RETURN TO OVERSEAS SHOPS
Tshushin (the Japanese quilting mag) carries ads for many many Japanese quilting shops and mail order supplies . It is written in Japanese but a hotel reception etc would be able to translate. The mag is carried in the better book shops and quilt stores.
Many of the Japanese department stores have small amounts of quilting
fabrics. It's worth checking the store directories if you're passing by.
Problem with finding your way around in Japan is that the streets don't have names!
Have the name written out and don't be afraid to ask for directions or phone shop for directions. In a lot of cases there is someone who speaks a bit of English.
I found Mimu on the web, I wrote to the person who wrote the english version and she sent me some shops.
*Every* tourist shop has fabric - designer fine handkerchiefs, tenugui (loosely woven Jap design fabric used as headbands or handcloths) or furoshiki - large fabric squares like scarves, used for wrapping objects. All reasonably priced.
For brilliant helpful information in English, for anyone touring Japan, visit www.jnto.go.jp and just look up the city of your choice for very detailed info. This other site www.japan-guide.com has heaps of info as well, and the forums are terrific. You can ask - how can I get from Takayama to Shirakawago by bus, and either other travellers, or official Japanese tourism people will answer you.
The following shops can be reached by train from Shinjuku. JR Chuo line. Hop off at Kichijoji sation.
The best quilting shop is Quilt House Yama ...... totally dedicated to the quilter. Most stuff comes from the US, prices are OK for Japan and also some japanese cottons......
has moved to across the other side of the railway line.(Under the trainline and turn right. It's set below street level)). I grabbed a new business card, but guess what? It's all in Japanese! I can read the
hone number though, 0422-49-5001.
Not far away from here is Cotton Field. We asked at Quilt House Yama and were given a map with directions marked on by assistant. (042-21-1406)
Also in this area is Yuzawa-ya A big building in front of the station, dealing with every kind of hand-craft and art materials. P/w is found on 4th floor.
Omoshiroya
(0422-22-8565)
1-11-21-101 Higashi-Machi
Kichijoji
Musashino
is a small store which deals in antique fabrics and used kimonos.
Hearts and Hands
6-28-5-2F Jingu-Mae
Shibuya-Ku
Tokyo
03- 498-6361
Train to Meiji Shrine.
There are other Yuzawa-ya stores around. Went also to one at URAWA. This was also close to the station.
Another place worth looking at in Japan is the
Hankyu Department Store in Osaka.
It is west of JR Osaka train station. Look for the big, red ferris wheel. They
have a large amount of quilting fabrics and notions on the top floor, in the
craft department. Also Pokemon fabric (for us mothers in the know!) Country
Quilt Market
3-6-2 Nishiogi-Minami
Suginami-Ku
Tokyo 167
Tel 03-5370-8383
Liked this shop, but they wouldn't let us take photos. Had lots of old American
Quilts hanging around. Fabric predominately American again, but lots of Japanese
too. Nic-nacs made shopping interesting here.
Tokyo Hand is the most amazing place for anyone intested in any handwork. Just the biggest dept. stores devoted to handcrafts. 8 floors at the Shibuya store. Just visiting the Shibuya station is mind-blowing. They estimate that over 2 million people go through here daily!!!
Places like Tokyo Hands and Yusawaya are not really quilting
shops. They are chain stores..... Tokyo Hands is a diy and crafts of
all kinds so while it carries a small amount of fabric and quilting supplies
it is very limited.
Yusawaya is a fabric shop and crafts..... more fabric than TH but mainly
aimed at the dressmaker, so there is a very wide selection of fabrics of all
types. Not just cottons..... and Seibu also has P/W sections.
