Crafts Made in Japan by Japanese artists

Shopping in 2k540

Crafts Made in Japan by Japanese artists

Sure, there are tons of places to shop. But, if you are looking for one-and-only, hand made in Japan by Japanese artist, it is not that easy to find.
Why not try Tokyo artisan`s street, 2k540, set beneath the JR rail road between Akihabara and Okachimachi?
Address: 5-9-23 Ueno, Taitoku, Tokyo

Here are some pictures from the shopping street with about 50 stores. Very quiet, hard to believe it`s below the JR rail.

Tibits:

2k540 signals that this location is about 2.540 kilometers from Tokyo station. This space was used as a parking lot and storage space.
Originally, this area was full of craftsman and artists, specializing in traditional Japanese crafts, back in the Edo period. Now, there are still some shops left specializing in jewelry, leather goods and so on.
To vitalize this area, 2k540 was set up to propose a new kind of lifestyle. It is full of unique shops and studios.
Official homepage: http://www.jrtk.jp/　(there is an English page, but translated with a machine. Quality is low)

Here are my 3 recommendations:

1)TAKATORIYAKI ONIMARU SETSUZAN KAMAMOTO (Ceramics from Fukuoka, Kyushu)

Originally focusing on creating tea ceremony utensils, they started in 1630 as one of the seven ceramic houses. They originally learned from the Korean expert and has strict rules, such as using wood fire only. Now, they also make everyday goods like tea/coffee/sake cups, dishes and so on. Made from the natural ingredients from the earth near holy Mt. Hiko, it has a beautiful natural glaze, one of the unique features. Also, it is very light and easy to use.
Some pictures from the shop:

> Visit Official Website

Here is what I bought: sake container (I plan to use it to put soba noodle dipping soup as well)

(price Y3,400)

2) MAITO (natural dyes, fashion and other items)
Made from natural materials and dyes using plant and flowers, based on techniques and tradition from the olden days. They only use natural ingredients, made by hand in Fukuoka and Tokyo. All items are unique, different in colors. Find you favorite!
Official homepage: http://maitokomuro.com/
All natural ingredients from nature

What I bought: scarf dyed with sakura (cherry blossom). These products are truly unique and beautiful. (pink color from small branches and blossoms while beige is from the bark. Takes over 100 days to extract the colors!)

(price: Y6000)

3) NIJIYURA (dyeing factory, hand towels, cotton goods)
Special dye technique called `chu-sen`. Based in Sakai/Osaka.
Official homepage: http://nijiyura.com/
(only in Japanese, but still beautiful to look at. )

What I bought:
Beautiful tenugui (towel) with Zodiac sign Aries)

Gauze towel (ground cherry design)

Tibit 2:

SUSHI LUNCH (chirashi sushi for lunch)
EDO FUJI
Address: 2-7-7 Yushima Bunkyoku
https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1310/A131002/13071145/

About a 5 minute walk from here, very small sushi place, serving huge portion, with lots of sashimi on top of the rice. Only Y1000. And Y200 for miso soup full of everything.