Stationary stores

Hello,
I'll be in Tokyo and Kyoto next month and would like to visit a stationary store to find a specific notebook made by Lihit Lab called ''e-ring'' (http://www.lihit-lab.co.jp/ecology/style/03.htm)
I can't read their website so I don't know where to look for this item.

Would anyone have any suggestions? Do most office supply stores carry all Japanese brands or do I need to look for certain stores that carry Lihit Lab products?

I know this might seem odd but I just thought I'd try to see if I could find it while I'm there but don't plan to go too far out of my way to find it.

Stationary stores

Most stores in Japan are stationary - except during an earthquake... !:')

a specific notebook made by Lihit Lab called ''e-ring''

Nice design. Very well done. I can see why you like it.


Would anyone have any suggestions? Do most office supply stores carry all Japanese brands or do I need to look for certain stores that carry Lihit Lab products?

You will have more luck finding it at one of the larger stores. The smaller, neighborhood stores are totally dependent on the distribution system here and don't offer much in the way of off or less popular brands.

Your best bet is Tokyu Hands (Tokyu, not Tokyo). They have several multi-story stores around Tokyo - Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and a few others. The Shinjuku store is the easist to find, and the one that I personally like best. Come out the south exit of the JR Shinjuku station, cross the main street, head towards the Takashimaya Times Square building and you will see lots of signs directing you to Tokyu Hands.

Another good possibility is Ito-Ya. They bill themselves as ''Stationary Wonderland'', and basically live up to that title. You might try their Tokyo Ginza store at 7-15 Ginza 2-chome (03-3561-8311) - it's about 2 minutes walk from the A13 exit of the Ginza line Kyobashi station.

Thanks tempusmaster.I've read about Tokyu Hands and Itoya. I'm staying in Shinjuku so I should be able to make it to the one near Takashimaya Times Square.If I don't find it there I might head over to Itoya.

Hopefully, I won't experience the big one while there. I'm staying in a high-rise building and can't imagine what it would be like.

if you can't speak Japanese, why don't you print that page so you can show it at the stationery store if you can't find what you're looking for?

Lihit Lab is a common stationery brand here so you should have no problem finding it, even in the stationery section of bigger supermarkets. Tokyu Hands and Itoya will of course stock these notebooks but these stores tend to be a bit on the expensive side. As I said, try supermarkets too. Also, this type of notebook isn't so unusual here so you might be able to find a non-Lihit version in 100 yen shops. You can also buy the binding alone to fill with your own paper. Don't forget to buy a lot of refill paper because I was never able to find anything like it at home.

Thanks for the additional advice. It's all very helpful.

I do have one of these notebooks that I plan to take along to show as an example. A local design store sold a few but doesn't have anymore. I really how I can add or delete pages and would like a couple more.

There's a Kinokuniya book store here in Seattle that carries paper that will fit this notebook so, I'll have no problem getting the paper. I also bought a hole punch so I could create my own punched paper.

I just love going to the Kinokuniya and finding well designed office/schools supplies so, I'm sure I'll have a great time shopping in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Leaving Tokyo in a week, and having trouble finding a really good stationery/paper store. Tried Tokyu Hands, and they didn't have the wide range of choices I expected...can anyone help me as I leave the 17th of Oct.

Have you tried Itoya? The address and phone number for the Ginza shop (the biggest, most fun shop to look around in :)) are given in tempusmaster's post already.

Just a follow-up on my earlier post.

Wasn't able to find this brand/make of notebooks with special binding but did find similar one at Muji in Yurakucho in B5 size.

Ito-ya in Ginza didn't have anything like it.

Tokyo Hands has good selection of stationary items but not this notebook.

Happened to come across art supply store in Shinjuko called Sekaido (www.sekaido.co.jp), which had a great selection of various notebooks and binding supplies.

If taking JR train how to walk to Itoya at Ginza ?

This should give you a map with a green arrow marking the location of the store:

http://tinyurl.com/5zsgkv

JR Kurakucho station on the Yamanote line is up in the top left-hand corner. You can reposition the map by holding down the left mouse button and dragging the map around. Then print off and take it when you go.

Thanks alot !

There is a nice stationery shop right next to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya calls Picnic On Picnic. Check it out if you happen to be in Shibuya. The 'S' in the map is Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station and the 'G' is Picnic On Picnic, it's about 8 to 10 mins walks from the station.
http://navi.mapion.co.jp/route/search?m=2&sp=2jGe1250zDk976&...