Tokyo is a great place to shop for stationery. From colorful postcards to send back home to fancy Japanese knick-knacks, there's always something unique to find in the many stores of the metropolis. Among them is Itoya, a stationery shop founded more than 100 years ago in 1904. Offering a large variety of items including greeting cards, office supplies, craft paper and interior goods, it's an amazing place to lose track of time for a while.
Today we take you through their main branch, Ginza Itoya, consisting of the two stores located in the trendy shopping district of Ginza. The giant red paper clip marks the entrance to the main building G.Itoya, while the black fountain pen is the symbol for the smaller K.Itoya store across the street.
Here's a guide to each floor with a few recommendations of our favorite goods!
Source: Itoya Official Website
G.Itoya
GROUND
The first floor of G.Itoya is a bit of a mix of popular items, souvenirs, postcards and greeting cards. Here you'll also find the information desk. Looking over the shoppers is a cute woodpecker clock. Watch it move on the hour!
Our Recommendations
Beautiful Japanese design postcards - from 150 yen
3D Greeting cards - from 450 yen
KOTOBA x Itoya collaboration pendants - 2,800 yen
On the first floor is also a drink bar. We recommend you try their fresh lemonade (from 380 yen). It's ok to drink while browsing the store too!
SHARE
The second floor is all about letters. Here you'll find all kinds of writing paper and envelopes for any occasion you can imagine. If you have something you'd like to send, you can do it in the Write & Post corner. There's a nice table by the window where you can borrow writing equipment and take your time writing your letter or postcard. Once it's ready, you can post it directly from here using the real mailbox!
DESK
Stepping into the third floor you'll find yourself in the world of high class pens and fountain pens. From Japanese to Western brands, the polished glass cases are filled with high quality writing tools.
Our Recommendations
Nakabayashi x Sailor inks, Ukiyo-e fountain pen ink
“Blue Revolution” (5 colors) - 2,700 yen
Customizable pens! Parker JOTTER Factory
-Final assembly line- from 2,000 yen
SCHEDULE
On the fourth floor you'll find anything you need to keep organized. Notebooks, diaries, planners, all kinds of time management tools for work, school, and life.
Our Recommendation
Itoya original diaries - from 750 yen
Itoya's original planners collection comes in a variety of nice colors with a simple style. We really liked the weekly planner with 24 hours slots!
TRAVEL
The fifth floor is dedicated to travel. Specifically, the main theme is work travel and practicality when on the go. So here you'll find things like backpacks that store your suit without wrinkles, elegant rain boots and leather business card cases. Near the window is the Nomad’s Nook, a seating space with free Wi-Fi where people are free to stop by and send an email or work on the go.
Our Recommendation
We loved the"Itoya Color Chart series" (items from 700 yen), with their smart matching sets.
HOME
On the sixth floor you'll find a wide range of interior goods. Itoya has put together a selection of creative items for kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, and terrace. From artsy oven mitts to soothing room fragrances, you might find the perfect addition for your space here.
FINE PAPER
If you're into paper, just wait until you get to the seventh floor. Here you can choose between hundreds of kinds of high quality sheets. You can make your choice both by looking at the colors and by feeling hundreds of texture samples.
CRAFT
The eight floor is still paper-themed, but here you'll be able to browse through beautiful patterns and designs of all kinds. There is also a space where they hold craft workshops.
Have you always envied how store clerks are able to make perfect gift wraps? Well, at the Wrapping Stylist corner you can learn how to pack your gifts like a pro!
Our Recommendation
Origami paper - from 300 yen
We found countless origami books here, featuring both classic and unique designs. Not only do they contain explanation on how to fold the paper, but the book pages themselves become the origami paper!
FARM and CAFE STYLO
Hydroponic culture farm
Farm Salad with dried figs topping
Once you feel like you need a break from all the shopping, you can head to the 12th floor and recharge at Cafe Stylo. Their Western-inspired menu is rich and varied. Before heading to the restaurant, check out their hydroponic culture farm on the 11th floor, where they grow some of the veggies that they use in their amazing salads.
Almost hidden on the 11th floor is an incredibly detailed model of the first Itoya store.
K.Itoya
PEN
On to the second building, K.Itoya! Upon entering the first floor you'll find yourself surrounded by pens of all kind. For stationery fans, this is a little piece of heaven.
Our Recommendation
Itoya original, colorful Frixion pens! 24 colors - 130 yen
NOTE
More than 2000 kinds of notebooks from all over the world can be found on the second floor. What's more, at the Note Couture corner you'll be able to make your own custom notebook by choosing the size, covers, binding, paper type and finishing touches!
Our Recommendations
Itoya Oishii Sakana Noto - fish-themed
notebooks with a recipe inside! - from 300 yen
Itoya Note Couture, custom notebook - from 1,500 yen
OFFICE
Office supplies galore can be found on the third floor. Just because it's for the office it doesn't mean it's all serious, in fact we found some of the cutest items in this area.
Our Recommendations
Mind Wave Oshiri Shiriizu (animal butt series)
STAND STICK MARKER - 300 yen
Kanmido Pentone sticky note rolls - 740 yen (refill 450 yen).
Lipno (sticky note roll "lipstick" case) - 500 yen
COLOR and PAINT
Artists, painters and lovers of anything colorful, the next two floors are for you. The fourth floor offers all kinds of colored pencils, markers, crayons and more, while the fifth floor specializes in paints and brushes. You'll even find special things like Japanese calligraphy brushes and manga drawing tools.
Our Recommendations
.Too Copic markers, an incredible choice of colors! - 380 yen
Itoya ghost pencil - 150 yen
ATTIC
Finally, on K.Itoya's sixth floor is a little haven of peace and quiet called ATTIC. Selling mostly globes, this floor's purpose is to create a relaxing space that encourages playfulness and imagination in us adults. With a soft leather sofa in the middle, this could be a great place to spend a few relaxing moments.
Go Find the Big Paper Clip
Starting from stationery and expanding to many aspects of life, Ginza Itoya is a store full of amazing discoveries. We really loved the little specialized corners and the staff's attention to detail. Whether you're in search of the perfect notebook, the strangest postcard or a Japanese-style souvenir, Ginza Itoya is a fun place to visit!
Information
Ginza Itoya | 銀座 伊東屋
Address: 2-7-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (MAP)
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sun./Holidays 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Café Stylo: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., L.O. 9:00 p.m.)
Access: 1 min. walk from Ginza-itchome Station (Exit 9) on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line / 3 min. walk from Ginza Station (Exit A13) on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line and Hibiya Line
Website: https://www.ito-ya.co.jp/en/
*This article is based on information from August 2019.
*All prices are tax-exclusive.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.
About the Author
Laura is an Italian living and working in Tokyo. She loves exploring hidden and unknown places, taking pictures and listening to Punk Rock music. When she’s not busy doing the above, she might enjoy a craft beer or play the sanshin (an Okinawan instrument similar to a shamisen).
