I Try DIY

Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

May 7, 2015

It’s definitely difficult not to fall in love with Japan. This year, I headed over to Osaka again for a two-week work & play adventure. Last year, I was still finding and learning my way around the city, so my search for craft supplies was quite limited. This year, I checked out new places and discovered that there was so much I was missing. Since there’s been this great Japan invasion this year, I thought I’d share with you fellow crafter a few of my favorite spots. Here’s quick Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to buy in Osaka.

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka
Here are some tips before shopping:

–Β  Addresses are not necessarily sequential in Japan, so a map is your best bet!
–Β  Learn the phrase “_Store Name_ doko desuka?” Most locals are willing to help with directions!
–Β  Always bring your passport with you! Most stores allow for tax-free shopping, up to 10%, depending on how much you purchase.
–Β  If you’re not the type of person who can curb low EQ, best to leave your credit card at home! You might end up spending way more than you intended to. Trust me!

 

MUJI

Branches to visit: Grand Front Osaka (Osaka-Umeda Station) or Namba Center Bldg (Namba Station)
Basic supplies are also available at most Family Mart branches
Muji is a treasure trove for all things minimalist. Be it clothes, furniture, homeware or supplies, you’re bound to fall in love with the simplicity of all their goods. Muji is my go-to for notebooks and pens. Although Muji is available in the Philippines, I still stocked up on supplies because they’re so much cheaper! I love that the コンビニ (konbini) has them!

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

 

DAISO

Branches to visit: Namba (DenDen Town) and Kobe (near Train Station)
How can you go wrong when everything costs 100 Yen? The Daiso branches I visited were multi-level! Think five, six, maybe seven floors. I managed to score yarn, wool roving, jewelry charms, sumi ink, japanese brush calligraphy paper, and a bunch of random kiddie toys. Much like Muji, Daiso is available in Manila. However, there is a definite difference in cost, store size and product variety!

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

 

YUZAWAYA

Branches to visit: Daimaru Shinsaibashi (Shinsaibashi Station) and Kobe (near Train Station)
Yuzawaya was my #1 shopping spot when I visited Osaka last year. Their stores carry paint, watercolor, aquash watercolor bush pens, stamps, fabric, yarn and craft kits. I noticed that each branch seemed to have a “specialty” craft, so don’t expect to see the same things over and over. They hold craft workshops every so often, so definitely check their schedules. I’m pretty sure the classes will be taught in Japanese though. Wakanai!

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

 

U-ARTS

Branch to visit: Namba (Den Den Town) near AKB48 Cafe (Namba Station)

I lucked out on this little gem of a shop. I walked right past it one day without even realizing it was full of arts and crafts supplies. U-Arts sells COPIC pens, Kuretake brush pens and water brushes, calligraphy holsters and nibs, watercolor and acrylic sets, paint brushes, paper punchers, washi tape, washi paper, notebooks, sketchpads, watercolor pads and so much more. Pay attention to their signs, even if they’re written in Japanese. They often offer discounts when you purchase more than three or five pieces of a certain thing. If you’re a cat lover, this is a must-visit. Their store is filled with all sorts of cat stationery: washi tape, photo booth props, stamps, notebooks, notepads, stamps and pencils. The shop also has one floor serving as an art gallery, and another as a work or craftspace.

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka
I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

 

TOKYU HANDS

Branches to visit: Q’Mall (Tennoji) and Daimaru Umeda (Osaka-Umeda Station)
I didn’t find much in Tokyu Hands when I visited Osaka last year. Maybe I just wasn’t looking hard enough! This year, I scored a whole lot of goodies. Skip the aisles of makeup and home goods, and head right over to their Design & Art corners. I was able to snag gold Kuretake brush pens, and silver and gold watercolor paint dishes! While combing through the racks of art supplies, I also found 000 and 00 tip paint brushes. You can also buy calligraphy nibs in packs of 10’s for cheap. If you’re a fan of GACHA (surprise eggs), Tokyu Hands usually has rows upon rows of cute ones!

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

 

ABC CRAFT

Branches to visit: Q’Mall (Tennoji)
If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, it might be best to head on over to Q’Mall to visit ABC Craft and Tokyu Hands in one go. ABC Craft is the all encompassing craft store. They had nearly anything you’ll ever need. They had aisles and aisles of scrapbooking supplies, beads, jewelry findings, yarn and thread, fabric (♥ the traditional Chinese and Japanese prints!), paint, brushes, wooden goods, home stuff and oodles and oodles of craft kits. Most craft stores I’ve visited often offer scheduled workshops. ABC Craft was different. They had these stations at every area of the store! They were ready to teach an assortment of crafts at any given point. There were tables of scrapbookers, painters, jewelry makers and knitters!

I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka
I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka I Try DIY | Arts and Crafts Supplies Guide: Where to Buy in Osaka

 

I hope this helps you out! Just don’t blame me if you don’t have any space for your clothes when you head back home. Happy Crafting! πŸ™‚

 

mikkomix

11 Comments

  1. Reply

    Jade

    September 12, 2017

    Hello, I was wondering if you knew where to get colorful tissue paper? Preferably in bulk. I’m making a lot of flowers for many of my students and I’m having a hard time looking for them. Daiso has them but only in small quantities per package. If anyone happens to know, please let me know. Thank you!

  2. Reply

    Debbie

    May 31, 2017

    You may also like Sasabe. It is an artist’s dream store of cheapness. They have tons of different sized frames and lots of paints and brushes. Not so much craft stuff but good for visual artists.
    It is around Springer over Sakai Suji. Don’t be afraid of the adult shops in the area. I think that is what makes it so cheap.

    https://maps.apple.com/?address=17-4,%20Shimanouchi%202-Ch%C5%8Dme,%20Chuo-Ku,%20Osaka,%20Osaka,%20Japan%20542-0082&ll=34.668748,135.506661&t=m

  3. Reply

    Dwita

    February 1, 2017

    Do you know any store called “Dream” in Osaka? It sells Zpagetti yarns.

    • Reply

      mikkomix

      February 1, 2017

      Hi! I’m not familiar with that store in Osaka. I do know that Zpagetti is sold at DMC here in the Philippines though. πŸ™‚

  4. Reply

    Pookie

    January 31, 2017

    Thanks for sharing. I’ll try Tokyu hand next time I visit Osaka

  5. Reply

    Marz

    September 19, 2016

    This is super helpful. Thanks for sharing, Mikko!

  6. Reply

    Linda

    September 7, 2016

    Hi do you know where in Tokyo or Osaka that I can buy potters supplies?
    I’m particularly after the decal transfer tissue paper (used to transfer. Design onto pots before firing – works a bit like a kids paper tattoo)
    Thanks
    Linda
    Spencerlinda@live.com

  7. Reply

    rachel

    August 9, 2016

    hi! i super love this post. been looking for this kind of post forever.. and yours is very helpful! im in osaka today and would love to visit all of them if its possible. lots of love!

    • Reply

      mikkomix

      August 9, 2016

      You’re very welcome. πŸ™‚ I had a hard time looking for shops when I first visited, so I decided to put together a list after my second visit. Enjoy! Would love to know what you end up buying.

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