Kakimori in Kuramae is a good Tokyo stationery stop when the making process is part of what you want: an order-made notebook, custom ink, or time to test writing tools and paper before buying.
The current official shop information lists Kakimori at 1-6-2 Misuji, Taito-ku, Tokyo, open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00 and closed Monday. Because services and booking rules can change, use the official page below as the final check before you travel.
Official shop information: Kakimori — Shops
Choose the visit before you choose the product
Kakimori works differently depending on your goal.
| Goal | What the official site says to check |
|---|---|
| Browse and test writing tools | Kakimori says its writing tools and papers can be tried before purchase |
| Make an order-made notebook | Choose cover, paper, binding and closures; booking/timing rules differ by day |
| Make custom ink | Inkstand is upstairs at Kakimori and advance booking is available |
| Buy a gift | Original writing tools, notebooks and paper goods are available in-store |
The useful question is not simply “Is Kakimori worth visiting?” It is whether one of those experiences belongs in your Tokyo day.
Order-made notebooks need a time plan
Kakimori’s current order-made notebook page says customers choose the cover, inner paper, rings and closure to build one notebook. It also publishes booking and last-order information.
As of the current official guidance, weekday orders generally do not require a reservation outside specified busy periods, while weekends and public holidays use reservations. The store page lists the order-made notebook last order at 17:30, with an earlier cutoff for some same-day personalised collection.
Because those rules are operational details, verify them on the live official page before putting the service between fixed train, restaurant, or event reservations.
Official service page: Kakimori — Order-made notebooks
Inkstand is a separate decision
Inkstand by Kakimori is located upstairs at Kakimori and is built around making your own colour. The current shop page recommends advance booking; Kakimori’s FAQ also notes that same-day or walk-in availability can depend on capacity.
If custom ink is the reason for the trip, reserve that experience first and build the rest of the stationery route around it. Do not assume that browsing the ground-floor shop guarantees an immediate Inkstand session.
Official details: Kakimori shop information and Kakimori FAQ
What to test before buying
Kakimori says the writing tools and paper it carries can be tested before purchase. Use that opportunity to compare the thing that will matter after the trip:
- how a pen feels on the paper you actually like;
- whether a notebook’s paper and format fit your writing habit;
- whether a nib or rollerball line is too broad or too fine for you;
- whether an ink colour is still legible in the lighting and paper you use.
If possible, bring a short note with your preferred line width, notebook size, and budget. The goal is to leave with a tool that fits your writing, not merely the most distinctive souvenir.
Where Kakimori fits in a Tokyo stationery route
Kakimori is in Kuramae, so it is better treated as a destination or neighborhood stop than as an accidental add-on to Ginza shopping.
Choose it when you want:
- a making/customization experience;
- original Kakimori writing tools;
- custom ink;
- an order-made notebook;
- time to test writing tools and paper.
If you mainly want a large multi-brand store, Itoya Ginza or Shibuya LOFT is a more direct starting point.
The short answer
Visit Kakimori when customization and trying the tools are part of the purchase. Check the current official store page, decide whether you want the regular shop, an order-made notebook, or Inkstand, and reserve time when the service requires it.
Sources
- Kakimori — Shops
- Kakimori — Shop experience
- Kakimori — Frequently Asked Questions
- Kakimori — Order-made notebooks