Places to buy Woodworking Tools in Japan
WOODWORKING TOOL SHOPS IN TOKYO
Inoue Hamono 合名会社井上刃物
Description: Established in 1900, this is a very small, family-run shop in the centre of Tokyo. The shop itself is tiny but absolutely gorgeous. The most picturesque tool shop I have visited in Japan so far. They are very foreigner friendly, but you need to know what you are looking for. The tools are all of a high standard and the owner, Inoue Tokio-san, will be very helpful if you have a precise idea of what you want to make or buy. Expect high quality and very specific woodworking tools (although a limited selection), but not cheap prices. Tax-free shopping is available, and the son speaks good English.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inouehamono?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Address: 3 Chome-17-8 Tatekawa, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0023
Kurashige Tools 倉重電動工具㈱
Description: This shop focuses mainly on online sales and also has an English website. The shop is located a little outside downtown Tokyo but is well worth a visit. Don't be put off by the somewhat unwelcoming shop front. The shop is mainly used as a warehouse for online sales, but if you sneak in anyway and ask nicely to see the 3 levels of tool storage at the back, the staff will allow you to browse and buy tools. Tools in all price ranges, also very rare and high quality. Some second-hand treasures from deceased Shrine Carpenters are also available. English not really spoken
Website: https://shop.kurashige-tools.com/ (international shipping)
Address: 7 Chome-5-19 Nishiarai, Adachi City, Tokyo 123-0841, Japan
Sagami Daiku Dougu Kan さがみ大工道具館
Description: Huge shop, just outside Tokyo. Just about everything is available and some of the staff speak english
Website: http://www.toolmate.co.jp/shouhin/daiku/daiku-heya.htm
Address: 5-chōme-1 Seishin, Chuo Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0216, Japan
Tokyu Hands Shibuya
Description: Tokyu Hands is not really a tool shop, but a huge department store chain that still has a surprisingly good range of basic woodworking tools. Not every store has the same selection, and the one in Shibuya is one of the largest with the best amount of tools. Very affordable and mostly mass-produced, but good for beginners and general browsing.
Address: 12-18 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hitohira Tokyo Showroom
Description: Technically a knife shop, this blacksmith's shop also sells woodworking tools, Japanese splitting axes, sharpening stones, marking tools and other items of interest to a Japanese carpentry enthusiast. The Tokyo showroom is small, but a great place to stop if you are in the area and want to see something sharp.
Website: https://hitohira-japan.com/
Address: 1-22-10, Setagaya, Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo
Morihei
Description: Family owned since 1933, they specialise in a large selection of Japanese quarried sharpening stones as well as Japanese kitchen knives and some other tools. The owner is very helpful and will show you how to use the wet stones for sharpening.
Website: https://www.morihei.co.jp/?mode=f4
Address: 1-28-6 Asakusabashi Taito-ku Tokyo Japan
SHOPS FOR CARPENTRY TOOLS IN KYOTO
Minamoto no Hisahide 源久秀刃物店
Description: Founded in 1923. Variety of professional and household tools such as kitchen knives, carpentry tools, carving knives and sewing scissors. Small shop, but good quality tools, in a busy tourist area. The owner can be annoyed by the amount of foreigners visiting the shop, so try to come prepared and know what you are looking for. He speaks English.
Address: 540-1 Nakanocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8042, Kyoto Prefecture
Imai Shouten 今井義延商店
Description: Manufacture and sale of woodworking tools, all made in the back by a family of blacksmiths. Large selection of chisels, gouges, drawknives and carving knives. Hours can be a little erratic. Cash only, no English
Address: 〒605-0934 京都府京都市東山区塗師屋町６１２
REST OF JAPAN
Risaku Hamono Kobo / Risaku Used 利作刃物工房 / 利作ユーズド
Website: https://risakuworks.official.ec/
Address: 1-23-24 Kuwano, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, 963-8025
Nobori Hamono のぼり刃物店
Description: 60 year old owner, mainly handle carpentry tools, hand tools for woodworking, and wetstones. also do sharpening and sharpening repairs, does not speak english, no tax-free
Website: https://noborihamono.shop/ (no international shipping)
Address: 7-24 Otecho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka-fu 567-0883, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nj8v2GADjta5gpWR8
Mandaraya 大工道具の曼陀羅屋
Description: run by an experienced furniture maker. The shop is located far of from most things, deep in the country side, but you can often find the owner selling tools at a stall at the Japanese Kezorokai in Kyoto
Website: http://www.daiku-dougu.jp/index.html (no international shipping)
Address: 3703 Kamiyunokicho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 857-0126, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NrRrM47CdevWN5u29
