25 best things to do in Kuramae: restaurants, cafés, shops and a gin distillery

Those obsessed with Japan’s endless variety of fun, colourful washi tape have to stop by this specialist store. Mt Lab is stocked with an overwhelming selection of washi tape in all sizes, colours and patterns.

Washi tape is surprisingly strong and has many other uses besides just sticking things together. Mt Lab even offers some inspiration on how you can use the tape in your everyday life, including DIY crafts and home decoration. 

Having cultivated relationships with boutique brands ranging from Louis Vuitton to Lanvin and Dolce & Gabbana, ribbon manufacturer Mokuba is one of Japan's lesser known world-class companies. This Kuramae showroom exhibits their beautiful wares, all of which are available for purchase by the metre. DIYers will love this stylish store, which carries a stunning variety of colourful wrapping material.

You might find yourself falling in love with the art of writing again after a visit to this specialist stationery shop. Kakimori’s range of pens, inks and letter sets are chosen on the basis of how comfortable they are to use, and customers are welcome to try out the fountain pens in store. Best of all are the made-to-order notebooks, prepared in five to ten minutes, with an infinitely customisable selection of covers, paper and bindings available.

Both a studio and a retail store, this leather shop stands out from the rest. Leather artisan Yuichiro Murakami, who used to be an architect, really puts his heart – and the traditional techniques he learned in Italy – into the products. Oozing simplicity and functionality, his pieces also make for great gifts.

Much more than your average homewares shop, Koncent sits along Kuramae's Edo-dori and functions as the home base for H Concept, a company involved in design consulting for a wide range of Japanese manufacturing businesses. As is to be expected, the trendy store stands out in these surroundings, with the all-white interior decorated with cool knickknacks from all over Japan. Take your pick of items from super-soft Imabari towels to Cupmen characters for your instant noodles.

Satisfying your every yarn-, twine- and other sewing-related need in Kuramae, this venerable retailer has been open for business since 1864. In more recent years, the shop has steadily expanded its selection, which now also includes tape, ribbons, wrapping paper and more. Highly recommended for DIY types on the hunt for inspiration and/or materials.

If you need a stylish leather bag that's also made to last, head straight for this factory store operated by the notable Ren brand. Simply crafted from quality materials, their unisex bags are all light and durable, but we're especially fond of the super-smooth pigskin varieties. Located in Kuramae, a neighbourhood known for its plentiful supply of shops and other businesses flying the flag for 'made in Tokyo' gear, Ren is well worth a stop whenever you're in the area.

Planning your own little fireworks show? Found a stone's throw from the Sumida River, where the city's best-known summer hanabi festival has been held since 1733, Matsuki deals in colourful explosives of all shapes and sizes. From kid-friendly fire-sticks to beastly rockets, your every firework need can be satisfied here, all year round. The shop also carries a range of traditional toys and decorative items, just in case you prefer something non-combustible.

Élab is a multipurpose space housing a restaurant and workshop focused on sustainability and supporting local businesses. At the front is Kitchen Lab. The restaurant sources its produce from two nearby farms, and also picks up leftovers from neighbouring businesses, including cacao husks from Dandelion Chocolate, and repurposes them.

Set behind the restaurant is the Living Lab, where kintsugi classes (repairing broken ceramics with gold) and woodworking workshops take place. Kintsugi classes are just ¥5,000 for your first visit; from then on it’s ¥3,000 per class. Got some old clothes you’d like to fix and repair? Bring them to the upcycled clothing workshop and give your preloved items a second life. You can sign up for Élab’s events and workshops here.

When was the last time you penned a hand-written letter? As we now live in a fast-paced digital world, many of us have lost touch with pen and paper. At Jiyucho, you can take the time to reflect on your day and write a letter to yourself which will be sent to you a year later. 

It’s a unique concept, and the shop offers several letterset options. The Tomoshibi (¥2,970) is the most popular, where you get to choose a postcard themed on past, present or future to help prompt your letter, as well as a cup of coffee or tea. Once you’ve finished, seal your letter and hand it to the staff who will mail it to you a year later.

Joggers love this riverside route that runs along both sides of the Sumida River from Ryogoku in the north to Kachidoki and Tsukiji in the south. The course attracts only light traffic and provides smooth surfaces, challenging staircases and captivating views. Groups of parents hanging out with their kids, as well as office workers taking the opportunity to lunch with the sea breeze in their face also frequent it, while you can even spot the occasional cyclist on the flatter sections.

There are many ways to feel nostalgic about the past. In Tokyo, taking a bath at Misuji Bathhouse has been offering visitors a glimpse into yesteryear since 1951. With its antique kawara roof, the bathhouse preserves traditional architecture and interiors from the Showa period. The most remarkable feature is a luxurious garden that you can see from the changing rooms. See if you can spot the colourful carp and goldfish swimming in the pond. Together with the steaming-hot bath, the elegant views and classic Japanese ambience will sweep your breath (and fatigue) away.

Standing right in the heart of the Kuramae neighbourhood, this shrine was first established in 1694, and assumed its current name in 1947. It's said to be the birthplace of kanjin sumo, i.e. wrestling tournaments held in order to raise donations for shrines and temples, and a memorial stele for the participants still stands on the shrine grounds. Traditional-style rakugo performances also take place here on occasion.

Run by the same group behind Iriya's Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel, this friendly Kuramae hostel boasts some nifty interior design and a stylish ground-floor bar (complete with grand piano) that seems to be as popular with local residents as it is with guests. Mixed dormitories start at ¥2,600 per person, while a private twin room starts at ¥6,800 per night, with shared bathrooms, a kitchen and free wifi. There's no curfew, but the common areas all close at midnight, making it better suited to early sleepers. Nui. is a short walk from the nearest subway station, and a 15-minute stroll from Asakusa.

All along the sakura-lined Meguro River, the shops, restaurants and cafés here reward exploration at any time of year

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