Wander through Matsumoto's general stores and bookstores. Find your favorite one in Shinshu!
Matsumoto is known as a craft town, and there are many fashionable general stores in the city. Books and sundries selected with the owner's special care, Shinshu specialty themed items, and crafts from local artists are all unique to Matsumoto. Here we introduce some long-time favorites as well as newer general merchandise stores.
<Fashionable General Stores in Matsumoto
1TOCA by lifart...
A general merchandise store that entertains you with a wide selection of goods.
This general merchandise store attached to the atelier of candle artist Takayuki Nishimaki was opened five years ago by the candle studio lifart..., where TOCA stands for "light," with the aim of creating a store that makes "ordinary daily life more enjoyable. The product lineup conveys Mr. Nishimaki's belief that everyday life in Japan, which incorporates a variety of cultures both domestic and international, is rich and interesting.
In addition to candles made by Mr. Nishimaki, there are crafts from artists all over Japan and regional brands such as Arita-yaki and Nanbu Tekki (Nanbu ironware). There are even accessories and food products, and the selection ranges from one-of-a-kind handmade items, whether foreign or old or new, to mass-produced industrial products. The store offers an enjoyable treasure hunting experience.
Fragrance candles" for everyday use
Fragrance candles" made of original wax made from 100% plant materials (soybeans and palm) have little smoke and soot, so they can be easily used in places where you want to relax. There are 10 types of fragrances, including "shinano" based on the scent of apple, a specialty of Shinshu, and "kodama" using Kiso cypress oil. The "scent of the month series," available only at the store, is also noteworthy.
- TOCA by lifart...
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4-3-17 Ote, Matsumoto, Nagano MAP
12 min. walk from JR Matsumoto Station
12:00-19:00
Wednesday, Thursday
0263-87-8942
None
2shioribi
A cozy book café surrounded by books
This book café was renovated from a former electronics store, using Japanese old wood and retro furniture. Bookshelves of various sizes are assembled to take advantage of the high ceiling. Each type of retro chair has a different comfort level, so you can enjoy reading in the chair of your choice.
The books selected are mainly independent publications called "little presses" based on the criteria of "hints for comfortable living. Magazines, photo collections, art books, and other items that readers can apply to their daily lives are lined up.
Craft works by woodworkers, postcards and other stationery, CDs, and bags from Swiss manufacturer FREITAG, which makes products from reused truck covers and seatbelts, are also available. The shop also holds limited-time fairs and holds occasional special exhibitions in the gallery on the second floor.
Enjoy mornings and lunches in a relaxed atmosphere
The morning café is open from 7:00 to 11:00, where you can smell the aroma of coffee and books from the morning. The morning set of toast cooked on a grill and a drink is very popular. Coffee is served monthly with beans roasted by "KAFE Kofun" in Kyoto. Baked goods such as doughnuts, cookies, and pound cakes are also available, making it a comfortable place to spend time.
3ceramic-katagi
A wide variety of items with the owner's sense of style
This craft goods store has been operating on Matsumoto's Nakamachi Street for over 30 years. The owner, Ms. Kobayashi, has selected items that enrich people's lives with the idea that "everyday things are beautiful" and "ordinary days are beautiful. The items include tableware, cooking utensils, lighting, and other items that are both practical and attractive to tool lovers.
In addition to works by craftspeople, the store also offers original products designed by the owner himself, who has chosen items that he "wants but are not sold.
Long-selling products with fans all over Japan
Original items include popular items such as floating butter knives and mortars that can be placed on the table without worrying about getting dirty, as well as a long-selling crescent-shaped cutting board. The crescent-shaped cutting board stands on its own and is characterized by the ease with which food can be dropped onto a bat or other surface. Word of mouth from those who have purchased this product and its functionality and beautiful design have created a favorable response, and it is a gem that is ordered from all over Japan.
The store is located on Nakamachi-dori, a popular street where tourists always go, and where foreign customers often stop by.
- TOCA by lifart...
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- 3-5-10 Chuo, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- 12 minutes walk from JR Matsumoto Station
- 9:00-18:00 (varies according to season)
- Wednesdays, 3rd Tuesday of the month, Jan. 1
- 0263-32-0646
- None
4coto.coto
Stylish craft goods that make your everyday life more enjoyable
Under the theme of "Enjoy, Life and Art," this select store offers a wide variety of products, including crafts, daily sundries, and art works. Opened on Nakamachi-dori, one of Matsumoto's main streets, it will celebrate its seventh year in 2019. The crafts selected by the male owner, who prefers a simple yet artistic atmosphere, are varied and the products are always changing. Felt bags and slippers, kitchen towels with cat and other motifs, and accessories are all eye-catching in their excellent design.
Unique artwork for sale
Artwork is casually displayed alongside the crafts in the store, all of which are available for purchase. Visitors can pick up prints and artwork by a printmaker from Matsumoto, as well as unique accessories by a Japanese jewelry designer living in Spain.
In addition, special exhibitions are held on an irregular basis. The content changes from time to time, with a collection of works by a particular artist or a theme focused on jewelry and other items. This is one place you should definitely visit when sightseeing in Matsumoto.
5galerie ashizuki (kaigetsu)
Enrich your life with crafts for clothing, food, and shelter
In 2019, this craft store will celebrate its 20th year since opening. The shop features works of great originality by artists from all over Japan as well as Nagano Prefecture. At the time of its founding, the shop focused on pottery and glassware, but now offers a full lineup of clothing, bags, shoes, and more. Each piece is displayed in a spacious and easy-to-see and easy-to-handle manner, making the store feel like a gallery. The owner and other Staff/staff members keep in close contact with the artists and visit their production sites to select their works. Many crafts that make everyday life more enjoyable are available.
Focusing not only on design and texture, but also on ease of use
The items in the store are selected not only for their originality of design, but also for their usability as tools. The owner and Staff/staff members actually use the items to make sure that they are comfortable to use in daily life, and only sell items that they are satisfied with.
We also hold special exhibitions twice a month. The shop features unique crafts by both well-known and unknown artists, and sometimes you may even come across a one-of-a-kind item.
- Galerie KAIGETSU
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- 2F, Takami Bookstore, 2-2-6 Chuo, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- 7 minutes walk from JR Matsumoto Station
- 11:00-18:00, Fri. and Sat. from March to December - 19:00
- Wednesday
- 0263-38-0022
- None
