Look for Japanese-style knick-knacks created by craftsmen in Akihabara! -3 recommended shops near Akihabara Sta.

Akihabara area used to have waterways for transportation, and there was Japan’s largest fruit and vegetable market in front of Akihabara Station from 1928 to 1989. Since lots of merchants gathered in this area, it was also developed as a ‘manufacturing city’ filled with shops creating Japanese traditional crafts by craftsmen’s hands. When strolling in the modern landscape with skyscrapers, you can find shops whose people pass down their traditional techniques. This time, we selected 3 shops allowing us to get elaborate handmade knick-knacks from among them. All of them are within 5 minutes’ walking distance from JR Akihabara Station, so why not stop by there while strolling or shopping?

The pattern and how the light is glittering are different depending on each lamp. -“Lamp Ya” where you can buy or make colorful Turkish lamps

“Lamp Ya (らんぷ屋)” is a shop specializing in traditional lamps of Turkey which were used in palaces and mosques at the Ottoman era continuing for about 600 years from 1299. Lamps with different designs, including ones imported directly from Turkey and their original ones, are displayed on the wall and ceiling. There are a great variety of types such as stand type and hanging type. Adorable lamps decorated with colored glass and mirrors, beads and so on gives off a gentle light and create a relaxing and fantastic space. In addition, they also hold events to experience making lamps. It seems that we can make a lamp as large as a softball in a few hours. How about immersing yourself in the memories of your trip while illuminating your home with your original handmade lamp?

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 8:00PM （It closes at 6:00PM on Friday)　Closed Thursday
Address	3-21-6-102 Kanda Sakuma-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 4-minute walk from Akihabara Station／A 7-minute walk from Akihabara Washington Hotel
URL	https://lampya2015.wixsite.com/lampya01

Long-time use gives an additional charm to items -“Hacoa” creating wooden general goods from interior to work items

Do you know Sabae city in Fukui prefecture which is famous for producing over 90% of the eyeglass frames distributed in Japan? “Hacoa” is a shop selling design general goods created by craftsmen ,who have specialized in making wooden lacquerware in this city, to suit the modern lifestyle. There are many wooden items catching your eyes, such as keyboards and tie pins, pen cases and watches. All of them makes us feel an elaborate craftsmanship and warmth of wood, and you’re sure to want to show off to someone. The wood will change its color and become more attractive by being cared for and used. At this shop, staff kindly tells about the properties of the wood and maintenance methods. Moreover, you can ask to insert the name of you, your friends or family.

Opening Hours	11:00AM – 7:00PM　Closed on Wednesday
Address	AKI-OKA ARTISAN J-2, 5-9-23 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station／A 11-minute walk from Akihabara Washington Hotel
URL	https://www.hacoa.com/

The couple produces traditional Japanese-style accesorries, bags and so on -“Kanda Chonko”

“Kanda Chonko (神田ちょん子)” is a shop specializing in Japanese-style knick-knacks run by a husband who was born in Asakusa and his wife who is from Kanda Suda-cho, the shop’s location. In the shop with a cozy ambiance making you feel as if you’re at home, lacquered earrings and Edo Kokeshi Doll with cute expression and figure, shoulder bags made from fire-protective clothings in the 1800s and so on are lined up. These are original handmade products of Kanda Chonko. From among them, Kanda Chonko’s recommendation is miniatures modeling traditional shops. His wife creates them by hand with her desire to preserve the old and good scenery of this city. It seems that it takes about 3 months until completing.

Opening Hours	12:00PM – 7:30PM　Irregular Holiday
Address	1-11-12-101, Kanda Suda-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station／A 8-minute walk from Akihabara Washington Hotel
URL	http://kandachonko.main.jp/index.html