I’ve now spent two days in Tokyo, although I’m operating at half-speed due to jet lag and relying on adrenaline to carry me through. As you will see from the pictures here, we’ve visited several of the major Tokyo Stationery Stores, including Itoya and Maruzen; the Sailor boutique Ancora; and a handful of smaller market-stall stores. We also stopped by the TRAVELER’s Factory Store and the Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Store (known for its TRAVELER’s Company collaborations and special edition stationery products). To be honest, the past couple of days have been overwhelming, without much time to digest everything I’ve seen into a comprehensive post. Tokyo easily has more stationery than any city I’ve ever visited, so for now, enjoy some pictures I managed to snap. More to come!
The flagship Itoya store has a diorama featuring a model of their original storefront. There’s been a big history component to this trip in addition to pure shopping.
Yes, that is an entire wall of 6-ring binder refills.
We spent a Saturday afternoon exploring a market area with a local fountain pen enthusiast who was kind enough to show us around! Several of the stalls featured fountain pens - mostly modern and late-vintage pens.
A case full of fountain pens in one market stall.
I managed to pick up another now-discontinued Pilot Capless in the Japan-only Mustard Yellow color, with the special alloy nib.
We had to wait in line to enter the TRAVELER’S Store. Demand doesn’t seem to be slowing down globally….
These glass pens were mostly house exclusives to Tsutaya Books, located near the TRAVELER’S Factory Store.
Don’t forget our memorial day weekend sale!
Through Monday evening (5/25), take 10% off Paper and Ink in our online shop using “TOKYO10” at checkout. We are also open in the Nashville store regular hours, 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-5pm Saturday. Be sure to come by and say hello to Lisa and Nick!
In addition to our physical store, the Gentleman Stationer is supported by online purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. For more Japan store visits, haul posts, and just some general commentary and observations from a place I’ve never visited before, be sure to follow the TGS Instagram and YouTube accounts!