Here are five charming shops you should not miss when exploring Kuramae:
・ Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge – A relaxed spot for excellent morning coffee and a satisfying breakfast
・ Dandelion Chocolate – San Francisco–born craft chocolate with bold, distinctive flavors
・ Kakimori – A beloved shop specializing in custom-made stationery
・ Koncent – Thoughtful everyday goods that blend function with playful design

Just a short walk into the backstreets from Kuramae Station on the Oedo Line, you will find a well-known hostel tucked inside what looks like an ordinary building. Turn the corner, and a bright, welcoming space opens up, framed by large glass windows and filled with a warm, slightly laid-back atmosphere. Travelers speaking all kinds of languages chat happily over coffee. This is Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge, a popular hostel that opened in Kuramae in September 2012.

The building was originally a warehouse belonging to a toy company with over 300 years of history. Its renovation preserves the airy, high-ceilinged feel of the original structure while adding plenty of natural wood and a simple, understated design that gives the space a cozy sense of warmth.

Guest rooms are located on the second through fifth floors, while the spacious first floor serves as a shared lounge for guests to eat, relax, and connect. It also operates as a café and lounge bar. From morning until early evening (8 AM to 6 PM), the space is filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. After night falls (6 PM to 1 AM), it transforms into a relaxed night bar for casual drinks. Whether you stop by during the day or in the evening, it is an easy place to unwind.

Even if you are not staying overnight, you are welcome to drop in for coffee or breakfast. It is the kind of place where you can naturally strike up conversations with travelers from around the world and enjoy easygoing, cross-cultural exchanges without ever leaving the neighborhood.

At Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge, the coffee program is supervised by ONIBUS COFFEE, a well-known café from Tokyo’s Setagaya area. The hot latte we tried had fine, silky foam and a rich aroma, with the bitterness softened into a smooth, well-balanced finish that makes it ideal for breakfast.

In addition to lattes, the menu includes espresso made with dark-roasted beans and carefully brewed hand-drip coffee. Each day, there are four light breakfast options such as croissants, apple pie, chocolate Danish pastries, and cereal, with the option to add a boiled egg or a salad for a more complete French-style breakfast set.

The croissant, often enjoyed alongside coffee, is one of the café’s most popular breakfast items. Baked to a crisp golden exterior with soft, airy layers inside, it releases a buttery aroma and gentle sweetness with every bite. It is delicious even on its own and well worth trying.

Settle into a cozy corner of the café for a short break and enjoy a cup of coffee. Strike up easy conversations with fellow travelers from around the world, swap travel tips, jot down a few thoughts from your journey, or simply watch everyday local life unfold through the floor-to-ceiling windows. All of it makes for a quietly wonderful experience.

Soft music plays in the background, naturally lifting your mood. Just as you are savoring this unhurried moment, staff gently wish each guest heading out “Itte-rasshai” meaning “take care” or “see you later.” That small, warm farewell lingers, offering a comforting touch that soothes both the heart and the travel-worn spirit.

Although there are many coffee shops in the area, another kind of shop stands out among them: Dandelion Chocolate. Using San Francisco’s Bean to Bar chocolate brand’s high-quality ingredients and strict manufacturing process, the shop has attracted chocolate-loving tourists from all corners of the globe. Without a doubt, it’s must for any visit to Kuramae.

Dandelion Chocolate is a well-known Bean to Bar chocolate store in San Francisco, USA. It was founded in 2010 and opened its first overseas location in Tokyo in 2016.

The shop, found in a refurbished 60-year-old cargo packing warehouse, is situated next a quiet park in Kuramae. The first floor offers customers the chance to see the chocolate production process, and to indulge in Dandelion’s desserts and beverages while relaxing in a small seating area.

Each of Dandelion Chocolate’s products is reviewed by representatives of the world’s chocolate producing regions at various stages in the production process to ensure the highest quality and best flavor. Bean to Bar chocolate uses no artificial additives, and uses cocoa from a single source for each of its handmade chocolates.

Homemade pastries, desserts and drinks can all be enjoyed in the comfort of the shop, or taken out. For those who are interested in being a part of the chocolate making experience, in-store workshops are (reservation required).

Dandelion Chocolate has about seven kinds chocolate on display, with information on the origin, taste, roaster, place of manufacture, and how many cocoa beans are used in each. Chocolates with golden wrappers are imported from the San Franciso, while those in silver wrappers are produced the Kuramae shop.

Each of the varieties produced by the different manufacturing sites and makers has its own unforgettable flavor: Cahabón has a scent combination of grapes and caramel, accompanied by a delicate and subtle red wine flavor for an impressive taste. Costa Esmeraldas has the sweet, rich taste of a cherry brownie. Anamali has a fresh lemon aroma, which gradually turns into a raisin and a nut flavor.

The bright, spacious dining area on the second floor is suitable for meeting with friends or families with children. The menu includes a wide variety of drinks and desserts including hot chocolate, organic tea, s’mores, and cookies. No matter what you fancy, you’ll be satisfied with the delectable tastes and textures of your own unique Dandelion experience.

Kakimori, opened in 2010, is a Japanese-style stationery store known for providing customers with "customized notebooks" and their own "exclusive ink colors." Mr. Hirose, the owner, adheres to the spirit that has been passed down from generation to generation, has a passion for stationery and the joy of writing.

In addition to custom notebooks, Kakimori sells various brands of ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, pencils, pens, ink, envelopes, letterhead, and Japanese stationery. In November 2017, the original store relocated to a more spacious location on the same block. Customers who come to the store can find their favorite stationery and enjoy the fun of making their own stationery in the store.

Kakimori’s custom notebook service allows customers to select the size and thickness of their notebook, as well as the cover material, paper type, binding method, and even the type of buckle to keep the notebook closed. The freedom to mix and match is endless!

Cover materials include paper, cloth, leather, felt, cotton cloth, and parchment. About 60 styles are available and range from simple colors – subdued or bright – to intricate Japanese patterns, plaids, and floral prints. Kakimori also collaborates with other brands to develop new products. For example, the material on the upper right photo above is a pattern developed in cooperation with the Japanese brand "Cocca".

To make your notebook even more unique, your name can even be imprinted in the cover. The simple production method has only a few steps from paper selection to binding, and the whole process takes about 20 to 90 minutes depending on how busy the shop is.

The "Kyoto" series of inks that showcases the traditional colors and elegance of Kyoto, the "Shikiori Four Seasons 16 Nights Dream" series of inks that are full of Japanese seasonal colors, and the "Pilot Iroshizuku Color" that presents Japan's rich beauty.

Kakimori also sells ballpoint pen refills and around sixty pen models, including the British royal family’s Parker brand and Kakimori’s own original designs, respectively. Each has a special description and various types of paper are available to get a feel for each pen. Whether you’re creating your own notebook, in the market for a smooth-writing pen, or looking for ink, envelopes, or other stationery, Kakimori offers the perfect array of products suitable for immersing yourself in the joys of writing!

Koncent is a lifestyle product store created by parent brand H Concept, whose goal is to deliver Japanese design quality and sensibilities to consumers and to spread it in everyday life. It’s a place that connects local designers, manufacturers, and customers.

In addition to the store located near Ekimae Station on the Toei Asakusa Line, other shops can found throughout Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Hokkaido in Japan, as well as Australia, Malaysia, and Taipei.

Koncent currently offers nearly twenty-five brands and about five hundred product types, including kitchen utensils, office supplies, home decorations, stationery, snacks, and small furniture items. This wide variety of value-priced items specifically showcases new items for the first month or two they go on sale, and customers can enjoy the attractive new product displays.

For those with fond memories of playing with pinwheels as a child, the “Kaze Guru Ma” pinwheel magnet turns the toy into a chic home life ornament. These beautiful magnets are perfect for decorating message boards or simply keeping notes attached to your refrigerator, while adding color and childlike innocence to your day. A perfect gift, this pinwheel magnet was the 2017 H Concept Design Competition winner.

Diatomaceous earth ("keisodo" in Japanese) and its moisture-absorbing and moisture-proofing properties have gained popularity in Asian countries in recent years. Since it is made of natural materials, and is easy to clean and reuse, it has become a “must buy” for tourists who visit Japan. Koncent carries a full range of Soil brand products, and allows customers to them out, so the Soil area of the store is always busy!

These cute animal-shaped rubber bands have a top selling item since their debut in 2002. They’re strong and keep their shape even after prolonged use. Available in a wide variety of animal shapes, they’re a hit with adults and children alike!

These popular shops are sure to make your trip to Tokyo unforgettable. Whether you’re a coffee or chocolate lover, or if you’re looking for something aesthetically pleasing to liven up your everyday life, you’ll certainly want to visit again!

Written by: Yu / English by: Gabriel Wilkinson