Tokyo Shopping Guide: Tomato
Tomato is pretty legendary amongst Japanese fabric mentalists (like myself!) as THE place to go for fabric. It’s situated in Fabric Town, Nippori which is a whole area of sewing related shops full of fabric, trims, buttons and everything else you might need. It’s a sewist’s dream come true!
Tomato has six floors of mostly fabric of all styles and designs, so you’re sure to find something you love, whatever your tastes. I of course loved the kawaii floor, which is rammed full of bolts of cute character designs. It’s extremely hard to choose which designs to buy so make sure you check out the remnant bins as there are reasonably large pieces available.
There’s also a quilting floor with several million fat quarters – so many that I couldn’t focus on anything after the first 100. Luckily there are also readymade bundles available so you can get a pile of cute matching fabrics for cheap prices. There’s also a small selection of cute ribbon and trim.
We saw four people with Tomato carrier bags in a couple of blocks so it really is the place to go for both locals and tourists. If you’re a fabric lover, this should definitely be at the top of your list. More casual fabric buyers might find it overwhelming. And don’t stop at Tomato – there are fabric stores all around, plus cute button and notions shops too.
Do remember that at Tomato you’re buying by the metre, so you do need to make your choices carefully, unless you have money to burn. Also Fabric Town is closed on Sundays (I originally learned this from a plot point in Paradise Kiss – who says reading manga is bad for your brain?).
Amazing Usacolle / MoshiMoshi bunnies fabric
My pick of the remnants
Cute webbing and ribbon
Rolls of ¥100 fabric. Photo by cyn
Quilting fabric floor at Tomato, Photo by Ro / wererabbit
Tomato, Nippori. Photo by sakuraboy
How to get there
Nippori is on the JR Yamanote Line and Fabric Street itself is Nippori Chuo Dori, a few minutes walk from the East exit (from the train, follow signs to the North Exit then the East Exit*). Turn right out of the station and work your way ahead and diagonally towards the left and you will hit Fabric Street. The street starts opposite a bus terminal (complete with fountain) and then look for the big Fabric Town pennants. Tomato is on the left side of the street (going away from the station) and has a huge red tomato sign so you really can’t miss it. There are also some great up to date directions at Superbuzzy.
Map: Great PDF map of Fabric Town/Nippori shops.
Last updated: 23 April 2011
* Thanks to Art Box Diary for correcting my directions. There was building work at the station when I visited!
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Hey, I visted Japan too from 25 Oct to 1 November. Only saw your posting when i am back! aww…i am upset! I missed quite a lot i guess….ARGH! but time doesnt permit too but still ARGH i wish…i could buy some quite cheap fabrics…….
ooohhhh!! really great information!! I’m goin in august to japan an dI was searhing dor some fabric shops and It’s to great know there is the Fabric Town in Tokyo.. really thank you for the information. Do you know if the shops are open on sunday??? thanks again!!!
OoooOOOooohhhHHH!!!
I can’t wait to go to Japan.
Fabric Town!!!??!!!! That’s awesome. I’m going to Tokyo in October and one of the big attractions for me (and I know this may sound a little crazy) was the prospect of buying cute and crazy Japanese fabrics..
I’m so glad I found your shopping guide – I can’t thank you enough!!
More thanks from me – I’m going to visit in a few days and can’t wait to hit ‘Tomato’. Thanks for the pointers.
This is awesome, I’m off to Japan in November and am fabric crazy, so I will be taking an extra suitcase and buying lots and lots.
I will buy a copy of your guide closer to the time.
Thanks!
Hello, could anyone please tell me if tomato carries purse frames. I am a purse designer and I am having a hard time finding frames in the U.S..
Thank you for your help.
A friend in Japan told me about your website. I will be checking it out. One of my Japanese friends didn’t even know of this area. She is very excited for me to go there.
I do believe I saw some there.
hey anyone know is there a fabric town or where i can get fabric in osaka or kyoto? i try google and nothing ! sad :(
There’s some info on Osaka here –
http://www.superbuzzy.com/?p=228
and Kyoto here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+47087
If you ask a question on the Tripadviser.com forums you’ll probably get some better information.
Went to Fabric town and especially Tomato after finding this recommendation and LOVED it!!! I literally filled my case with fabric, and had to shove my clothes in wherever they would fit on the return journey! Thanks so much. I have an addiction to lovely linens and they had so much I just couldn’t say no!
Cheers!
Thank you very much for sharing helpful info.
I wanted to add my thanks — I loved Tomato! One thing I thought I’d mention is that they only took cash when I went, so be prepared.
And! The fat quarter floor was HEAVEN.
Thanks again! :)
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This a really great read by you hope to visit more really soon.
This makes me miss Japan!
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