
Viva Home
If you want a one-stop shop for everything DIY (big or small) visit the VIVA HOME stores. Others talk about the Super VIVA HOME in Toyosu in Tokyo, but VIVA HOME can be found in various parts of Japan under the following names:
POINTS
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Super VIVA HOME
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VIVA HOME
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VIVA HOME PRO
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VIVIES
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House Deco
There is nothing you can’t find in these stores. They have everything from gardening supplies, building tools, fabrics, and more. Whatever project you’re working on, whether beginner or a veteran crafter or builder, VIVA HOME has got you covered.
Kohnan
Operating since 1978, Kohnan is a reliable option to get DIY supplies. Kohnan is a hardware store offering home appliances, daily goods, and gardening tools, as well as DIY and construction tools and supplies. You can find Kohnan anywhere in Japan and they also have an online store.
Okadaya
One of the best Japanese craft stores in Japan is OKADAYA. Since 1950, OKADAYA has been selling fabrics, tools for haberdashery projects, and anything craft related. Cosplayers, sewers, and fabric enthusiasts will find this place a haven with their extensive selection of high quality products. OKADAYA has other branches in Japan but the most well-known is their flagship store in Shinjuku in Tokyo. The Shinjuku store is split into two buildings with one dedicated to everything fabric and the other one for clothing and accessories.
OKADAYA is not just a go-to for Japanese crafters, but its reputation as one of Japan’s best craft stores extends internationally. OKADAYA has an online store that is available locally and internationally.
Nomura Tailor
If you live or are taking a trip to Kyoto, NOMURA TAILOR is a must-see! DIY enthusiasts will love this store for its huge selection of fabrics and textiles among all other tools and materials for Japanese handicrafts. Like OKADAYA, NOMURA TAILOR has a long-established reputation, being in service since 1952 and often visited by crafters and DIY enthusiasts locally and from overseas. You can also buy their fabrics, kits, and more online even from abroad.
Conclusion
Whether you're just starting your DIY journey or are a seasoned crafter, Japan offers an incredible variety of high-quality tools and materials to bring your ideas to life. With ZenMarket, you can easily shop Japanese craft supplies. Explore, create, and let your next masterpiece begin with the right tools from Japan!