HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Tokyo Akihabara See Studios in Action! Inside Akihabara's Small Manufacturers at 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan
See Studios in Action! Inside Akihabara's Small Manufacturers at 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

See Studios in Action! Inside Akihabara's Small Manufacturers at 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

Last updated: 18 May 2020

If you would like to see craftsman's work unique to Japan and purchase traditional crafts for souvenirs, 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan located under the elevated railway tracks between JR Akihabara Station and Okachimachi Station is perfect for you.

You can see nationwide traditional crafts from potteries, glassworks, wooden products, leather products to dyed goods there. You can also have a chance to see the actual production process and experience making them.

The place perfect for seeing craft works all around Japan

The place perfect for seeing craft works all around Japan

At 2k540, you can have fun seeing craft works from all over Japan. About fifty professional studios making potteries, glassworks, wooden products, handmade shoes and bags, and professional craft works gathered here.

Each shop has a strong desire to "leave good things" so it carefully introduces products through demonstration.

Takatoriyaki by Onimaru Setsuzan Kamamoto

Takatoriyaki by Onimaru Setsuzan Kamamoto

You can enjoy the works produced by Fukuoka prefecture's potter making Takatoriyaki, the extremity of Japanese traditional craftworks.

The works created by Hekizan, the 3rd master of potter, provide elegance in delicacy and are loved by young people. In addition to authentic plates for tea and with flowers drawn on them, teacups and coffee cups for daily use are often purchased as souvenirs.

  • Takatoriyaki by Onimaru Setsuzan Kamamoto
    高取焼鬼丸雪山窯元
    • Address 5-9 (M-3), Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan

Hacoa

Hacoa

Taking advantage of the know-how to produce the wooden basis of the "Echizen lacquer crafts" of Fukui prefecture with over 1500 years of history, Hacoa sells a variety of wooden goods that match modern life. Wooden business card holders (photo above), smartphone cases, and lacquered USB flash drives are popular as a souvenir. They also provide a name printing service using a laser carving machine.

  • Hacoa DIRECT STORE
    Hacoa DIRECT STORE
    • Address 5-9 (J-2), Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan

Nippon Department Store

Nippon Department Store

This unique department store introduces excellent goods all around Japan that its owner found by going to various places in Japan. It carries many handmade products produced by craftsmen, such as the tinplate toys produced in small factories even now, stoles that are carefully dyed with vegetables, and folded-cloth collage accessories are made with the fabric of the Kimono.

  • Nippon Department Store
    日本百貨店
    • Address 5-9 (A-1), Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan

Soshin Kaleidoscopes

Soshin Kaleidoscopes

Uncommon even in Japan, this shop specializes in kaleidoscopes. They use artisanal, cutting-edge processing techniques to make impressive kaleidoscopes. If the timing is right, you can see the production processes and create your own original kaleidoscope. There are often English-speaking staff on Saturdays.

  • Soshin Kaleidoscopes
    創心万華鏡
    • Address 5-9(G-3), Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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