(Image credit: Julia Nascimento, Instagram: ns_julia)
April 2018 was the month where I participated in a group show for the very first time with Tokyo Collective also known as “トコ”.
What's Tokyo Collective?
Tokyo Collective is a group of local artists, foreign and Japanese that come together every few months to collaborate on a quarterly magazine, published by the artists' themselves. The purpose of this group is to offer a platform for artists to work together on an exciting project and create something beautiful.
(Image credit: Julia Nascimento, Instagram: ns_julia)
I was really lucky to be able to be apart of their very first publication called "Hajime". The literally meaning of "Hajime はじめ” means "to begin" which perfectly coincided with the artist brief we were given which was to recall our first impressions of when we first moved to Tokyo.
For me, I focused mainly on food illustrations as I was the most surprised by the ingredients and the whole dining culture in Tokyo in general.
(Image credit: Julia Nascimento, Instagram: ns_julia)
Many of the artists were from totally different backgrounds, some were originally Japanese but had grown up in an entirely different prefecture, some came from overseas but had already experienced the expat life in another part of Japan before coming to Tokyo and there were artists like me, who came to Tokyo from abroad. Everyone had their own unique backstory and it was really interesting to discover more about what each person wanted to share.
(Image credit: Julia Nascimento, Instagram: ns_julia)
(Image credit: Julia Nascimento, Instagram: ns_julia)
(Own Image)
If you'd like to get your hands on a copy you can visit my online shop at
So you are in Tokyo for a short while and you need to get your art supply fix in a short space of time. Then, you have come to the right blog!
Here's a concise list of the best places I've found in and around Tokyo. These stores mainly focus on traditional art supplies rather than stationary. Although, some of the stores mentioned do carry cute stationary supplies too if you are in need. Let's get started!
1) TOKYU HANDS
Locations in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro
Tokyu Hands is a well-known brand that is one of the best one-stop solutions for all your art and stationery needs. They have several locations all over Tokyo and the rest of Japan, but the most frequented store with the most variety is their Shibuya branch. Prepare your wallets as this store has floors and floors of art supplies, beauty, stationery, DIY, travel goods and more. If you only have a few hours to spare for shopping then this is the place for you.
2) TOOLS
Locations in Shinjuku, Ochanomizu
Tools is another incredible chain that mainly sells art supplies from Japan. You'll find that each store caters to a different audience. For those that are really into drawing comic art and anime, you'll love what you find at the Tools' Shinjuku location found in one of the shopping malls by Shinjuku JR station.
The other store based in Ochanomizu only minutes away from the station houses a lot of popular Japanese brands of traditional art materials for watercolour art, oils, pastels, gouache, acrylic and Japan's recent new variation of acryl-gouache.
3) BUMPOUDO
Location in Jimbocho
Another incredible art supply store based in the heart of Tokyo's second-hand bookselling district is Bumpoudo. You can find this store just a few minutes away from Jimbocho station, and this store is teeming with traditional art supplies that you may not find at the previous two mentioned. If you have a bit of extra time or you want to explore a new side of Tokyo apart from the ever-bustling Shibuya and Shinjuku. This store is a great place for you to get lost in. You can even enjoy a nice quiet coffee in one of the many nearby cafes built for those book lovers roaming the streets.
4) SEKAIDO
Location in Shinjuku-Sanchome
Sekaido is one of the major art supply stores in Tokyo that carries EVERYTHING. The nearest station to this store is Shinjuku-sanchome station along the Tokyo Metro line. It's also a short walk away from the Shinjuku JR station. It has your usual stationery and filing supplies on the first floor, but the main gems are found on the upper levels where you'll find Japanese and foreign art supply brands, artbooks and printing services. On the top floor, they also have a very sophisticated framing service too. If you really want to get into the meat of art supplies, easels and all, I recommend you visit this store first.
5) LEMON GINZA
Location in Ochanomizu
Lemon Ginza is another great store not too far form Tools' Ochanomiza store branch. This shop is my favourite store to visit to get my watercolour painting supply fix. They mainly cater to the nearby Architecture school as they have architect student supplies on the second floor. What I love about this place is that they not only have some incredible Japanese brands but some great French brands too. You'll find a well-balanced variety of quality sketchbooks, paper, colouring pencils, brushes, inks and other stationery.
If you need a bit of help getting to each of these store locations, I've also created a video on my youtube channel taking you to each of these shops. Enjoy!
