Weddingbee Blog

This post was originally published on March 24th, 2008.

~~~

After returning from my brief trip to Tokyo and seeing Mrs. Ant’s fabulous guide to Japan… I’ve been missing Japan even more.I never realized what a huge DIY and craft culture existed in Japan, well at least, Tokyo. During my first trip last year, I was overwhelmed with all the craft and stationery choices available. I literally, did not know where to start! This time around, I had some experience and a goal: to find Gocco supplies.

Shibuya in Tokyo was one of the areas I frequented the most for craft supplies because most of the craft shops I wanted to visit were in close proximity to each other. My favorite place to hit up was Tokyu Hands which had the largest selection of Gocco machines as well as inks and other supplies.

Upon arrival at Tokyu Hands I immediately asked the nearest sales clerk where I could find a Gocco… (please note that Miss Canary does not know a lick of Japanese, but would attempt to communicate mostly with hand signals and drawings).

It was a good thing I carried around a little notebook. The clerk had no idea what I was talking about so I wrote “RISO GOCCO” and showed it to him. He understood and directed me towards Tokyu Hands’ design center which was located on floor 5C. (Check out the sick floor plan below. There is nothing you can’t find in this store.)

Floorplan of Tokyu Hands, Shibuya

The design center has a small section dedicated to Gocco inks, screens, pre-cut papers, and anything else you could ever imagine needing. As for the machines themselves, they’re located behind the cashiers and if you’re interested, just ask and they will bring them out for you. I also noticed that there were several used machines for sale.

For an idea of pricing based on exchange of $1 US to 100 yen. Also, please note that these prices include 5% local tax. If you purchase over 10,000 yen in one day, foreigners are eligible for a tax refund at most large stores, Tokyu Hands included. Prices throughout Tokyo for these supplies are pretty standard. I didn’t notice any fluctuations.

PG-5 Kit = $68.25
PG-11 Kit = $102.90
Print Gocco Arts for Cloth Kit = $312.90
Print Gocco Arts for Paper = $312.90
Bulbs (4 pack) = $8.40
B6 Blue Filter = $4.72
B6 Screens = $7.35
Inks (for paper) = $3.15
Inks (for cloth) = $4.72
Blocking foam = $2.10
Set of (2) 20 Card Racks/Sorters = $5.25

Since I was too overwhelmed to take pictures, I give you all the Gocco brochures I could find from the stores.

Tokyu Hands also sells a vast array of other art and craft supplies. I spent about 3 hours there just trying not to buy out the entire 5th floor. They sell jewelry kits (one of which I had to prevent myself from buying, see the brochure below, I was absolutely riveted when watching the demo), felting needles and supplies, wooden craft kits, embroidery, knitting, Japanese washi (decorative papers), origami paper, leather craft supplies, beads, sewing templates for accessories like purses and pencil cases, stationery sets, office supplies (super magnets and fun shaped erasers), and much much more!Also, they have a whole section dedicated to print-your-own wedding invitations and stationery. The designs were all very classic and simple made on very high quality paper. Definitely worth checking out. Tokyu Hands would be a great place to buy attendant gifts as well. There is a great selection of little cases that would be perfect for makeup/accessory bags.

The amazing Art Clay kit where you can mold then paint your own jewelry and ceramics. The biggest drawback was the actual price per package of clay (~$13-15 US for a small pack!)

Loft, is another shop very close to Tokyu Hands, but only has one floor dedicated to art supplies and stationery. It’s located on the ground level. Loft carries a larger variety of stationery items like stickers and seals, letter sets, and notebooks than Tokyu Hands, but their Gocco supply is much smaller. I think I cleaned out most of their inks and screens!

The stationery floor of Loft.
Image from here.

If you head to small stationery stores you’ll often find Gocco supplies hidden somewhere. Just ask (or write) and the clerk will point you in the right direction.

So for any of you who are willing to cross the Pacific to feed the Gocco addiction here are the details:

Tokyu Hands - Shibuya
Hours:10AM - 8:30 PM
12-18 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0042
Phone: 03-5489-5111

Loft - Shibuya
Hours: 10AM - 9PM
21-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0042
Phone: 03-3462-3807