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Ginza Itoya: Japan’s Stationery Store for Shopping in Tokyo
For travelers looking for a shopping stop that feels distinctly Tokyo, Itoya is an easy choice. The long-running stationery specialist is known for quality paper goods, writing instruments, art materials, and thoughtful in-store services that go well beyond ordinary retail. Its Ginza flagship Ginza Itoya is memorable not just for what it sells, but for how it invites visitors to browse.
Recognizable from afar by its giant red paper clip, the main store has become a landmark in its own right. Inside, Ginza Itoya unfolds less like a single shop than a vertical world of stationery, with different floors devoted to writing, desk tools, crafts, art supplies, lifestyle goods, and customization services. Whether you are a dedicated stationery lover, an artist, or simply looking for a useful and beautifully made souvenir, it is the kind of place that rewards slow browsing.
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Itoya: Japan’s 100-Year-Old Stationery Store
Founded by Katsutaro Ito in 1904, Itoya grew from a small stationery shop into one of the area’s defining specialty stores. Today, the Ginza Itoya Main Store is spread across two nearby buildings, G.Itoya and K.Itoya, which complement each other rather than duplicating the same role.
G.Itoya is the main 12-storey flagship building and the more expansive of the two, with eight themed selling spaces devoted to Itoya’s own original products, greeting cards, letter-writing goods, fountain pens, diaries, office supplies, art materials, paper crafts, and lifestyle items, along with spaces such as a business lounge, an event hall and a café and restaurant.
K.Itoya, in contrast, adds a more personalized side to the experience, with customization options such as Note Couture for made-to-order notebooks and My Emblem for customized cards, as well as
bespoke services on the third floor for printing, invitations, business cards, and personal seals.
Both buildings are easy to spot thanks to Itoya’s signature oversized red paper clip, though each one displays it differently. At G.Itoya, the clip is mounted high on the facade, appearing almost to float in the air and visible from a good distance away. At K.Itoya, the same iconic clip sits at ground level — and standing next to it quickly reveals just how large it actually is. It’s become a popular photo stop in its own right, and an easy one to find.
What to Buy at Ginza Itoya: Pens, Notebooks and More
Ginza Itoya stands out not just for the size of its selection, but for its range. Alongside the Japanese stationery that many visitors come specifically to explore, the store also carries famous international brands, creating a mix that feels both local and global.
That breadth makes the store appealing to different kinds of visitors at once. Stationery lovers can compare fountain pens, notebooks, planners, inks, and paper goods; artists will find sketchbooks, markers, paints, colored pencils, and calligraphy materials, while gift shoppers can browse cards, desk accessories, wrapping paper, and custom-made items.
💡 Pro tip: Part of the pleasure of visiting G.Itoya is that each floor has its own focus, but exploring every floor can easily take longer than expected. For visitors on a tighter schedule, it’s worth narrowing down a few must-buy items or priority floors before heading in for a much smoother visit.
Exploring the Floors of Ginza Itoya’s G.Itoya
1F GROUND / 2F SHARE
The first floor, GROUND, makes a strong first impression, with greeting cards, seasonal displays, and a small drink bar where visitors can buy Itoya’s original-recipe lemonade to sip while browsing.
On the second floor, SHARE, Write & Post is one of the store’s most charming spaces. Here, visitors can browse letter paper, cards, envelopes, stickers, and postcards, then sit down to write a message and send it directly from the real postbox right inside the store.
3F WRITE
Other floors broaden the experience further.
The third floor, WRITE, is a key stop for pen lovers, with fountain pens, luxury writing instruments, inks, refills, limited editions, and My Mighty, Itoya’s custom pen service.
4F ORGANIZE / 5F WORK / 6F HOME
The fourth floor, ORGANIZE, and the fifth floor, WORK, are devoted to organizers, diaries, notebooks, and related accessories, while the sixth floor, HOME, expands into lifestyle and home goods.
7F COLOR / 8F CRAFT
The seventh floor, COLOR, is especially appealing for artists and color lovers, with paints, sketchbooks, pencils, pastels, markers, and Japanese calligraphy supplies.
The eighth floor, CRAFT, turns toward craft, with washi Japanese paper, wrapping paper, origami, stamps, and scrapbooking materials.
10F HandShake Lounge / 11F FARM / 12F CAFE Stylo
The upper part of G.Itoya adds another layer to the experience.
The 10th-floor HandShake Lounge is a refined rental space for work, meetings, and events, while the 11th-floor FARM introduces an unexpected touch of greenery through an indoor hydroponic growing space, as well as memorabilia related to previous renditions of the store. The lettuce grown there is used in the salads served at CAFE Stylo on the top floor, where visitors can stop for lunch, coffee, or a break after browsing.
Exploring the Floors of Ginza Itoya’s K.Itoya
For shoppers looking for something personalized or giftable, K.Itoya adds another dimension to the flagship experience. Smaller than its counterpart at just four floors, it’s a focused visit that’s well worth making time for.
1F SIGHNATURE / 2F KIDS
The first floor SIGNATURE highlights Itoya’s signature brands, including ROMEO and COLOR CHART, while the second floor KIDS brings in a more personal and customizable side, with children’s goods, albums, and globes as well as services such as Note Couture for made-to-order notebooks and My Emblem for customized cards.
3F BESPOKE / B1F FRAME
Upstairs, BESPOKE offers printing, invitations, business cards, personal seals, and workshops, while the basement, FRAME, is devoted to frames and related items.
Ginza Itoya Opening Hours and Tax-Free Shopping
Ginza Itoya is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sundays and public holidays. The building’s in-house restaurant, CAFE Stylo, keeps its own separate hours, typically serving from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm.
For international visitors, Itoya Ginza offers tax-free shopping on purchases totaling ¥16,500 or more (tax included). Note that a 3% processing fee is typically deducted from the total refund amount.
📒 Note: Starting November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free shopping system for inbound travelers will shift to a refund-based model. Under the new system, consumption tax will be refunded after customs inspection upon departure at airports or seaports. For the latest updates, refer to the official announcement by the Japan Tourism Agency.
How to Get to Ginza Itoya from HOTEL TAVINOS Hamamatsucho
For guests staying at HOTEL TAVINOS Hamamatsucho, the closest Itoya location is the Main Store in Ginza — also the brand’s most iconic flagship. The hotel is about an 8-minute walk from JR Hamamatsucho Station, from where the JR Yamanote Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line run directly to JR Yurakucho Station. From there, Ginza Itoya Main Store is just a 7-minute walk.
Ginza Itoya is also within walking distance of Tokyo Metro Ginza Station and Ginza-itchome Station, making it easy to fit into a wider day out in central Tokyo. Ginza Itoya is more than a useful shopping stop. It is a place where Tokyo’s appreciation for design, craftsmanship, and everyday beauty comes into focus through paper, pens, and the pleasure of choosing something well-made.
Ginza Itoya Main Store
Address:2-7-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours:
[Weekdays]
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
[Sundays and Holidays]
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
[CAFE Stylo]
11:30 am – 9:00 pm (Last Order 8:00 pm)
Access:about 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Station (Exit A13), or 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza-itchome Station (Exit 8)
Website:https://www.ito-ya.co.jp/ext/lang/en/index.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itoya_official/
Writer
Lisa Wallin
A curious sojourner, Lisa Wallin has lived in Japan for about 15 years, along with 7 other countries. She has an insatiable appetite for local narratives, with a focus on regional culture, crafts and food. When not chasing stories, she enjoys coffee, visiting shrines, and exploring the country both with and without her dogs.