Best stationery stores in Tokyo

The ultimate destination for paper sniffers, Papier Labo is filled with all sorts of stationery from letterpress to card sets and other paper-related items. Papier Labo also provides servies such as custom business cards, rubber stamps and other print-worthy goodness. Many of these items make great gifts, such as the cool card stands, modern memo clips, playing cards, sleek pen cases and more. After a shopping spree at this fun stationery shop, you'll have the most stylish office around. 

If you just can’t get enough of stationery, this store is your happy place. Ginza Itoya sells everything from regular stationery and Japanese calligraphy goods to fancy fountain pens, designer paper, art tools, and more. The first eight floors are reserved for shopping and are divided by function (think 'home', 'desk', etc), while the higher floors host a business lounge and an urban vegetable farm with salad leaves grown in hydroponic bins (the greens are then used in the dishes served in the café on the 12th floor). You can also get your mail sorted on the second floor: purchase your cards and letters, write and decorate them at a designated space, and then send them off at the in-store postal area. 

An import stationer in Kichijoji, Giovanni feels like a museum of treasures for those excited by trinkets like 'aristocratic' seals with wax, replicas of medieval astronomy paraphernalia or novelty goods from the Medicis' collection. The shop owner boasts an extensive collection of traditional European stationery – think feather pens, parchment paper and extremely official-looking seals – some of which are only available here in Tokyo. You can also order a custom seal stamp here at the store.

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 about ten minutes, with an infinitely customisable selection of covers, paper and bindings available.

Japanese paper and incense specialist Kyukyodo opened its first shop in Kyoto back in 1663 and supplied products to the Imperial Palace during the Edo period. Till today, the shop is still run by the Kumagai family that founded it. The Ginza main store is known for its distinctive arched brick entrance and sells incense alongside a selection of seasonal gift cards and lots of small, moderately priced items such as gift boxes, notebooks and bookmarks made from colourful washi. The interior and setup may be decidedly old-fashioned, but don't be deterred by that: you're very likely to walk out with a high quality Japanese souvenir.