I've been to Yuzawaya in Nishikamata, Ota City (suburb of Tokyo) a few times recently and thought I'd record some notes, for my future reference and maybe yours.
Use Google Maps to train to KAMATA station. For me it takes about 45 minutes, walking and two trains, from my apartment to the store.
Exit the station via the SOUTH exit. (There is some good shopping attached to the Kamata station).
Exit the station and you see:
Walk just a couple minutes, past the McDonalds, and you will see the three Yuzawaya buildings with their vertical red signs.
Here are my rough notes:
Building Five:
Floor 1-2 - random silks, costuming materials, big bolts
Floor 3 - notions, threads, kimono silk, a pop up shop, bag making materials, leather - and a cut through to Building Six.
Building Six:
Floor 1 - baby stuff, popular fabric, cute stuff, yarn, notions, washi tape, games, little chirimen fabric swatches, a bit of everything. Can be long lines for cutting fabric.
Floor 2 - fancy trims and ribbons, knits, Liberty, special Japanese fabrics, woolens, "taupes", solids
Floor 3 - rulers, books, threads galore, buttons too. Trims, batting
Floor 4 - sashiko stuff, embroidery, yarn and knitting
Floor 5 - floral, felt, washi paper
Floor 6 - men's ware fabrics, curtains
Building Seven:
Floor 1 - jewelry making
Floor 2 - puzzles, calendars, stamps, notebooks, stationery, copy paper, etc.
I usually take the elevator to floor 4 or 5 in Building Six... and work my way down the stairs of Building Six, with a detour to Building Five floor 3. Bathrooms are clearly marked, basic, clean.
Washi paper! Expensive but so special:
You might consider getting a Yuzawaya point card - there are different tiers and this time I've sprung for the "Special Member's Card" which costs 5000 yen per year but gives you 40% off fabric and most notions. It sort of looks like a cartoon princess credit card, ha ha.
On a more serious food note, is anyone else following the New York Times Sugar Challenge? I'm making a valiant attempt.
And, finally in quilting news, over the past few months I've designed and made a batch of needle books for Amy Katoh, owner of the iconic Blue and White shop, using vintage indigo she supplied for me. Completely thrilled that they will be offered at her shop soon and I've been very busy sewing - more on that later!
Cynthia
what an awesome creative adventure! It was like being with you for the fun. The McDonalds sign is so funny. Do you find you can order in english?
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear about your needle book venture. Its fun to have a creative business.
The NYT challenge looks interesting. I'm cutting sugar and carbs again.....
You seem to navigate your way around town very well. The shops are fantastic. Hugs
ReplyDeleteWow--that shopping experience is well worth the 45 minute travel time. I think I would be overwhelmed by all the options and have to make a lot of visits--lol! The Minneapolis Tribune did a no sugar challenge last year for 30 days. I knew I would never make it that long and didn't even try. A week sounds more like a doable challenge!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, those needle books are gorgeous. I so rarely use blue, but I surely love indigo! Have fun shopping with your new card. As far as giving up sugar goes, I can give up anything but fabric! Good luck with your challenge!
ReplyDeleteWow...a trip around Tokyo fabric and notions...I loved it. And, the needle books...brilliant!!!!
ReplyDeleteThings look pretty exciting since you and Japan got close again...xo
A fabric shop that encompasses all those buildings seems pretty intimidating to me, must be old age creeping in, haha. Those little needlebooks are lovely, sounds like a perfect joint venture between yourself and Blue and White. Plus another excuse to visit there often, lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing us along on your shopping trip! So very interesting.:) The store looks like it could distract forever! Your needle books look fabulous. Lovely colors.
ReplyDeleteI love following your adventures. Makes my head spin with all of the unique information you are navigating through. Thanks for taking us along!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing resource and fun shopping venue! I would be in seventh heaven to have all those supplies in one location. Thanks for sharing all that - it was a real treat! I'm trying to get avoid sugar as much as possible, but not specifically following the NYT challenge. LOVE the blue and white needle books; I saw the finished ones on IG last night and they are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us along on your shopping adventure! I'm so impressed how you manage to find your way. Your little needle cases are so sweet. That no-sugar challenge looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that drives me nuts about that yuzawaya is that they put foreign quilting threads and supplies in a different place from those made by clover. One of these days I need to go there for more thinsulate. Maybe I need to take you along to find the way...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun tour. It looks like an amazing store (set of stores, maybe?). Those shelves of washi paper look beautiful. Enjoy your 40% off card often! I hope you'll show more photos of your needle books. That's wonderful to be asked to make them to sell in a shop.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tour notes. Thanks for sharing. I hope to one day make it to Tokyo and this looks like a fun excursion. As for the sugar challenge, I followed it in spirit only I'm afraid. LOL But congrats to you for giving a try!
ReplyDeleteAre there any japan stores that sell their fabric online and ship to the United States?
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