Fabric Town (and Fabric Street) is exactly what it sounds like – a whole area of Tokyo which is crammed full of fabric and sewing shops! The actual area (and nearest train station) is Nippori, and Fabric Town is a set of streets nearby. It’s decorated with pennants so it’s easy to find, and what you’ll find is heaven for sewists!
From huge multi-storey fabric shops to tiny side street independents, plus shops full of buttons, ribbons and notions, not to mention secondhand kimonos and vintage clothing, there probably isn’t anything you can’t find here if you look hard enough. The most difficult part will always be deciding what to leave behind.
Shopping in Nippori Fabric Town
Tomato
The biggest fabric store in Nippori with a huge range of fabrics and prices – if you can only fit in one shop, start here. See my full post »
Tomato Discount Shop
Directly across the road from Tomato is a Tomato discount shop, where you can pick up some bargains.
Kumagai
Also opposite Tomato is this amazing button shop – there’s so many shapes and sizes to choose from, you might be here a while! They also had some fabric on sale, including cheap remnants.
Elegance
A great find by Erin of A Dress A Day, this shop stocks lots of Liberty brand fabric, including some Japan-only designs. See her post for directions (in the comments)
What else to see?
This list is just a fraction of what’s available – if you wander around there are tons of stores selling fabric, trims, buttons, appliques, clothing and much more.
Getting Around
Fabric Town is a few minutes walk from the East exit of JR Nippori station – look for the big Fabric Town pennants. Many shops are closed on Sundays so plan ahead.
Last updated: 15 May 2017
Useful Links & Guides
- My Tokyo Shopping Guide (craft & kawaii shopping in Tokyo and beyond)
- Cashmerette (fabric and yarn shopping in Tokyo & Kyoto)
- Tilly and the Buttons (fabric shopping in Tokyo & Kyoto)
- My Japan Trips (more links and guides)
- Planning For Japan (my Japan guide with 200+ shops, cafes and places of interest plus tips and resources to help you plan the perfect trip!
