Japanese Stationery Haul: Best Stationery Stores in Tokyo

Tokyo is a dream destination for stationery lovers, and this Japanese stationery haul is packed with discoveries from some of the best stationery stores in Tokyo. From high-end shops in Ginza to hidden gems like 36 Sublo in Kichijoji, each stop in this Tokyo stationery shopping journey offered unique finds and memorable experiences. Whether you’re a journaler, scrapbooker, or planner enthusiast, this Tokyo stationery shopping guide will give you an insider’s look into Japan’s vibrant stationery scene.

In this post, I’m sharing part one of my stationery haul: a look into the best stationery stores in Tokyo, a deep dive into the 19 rolls of washi tape I picked up, and a quick review of the 14 sticker sheets and flake seals I brought home. I’ll be covering more of the items I bought in future posts, so keep an eye out if you’re curious about planner accessories, stamps, and more.

Here’s a quick overview of what this post includes:

1. Reviews of each store (Hands, Itoya, 36 Sublo, Daiso, Seria)
2. My washi tape haul (where they came from, first impressions)
3. Highlights of the stickers and flake seals I picked up

Stationery Stores I Shopped in Tokyo

Itoya (Ginza)

Itoya’s flagship in Ginza is a must-visit for any stationery enthusiast. Spanning eight floors, each level is themed: one for pens, one for notebooks, one for cards and wrapping, and so on. The atmosphere inside is peaceful despite the location being in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts. I focused on their selection of washi tapes, stamps, and refills this time. It’s also a great place to browse even if you’re not shopping—everything is beautifully organized, and the quality is top-notch. Though I didn’t find as many MT tapes as I hoped, the store still felt like a stationery museum in the best way.

Tokyu Hands (Ginza)

Just a few minutes’ walk from Itoya, Tokyu Hands in Ginza is another large and well-stocked option. Unlike Itoya’s boutique-like presentation, Hands has a more casual and variety-store feel. They carry everything from pens to luggage to DIY tools—but their stationery section is still impressive. I explored their craft supplies, refills, and washi tape section, which included some fun finds like foil tapes and collaboration items. Though it was crowded outside, the upper floors were relaxed and easy to shop in.

36 Sublo (Kichijoji)

36 Sublo is a small, independent shop located on the second floor of a building in Kichijoji. It’s not very big, but the charm is immediate. The store is filled with retro-style paper goods, unique Japanese brands, and fun character designs. The washi tape selection is limited but thoughtfully curated. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed. I picked up two tapes here from the brand Sennokoto, which turned out to be among my favorites. If you’re planning a visit to Kichijoji, I highly recommend making time for this stop.

Daiso & Seria (100‑Yen Stores)

Daiso and Seria are everywhere in Japan, and they’re perfect for quick, affordable finds. These stores offer a wide range of stationery, from stickers and washi tapes to sticky notes and index tabs. I visited several branches during my trip and found that each store had a slightly different selection. At Daiso, I found eight washi tapes—many featuring floral and Disney themes. The quality is surprisingly good for the price. Seria also had a few cute designs, especially in stickers and flake seals. These shops are ideal for stocking up without going over budget.

My Washi Tape Haul

I ended up with 19 rolls in total. Here’s the breakdown, along with some thoughts on each:

36 Sublo

Sennokoto (White & Pink)

Folk‑art vibes with playful illustrations. I was surprised by how much tape comes on each roll—it looks like I could use these for ages! Each roll was 264 yen, which felt like a great deal considering the generous length and quality. The colors pop nicely on both white and kraft‑colored paper.

Mizushima “おじさん”

Quirky, hand‑drawn characters on a matte texture. I can’t remember if I got it here or at Hands, but I love the offbeat design. The adhesiveness is weaker than I’d like, so I use it mostly for journals or scrapbooking rather than sealing envelopes. This was actually the most expensive washi tape I bought during the trip—it was 550 yen.

Kiddy Land (Kichijoji)

Bread Thief

A whimsical design featuring a raccoon stealing bread. It’s a narrower tape, but the print is crisp, and it adds a fun pop of humor to planner spreads. I spotted it after leaving 36 Sublo and just couldn’t resist.

Hands & Itoya

mt x Lisa Larson

I had hoped for a bigger variety of mt designs, but both stores had fewer than I expected. I ended up buying one mt tape, a collaboration with Lisa Larson. It features a really unique design with charming cats—definitely a standout from the more standard patterns. As always with mt, the adhesion is reliable and the print quality is excellent.

Coffee-Themed Set

I came across a pack of four washi tapes that featured various coffee-related designs—think coffee cups, beans, and cozy café vibes. As someone who loves coffee, I couldn’t resist picking it up. The patterns are all slightly different, making it feel like four unique mini tapes in one set. They’ll be perfect for decorating morning routine spreads or pairing with food-themed journaling pages.

Shinzi Katoh “Frog & Cow” (Foil)

I fell in love with this froggy foil tape at first sight. After opening it, though, I was disappointed by how little tape was on the roll for the price (about 320 yen). Its stickiness is also somewhat mild, similar to the Mizushima tape.

Daiso (8 Rolls)

Flower Patterns & Disney Themes

These cost only 100–110 yen each, yet the print quality is excellent. The floral patterns are soft and pretty, perfect for spring‑themed spreads, while the Disney tapes feature classic characters that add a charming touch to letters or gifts. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they adhere to most paper surfaces. Definitely a highlight of my Japanese stationery haul.

Here are some of the swatches of the washi tapes I bought:

Sticker & Flake Seal Highlights

Besides washi tape, I picked up several sticker sheets and a pack of flake seals—mostly from Daiso, Hands, and Seria. I looked for:

• Basic shapes (circles, hearts) for labeling and layering under photos. I also bought some of these during my last visit to Japan and absolutely loved how versatile they were, so I made sure to stock up on them again this time.
• Cute animal designs (cats, birds, rabbits) in soft watercolor styles that pair nicely with my floral washi tapes. The cat ones were absolutely adorable—I ended up grabbing two of them!
• Sheets to use as backgrounds for mini or instax‑size photos, adding a simple decorative border. These sticker sheets are from Gaia Stationery, and they have a washi-tape-like texture that feels soft and matte. I love how subtle and versatile the designs are—they work well as layering elements or background frames in my journal.

I also grabbed a pack of white rabbit flake stickers, which were too cute to pass up. Each sticker features a different rabbit pose or expression, and they add a charming, playful touch to journal spreads. The adhesive seems decent so far, and none have peeled off my journal pages yet.

First Look at My Japanese Stationery Haul

Even though I went to Tokyo with a plan to buy specific items—like binder refills and indexes—I couldn’t resist these washi tapes and stickers. The variety is amazing, from the folk‑art style of Sennokoto to the adorable Disney themes at Daiso. The “Bread Thief” tape is a new favorite for its playful vibe, and the Sennokoto rolls stand out for their generous length. This post is just the beginning of my Japanese stationery haul—I’ll be sharing even more finds and favorites from Tokyo’s best stationery stores soon!