asking for trouble

Tokyo Shopping Guide: Fabric Town

Nippori

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.

japanese kawaii fabric - marcelinesmith

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)

yuzawaya

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


japan guides and books

Want more Japan tips? Check out my Japan guides and ebooks.

marceline

Hello! I’m Marceline Smith, the designer and owner of Asking For Trouble. I create illustrated stationery, accessories and gifts using my cute characters inspired by Japanese kawaii. This is my business and personal blog where I write about my creative doings, inspirations, travels, Japan trips and daily life. Read more »


Browse the archives

Buy my stuff

other things I Do

COPYRIGHT

All text, photos and illustrations are © Marceline Smith 2007-2024 unless credited otherwise. You may repost my images with full credit and link. However, do not reproduce full posts without my permission or use my images or writing for commercial purposes. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER

All opinions are my own and I am not compensated or sponsored for writing about any products or services featured unless stated in the post. Links to shops and websites may be affiliate links – I receive a small commission from your orders at no cost to you, which helps me fund this site. I do not accept advertising.