Jun Harada

Hidden away right in between tourist-favourite Asakusa and the much grittier Asakusabashi, Kuramae gets its name from the all-important rice granaries that lined the streets here during the Edo era. As rice was literally money back in the days of the shogunate, the neighbourhood attracted plenty of wealthy merchants and other successful Edoites, many of whom took up residence in the area. Later on, Kuramae morphed into something of a centre for craftspeople – an aspect that's still very much present, especially with the recent increase in young designers and other creatives calling the area home. Affordable rent and active support from the Taito ward authorities have backed up this influx of up-and-coming talent, making Kuramae a hotbed of hip 'made in Tokyo' shops, trendy eateries and hipster coffee shops. Co-existing with and feeding off the many venerable handicraft businesses already in the area, the newcomers are breathing fresh life into this comfy riverside 'hood.  RECOMMENDED: The coolest neighbourhoods in Tokyo

タイムアウト東京 > ショッピング＆スタイル >東京、美しい文具に出会える店15選 子ども時代に使い始め、生涯を通して私たちのそばにある生活の道具、文具。たった数十円の小さな実用品から、収集家を魅了する逸品まで、機能性と美しさの両方を求められるステーショナリーの世界は広くて深い。職人やデザイナーの情熱から生まれた結晶のようなローカル製品、海を越えてやってきた異文化の香り漂う輸入文具。そんなステーショナリーへの愛が詰まった専門店が東京にはいくつもある。ここでは、タイムアウト編集部が選んだ個性豊かな15軒を紹介する。関連記事：『東京、グリーンショップ10選』『東京、心躍るキッチングッズがそろう店6選』

DIYとは「Do It Yourself」。つまり、自らの手で何かをすること。近年、既製品や既存のサービスに頼らず、自分の手で暮らしを作りたい人たちがますます増えているという。ここでは、初心者からDIY精神みなぎる達人まで、DIYの力になる店10軒を紹介する。次の休日は、自らの手で何かを作る自由を味わってみてはいかがだろう。

Hidden in between tourist-infested Asakusa and the grittier Asakusabashi, Kuramae gets its name from the all-important rice granaries that lined the streets here during the Edo era. As rice was literally money back in the days of the shogunate, the neighbourhood attracted plenty of wealthy merchants and other successful Edoites, many of whom took up residence in the area. Later on, Kuramae morphed into something of a centre for craftspeople – an aspect that’s still very much present, especially with the recent increase in young designers and other creatives calling the area home. Begin your exploration of this riverside ’hood around midday with the aim to be back at Kuramae Station before 7pm. First walk just a minute from exit A1 of the station to reach Matsuki Shoten (2-4-3 Kuramae, Taito-ku). Found a stone’s throw from Sumida River, where the city’s best-known summer fireworks festival has been held since 1733, Matsuki deals in colourful explosives of all shapes and sizes. The shop also carries a range of traditional toys and decorative items, just in case you prefer something non-combustible. Just a block further along Edo-dori sits Koncent (2-4-5 Kuramae, Taito-ku), which serves as the home base for H Concept, a company involved in design consulting for a wide range of Japanese manufacturing businesses. The trendy store stands out in its surroundings, with the all-white interior decorated with cool knickknacks from all over Japan. Take your pick of items from super-soft

As Japanese architecture has traditionally envisioned buildings as temporary and expendable, in part due to the constant threat of fires and earthquakes, Tokyo has been left with fewer examples of historic architecture than places like Europe and the UK. Nevertheless, the neighbouring districts of Marunouchi and Ginza still contain a number of buildings that have, through a combination of luck and love, managed to stay standing, providing an ideal opportunity to enjoy a walk around town and see a blend of old and new architecture. Our starting point today is Tokyo Station (1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku), which suffered damage but survived the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 as well as bombings during World War II. Recently restored to its original 1914 splendour, the station building has a beautifully designed roof featuring twin domes, which boast spectacular ceilings. The roof was built with slate from Ogatsu, a city damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and thus symbolises the hope for the area’s recovery. Walking south from here, you will see the Tokyo International Forum (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku), easily recognisable by its huge, glass, boat-shaped atrium. This building, which was constructed during the bubble economy, cost more to build than both Tokyo Skytree and Shinjuku’s Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Next, passing under the Yamanote line railway tracks and entering Ginza, you’ll spot a tall rectangular building with irregularly sh

Having a hard time making your city apartment look homely? Fun and wallet-friendly solutions are near at hand at Tokyo's many DIY shops, many of which cater to everyone from absolute beginners to veteran do-it-yourselfers. Draw up a plan, decide on a budget and join us on a tour of the best hardware stores, home improvement retailers and variety outlets in the city. And if you need a little inspiration first, check out these creative Tokyo apartments or visit a speciality shopping district.