Stepping into the Stationery Oasis at Kakimori Kuramae
Hello everyone! This is CityNomix.
Today, we are walking through the charming streets of Kuramae, often referred to as Tokyo’s Brooklyn.
This neighborhood, filled with renovated warehouses and artisan shops, offers new discoveries at every corner.
And today, I want to share my deep dive into the fascinating world of stationery at “Kakimori“.
Let me guide you into the sweet, bottomless swamp of bespoke writing tools.
It all started recently when I purchased a custom notebook here.
While still riding the high of that experience, I had another incredible encounter.
I found lifelong companions: customized pens and bespoke inks.
Resting quietly on my worn wooden desk is a gray paper box.
The embossed message “Write with joy” sits elegantly on its surface.
The thin cord binding it together feels like an invitation to a deep, beautiful obsession.
I hope to convey the sheer excitement of this experience to you.
The Minimalist Beauty of the “Frost” Pen
Inside the store, the friendly staff highly recommended a pen called “Frost“.
I was surprised to learn later that even Starbucks Reserve ordered a custom version of this model.
You can find it as the Kakimori Frost Fountain Pen Starbucks Reserve.
Looking at its pristine beauty, it makes perfect sense why Starbucks chose it.
The Frost pens are lined up neatly on a wooden display tray.
The warmth of the wood contrasts beautifully with the delicate, translucent frosted glass-like bodies.
The exquisite color samples range from Moss to Graphite.
From the trial pens in the front, I could catch the faint, nostalgic scent of fresh ink.
Faced with these subtle nuance colors, there was no way I could choose just one.
After agonizing over the decision, I bought three: a ballpoint, a fine (F) fountain pen, and a medium (M) fountain pen.
I chose Moss, Amber, and Graphite colors.
This was to perfectly match the custom inks I had just created.
The minimalist, stripped-down functional beauty definitely has a magnetic pull.
Just imagining these translucent barrels filling up with my custom ink is incredibly thrilling.
Custom Inks and the Magic of Dip Pens
Now, let’s look back at the ink selection process.
During the ink-making experience, I created four unnamed colors: navy, khaki, green, and brown.
You can check out our ink making experience here—it was truly magical.
While mixing these colors, I used a “dip pen”.
It was so surprisingly easy to use that I decided to buy one without hesitation.
Inside the warm wooden showcase, six “Nib holders” were displayed elegantly.
I admired the soft texture of Sakura wood and the cool tranquility of Aluminium.
The angled acrylic stands highlighted the fine textures of each material.
Choosing the right nib was equally important.
I chose the “Copper” nib because I wanted to enjoy writing thick, bold lines.
Gleaming dully on the upper right, it has a warm reddish hue unique to copper.
Imagining dipping this nib into my custom ink and laying down thick colors is exhilarating.
The colorful “Mini holders” were also captivating.
Named after nature—Cloud, Natural, Sunset, Ocean, Forest—they fit perfectly in the palm.
This analog ritual of dipping a pen into a glass bottle requires the warmth of wood.
A wooden dip pen rests softly on an aged wooden table.
The contrast between the cold metal of the copper nib and the soft wood is striking.
The thought of scribbling casually with this tool makes my heart grow warm.
The emotion of curating my own tools piece by piece is intense.
I can feel the undeniable excitement of stepping into this sweet stationery swamp.
These are the unique inks I mixed drop by drop.
Navy, khaki, green, and brown.
These four unnamed colors serve as the beautiful yet dangerous gateway to my new obsession.
The Ultimate Trap: Kakimori’s Original Glass Pen
During the ink-making session, the staff set the ultimate trap for me.
It was Kakimori’s original “Glass pen“.
The moment I tried writing with it, I was blown away by its smoothness.
Five “Lauscha glass pens” lay quietly on deep red velvet.
They emit a fresh yet serene glow through the showcase glass.
It is incredibly easy to write with, despite being made of glass. It’s delicate yet practical.
I learned that traditional German glass is finely tuned by a Japanese artisan.
What pushed me over the edge was the staff saying, “It’s repairable if it breaks.”
My preconception that glass pens are beautiful but fragile was completely shattered.
Knowing it’s a lifelong tool, I could no longer resist the urge to buy it.
I am deeply grateful to the Kakimori staff for introducing this to me.
I took home a glass pen with a translucent amber barrel.
Against the warm wooden table, the hard glass emits a surprisingly soft light.
Just imagining dipping this nib into my custom brown ink makes my heart pound.
The Thrill of Waiting: Bringing the Tools to Life
Finally, back home, the unboxing ritual began.
This is undoubtedly the highlight of this blissful experience.
The textured gray box sits quietly on the desk.
I slowly untie the leather cord, tracing the “We write with joy” engraving.
Inside are my three Frost pens, the copper dip pen, and the glass pen.
I decided to fill the Frost pen with ink right away.
Recalling the staff’s instructions, I carefully removed the cap, twisted the converter, and drew up the ink.
I tried to write. “Huh? It’s not writing?”
Even when it did, the color was very faint. I started to panic.
Then I remembered: you have to wait a few minutes for the ink to flow down to the nib.
What a relief.
That anxious wait—wondering why it wasn’t writing—now feels like a precious, luxurious moment.
A few minutes later, I slid the pen across the paper again.
“What a stunning color…!”
Seeing my very own unnamed color appear on the paper took my breath away.
I am completely hooked. There is no turning back.
I am going to use these every single day. The notebooks, the pens, and the inks.
Your Next Stationery Adventure in Tokyo
How did you like this journey?
Kakimori in Kuramae, Tokyo, offers an experience and emotion that goes far beyond a typical stationery store.
Choosing, creating, and slowly nurturing your tools at home.
It is rare to find shopping experiences that enrich your soul this much.
I highly encourage you to visit Kakimori and find your own special lifelong companions.
A wonderfully deep and comfortable “stationery swamp” is waiting for you.
Kakimori photos
If you want to see more aesthetic Kakimori photos, their official Instagram is a goldmine.
The beautiful displays of custom inks, glass pens, and bespoke notebooks capture the essence of Japanese craftsmanship.
Taking photos inside the store is generally allowed, but be mindful of other customers.
The natural light filtering into the Kuramae shop makes for stunning photography.
Kakimori english
For international visitors, Kakimori is very welcoming.
Many staff members speak English and can guide you through the custom notebook or ink-making process.
Their website also offers an English version, making it easy to understand their philosophy and book workshops in advance.
You won’t have to worry about the language barrier when creating your bespoke items.
蔵前 駅 から カキモリ (Access from Kuramae Station to Kakimori)
Kakimori is located about a 10-minute walk from Kuramae Station (Toei Asakusa Line or Toei Oedo Line).
The stroll from the station is highly enjoyable, as you will pass by many trendy cafes, artisan leather shops, and chocolate factories.
Kuramae is famous as Tokyo’s artisan district, so take your time exploring the area on your way to the store.
蔵前 カキモリ アクセス (Access to Kakimori Kuramae)
Besides Kuramae Station, you can also easily access Kakimori from Shin-Okachimachi Station (Toei Oedo Line).
The shop is situated in a quiet residential and factory area called Misuji, offering a peaceful shopping environment away from the hustle and bustle of major tourist spots like Shibuya or Shinjuku.
カキモリ 店舗 (Kakimori Stores)
While Kakimori sometimes holds pop-up events in other cities or department stores, the Kuramae flagship store is where the magic truly happens.
It is the only place where you can experience the full lineup of papers, covers, rings, custom inks, and the famous glass pens all at once.
A visit to the main store is highly recommended for the complete experience.
カキモリ 蔵前 求人 (Kakimori Kuramae Jobs)
You can clearly feel the staff’s genuine love for stationery in their excellent customer service.
Kakimori occasionally posts job openings on their website for those who want to share the “joy of writing”.
It seems like a wonderful work environment where you can deepen your knowledge of bespoke crafts while helping travelers and locals find their perfect tools.
カキモリ ワークショップ (Kakimori Workshops)
Kakimori is famous for its hands-on workshops, most notably the “inkstand” custom ink mixing experience.
You get to sit at a beautiful counter, use dip pens, and mix drops of base colors to create a unique ink recipe.
These workshops are extremely popular, so booking a slot online well in advance of your Tokyo trip is essential.
Kakimori Official Website: http://www.kakimori.com/
Google Map:
