Okadaya Shinjuku: My Visit to a Must-See Tokyo Craft Store

Okadaya Shinjuku had been on my Tokyo craft shopping list for a while, but I missed my chance during my 2025 trip because I thought the new store had not opened yet. I was also already planning to visit Yuzawaya Kamata at the time, so I ended up saving Okadaya for another trip.

This time, I knew I wanted to finally stop by, especially since our hotel was near Shinjuku Station. In this post, I’m sharing what it was like to visit Okadaya Shinjuku, what I found on each floor, the craft supplies I bought, and how it compared with Yuzawaya Kamata for yarn, fabric, beads, sewing tools, kits, and cosplay materials.

Getting There: Why the Shinjuku Location Worked So Well

The location was one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed visiting Okadaya Shinjuku. Since I was staying near Shinjuku Station, I could go there quickly without setting aside a huge part of the day. That made the visit feel very low-pressure.

For travelers, this is a big advantage. Shinjuku is already a major shopping area, so Okadaya can easily be combined with other stops. In the same building or nearby area, there are character shops like Kiddy Land, Chiikawa Land, and the Disney Store. The lower floors had character shops and cute goods, so even before reaching the craft floors, the building already felt fun to explore.

This makes Okadaya a good stop not only for crafters, but also for people traveling with family or friends who may not be as interested in yarn and fabric. Someone can browse character goods while another person spends time in the craft sections. Since Shinjuku also has department stores, clothing shops, and many other places to visit, Okadaya fits nicely into a broader Tokyo shopping day.

What You Can Find at Okadaya Shinjuku

Okadaya Shinjuku is spread across several floors, and each floor has a different focus. Since I was mostly interested in yarn, knitting and crochet tools, beads, fabric, buttons, and small craft supplies, I spent the most time on the craft and sewing floors. I still looked around up to the 10th floor, but some sections were more for browsing than actual shopping for me.

6F: Yarn, Embroidery, Beads, and Craft Supplies

The 6th floor was the section I was most excited to visit. This floor had yarn, embroidery supplies, beads, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and other craft materials. Compared with some stores where tools are spread out or harder to locate, this area felt easy to browse because many of the knitting and crochet tools I had been looking for were gathered together.

The yarn section was also fun to look through, especially because there was a good amount of Rowan yarn. I did not go in with a strict yarn shopping list, but seeing the colors and textures in person was still enjoyable. The bead section had some overlap with what I had seen at Yuzawaya, but there were still plenty of kits and small materials to browse if you enjoy accessory-making or bead projects.

7F: Lace, Ribbons, and Cosplay Parts

The 7th floor had lace, ribbons, trims, and many decorative materials that could be useful for costumes, accessories, doll clothing, or detailed handmade projects.

I do not make cosplay items myself, so I mostly browsed this floor out of curiosity. Even so, it was interesting to see how many different textures, colors, and decorative parts were available. If you are into costume-making or cosplay, this floor would probably be much more useful than it was for me.

8F: Sewing Supplies and Buttons

The 8th floor focused more on sewing supplies and buttons. There were many small notions, tools, and finishing details for sewing and garment projects. The button section was also quite large, with different styles, sizes, colors, and materials to choose from.

I always find buttons easier to choose in person because photos do not always show the exact color, shine, thickness, or weight. Even if you are not sewing a garment from scratch, this floor is worth checking if you are looking for buttons, closures, or small details to finish a handmade piece.

9F: Fabric

The 9th floor was the main fabric section, and this was one of the floors that matched my personal taste the most. Fabric shopping is very subjective, but I found several prints and textures that caught my eye.

Compared with a very large fabric section where it can feel overwhelming, this floor felt easier for me to browse. There was still plenty to look through, but it did not feel impossible to narrow things down. If you like sewing, bag-making, small fabric crafts, or handmade accessories, this floor is definitely worth taking your time with.

10F: Costume and Cosplay Fabrics

The 10th floor seemed more focused on costume and cosplay fabrics. I only browsed this floor briefly, but it had materials that felt different from the everyday fabric section. There were more fabrics and supplies that seemed useful for stage outfits, costumes, and cosplay projects.

This was not the main section for my own shopping style, but it made Okadaya feel different from a general craft store. Even as someone who does not know much about cosplay, I could tell that Okadaya has a strong selection for people who make costumes.

11F: Rental Workshop and Event Space

The 11th floor was listed as a rental workshop and event space. I did not visit this floor, but it was good to know that the store also has space for events or creative activities beyond regular shopping.

What I Bought at Okadaya Shinjuku

My shopping at Okadaya was a mix of planned purchases and small discoveries. I did not go in with a strict list, but I knew I wanted to look for knitting tools, beads, fabric, buttons, and anything interesting that I might not easily find back home.

Beads and Ring Kits

From the bead section, I bought two ring kits and a few beads that looked pretty. I have been interested in small accessory projects, and ring kits felt like a manageable way to try something without committing to a huge project.

The bead selection did overlap with what I had seen at Yuzawaya, so this may not be the most unique part of Okadaya. Still, it was fun to browse, and I liked that I could pick up a few small kits while also shopping for yarn, tools, and fabric in the same building.

Knitting and Crochet Finds

One of the best parts of this visit was finding the knitting needles and crochet hooks that I had previously searched for at Yuzawaya. At Okadaya, I could see many of them gathered together, which made shopping much easier.

I also found a knitted bag pattern that caught my eye. It was not a full kit, just the pattern, but I liked the design enough to buy it.

Another memorable find was a knitted doll kit. The kit itself required a separate knitting book, so I bought the book too. Luckily, it was a book I had already wanted, so it did not feel like an unnecessary extra purchase. The kit was not exactly cheap, so I only bought one, but it felt special because it gave me both a cute project and a reason to finally get the book.

Fabric, Buttons, and Patches

I bought two fabrics from the fabric floor after spending a long time browsing. As I mentioned earlier, Okadaya’s fabric selection matched my taste better than I expected, so this was one of the most satisfying parts of my shopping trip. I also found a small cut fabric section, similar to the sale/remnant fabric area I always check at Yuzawaya, and picked up two smaller pieces there as well. Fabric bought during a trip always feels a little more special to me because it brings back memories when I use it later.

I also bought a few buttons for my current knitting project. Buttons can be surprisingly hard to choose online because color, shine, weight, and texture all matter. Seeing them in person helped me pick something that felt right for the garment.

The patch section was also fun. There were so many wappens and patches, and I ended up buying some for myself and some for my child. This was one of those sections where I did not expect to spend much time, but once I started looking, I kept finding cute options.

My First Pokeori Mini Loom

One of the items I bought that felt like a new challenge was Pokeori, a small mini loom. I had not really planned to get into weaving, but the yarn looked so pretty that I became curious. The price was around 1,000 yen, which felt reasonable for trying something new without too much pressure.

I like that it feels small and approachable. Sometimes a new craft seems intimidating because the tools and materials require too much commitment from the beginning. Pokeori felt like the opposite. It was small, cute, and affordable enough to test. If I enjoy using it, maybe I will explore weaving more in the future.

Okadaya Shinjuku vs. Yuzawaya Kamata

Since I had already visited Yuzawaya Kamata before, I could not help comparing the two stores. I do not think this is a simple matter of one being better than the other. They have different strengths, and which one is better depends on what you are looking for.

Craft Kits and Felting Supplies

For felting kits, Yuzawaya Kamata was stronger for me. When I was looking for needle felting kits, I found most of what I wanted at Yuzawaya. If someone is especially interested in felting kits or a wide range of ready-made craft kits, Yuzawaya Kamata is still a very good option.

Okadaya also had kits, but for the kinds of felting kits I wanted, Yuzawaya felt more satisfying. I also felt that Yuzawaya had more craft kits overall, although that may depend on timing and stock.

Fabric and Personal Taste

For fabric, I personally preferred Okadaya Shinjuku. This is very subjective, but the fabrics I saw at Okadaya matched my taste more closely. I found it easier to choose something I wanted to bring home.

Yuzawaya Kamata may have a larger selection, but bigger does not always mean easier to shop. Sometimes a smaller or more curated-feeling selection works better, especially when you are shopping during travel and do not want to spend hours comparing endless options.

Knitting and Crochet Tools

For knitting and crochet tools, Okadaya had most of what I wanted. I was happy to find many of the needles and hooks that I had previously searched for. That made Okadaya feel very practical and convenient.

That said, I did find some useful tools at Yuzawaya too, so I would not say one store completely replaces the other. If you are searching for something very specific, it may still depend on the branch, stock, and brand. But for my visit, Okadaya surprised me by having so many of the tools I wanted in a clean and easy-to-browse setup.

Location and Convenience

Location is where Okadaya Shinjuku clearly wins for me. Yuzawaya Kamata is exciting, but going to the Kamata branch felt like a dedicated subway trip just for that store. If you love craft shopping, that can still be worth it. But if you are traveling with limited time, it may feel like a lot.

Okadaya Shinjuku is much easier to add to a normal Tokyo itinerary. Since it is in Shinjuku, you can combine it with character shopping, department stores, clothing shops, food, and other stops. Also, Yuzawaya has multiple branches in Tokyo, and there is even one in Shinjuku! So unless you specifically want to visit the larger Kamata location, another branch may be enough.

Cosplay and Costume Supplies

Okadaya seemed especially strong for cosplay and costume supplies. I only browsed those sections because cosplay is not my main craft area, but there were many interesting materials, parts, and fabrics that I do not usually see in regular craft stores.

If you make costumes or cosplay pieces, Okadaya would probably be a very useful store. The cosplay-related sections made it feel different from Yuzawaya and gave the store its own personality.

Is Okadaya Worth Visiting?

Yes, I think Okadaya is worth visiting, especially if you are already going to be in Shinjuku. It is a great stop for people who enjoy yarn, knitting and crochet tools, fabric, beads, sewing notions, buttons, patches, craft kits, and cosplay materials.

It is also a good choice if you want a craft store that feels easy to fit into a travel day. You do not have to plan your whole day around it unless you want to. You can stop by for a short visit, or you can spend much longer browsing multiple floors.

For me, the biggest strengths were the convenient location, organized layout, tool selection, fabric section, Rowan yarn, patches, and the fun little discoveries like the doll kit and Pokeori mini loom. It may not be as large as Yuzawaya Kamata, but it had plenty to make the visit worthwhile.

Tips Before Visiting Okadaya Shinjuku

There are a few practical things I would keep in mind before visiting Okadaya Shinjuku, especially if you are going with a child, stroller, or lots of shopping bags.

Getting Between Floors

There were only two elevators, so if you need to use one, I would avoid the busiest shopping hours if possible. Waiting for the elevator can take time when the store is crowded, especially if you have bulky shopping bags. If you do not need the elevator, the escalators may be the easier option. During my visit, they felt less crowded and more convenient for moving between floors.

Strollers May Feel Tight Inside

The aisles felt fairly narrow for a stroller. It is not impossible, but it may not be the most comfortable if the store is busy. If you are visiting with a young child, I would expect tighter spaces and plan accordingly.

Give Yourself Enough Time

Even though Okadaya Shinjuku is not as large as Yuzawaya Kamata, there is still a lot to see because the store is spread across several floors. If you are interested in more than one craft category, such as yarn, beads, fabric, sewing notions, and buttons, it is easy to spend more time there than expected. I would give yourself enough time to browse slowly, especially if you want to compare materials or look through smaller items like buttons, patches, beads, and trims.

Take Photos of Sample Numbers

If you see knitted or crocheted samples hanging in the store, check whether they have pattern numbers attached, along with the pattern name and price. Some of the samples were really fun to look at, and if you find one you want to make, taking a quick photo of the number can make things much easier. Instead of trying to remember the pattern later, you can show the number at checkout and ask for it all at once.

Final Thoughts on My Visit to Okadaya Shinjuku

I had been wanting to visit Okadaya for a long time, and I am glad I finally went. It was clean, organized, convenient, and full of things I wanted to browse. Even though I had already visited multiple Yuzawaya branches before, Okadaya still felt different enough to be worth the trip.

For my personal shopping style, Okadaya worked very well. The fabric matched my taste, the knitting and crochet tools were easy to find, the yarn section was fun to browse, and the small craft finds made the visit feel special. I also liked that I could combine it with other Shinjuku shopping instead of making a long trip just for one store.

If you are visiting Tokyo and enjoy handmade projects, I would definitely consider adding Okadaya Shinjuku to your list. It is especially good if you want a convenient Tokyo craft store near Shinjuku Station where you can browse yarn, fabric, beads, sewing supplies, buttons, craft kits, and cosplay materials all in one place.