Japanese have lived in the UK since 1864. It is only more recently, in the last decade, there has been an explosion of Japanese culture, particularly in London. Many have heard about healthy sushi and its beautiful cherry blossom trees. London has several Japanese-inspired gardens. However, Japan has so much more to offer, and fortunately, we are embracing it.
Japanese cuisine, also known as Washoku, meaning Japanese or harmony, symbolises Japanese food and is becoming increasingly popular. Anime and manga have always been accepted as niche industries until online streaming encouraged more viewers to take an interest. The demand for more Japanese shops has also increased with growing awareness of the high quality and standards of Japanese products and services.
7 Great Japanese Shops in London
For a taste of Japanese quality and authentic products, here is a list of seven excellent Japanese shops in London to wow you.
1. Kataba – Japanese Knife Shop
I have used Japanese kitchen knives for almost ten years. I marvel at the ease of the blade slicing through a tomato, keeping its shape, rather than squdiging everywhere and making a mess. Japanese knives are made from hard steel and sharpened to a thinner blade giving a cleaner cut. They are famous for their sharpness and precision and are comfortable and lightweight.
Kataba started out as an online knife shop in 2013 by Yokichi and Yuko Seno. Yokichi worked as a chef in Tokyo and London, including Michelin-starred restaurants, and has a passion for Japanese knives. The name Kataba comes from a Japanese single-bevel knife.
In 2016 they opened The Knife Shed in London, selling genuine, handcrafted Japanese knives that showcase professional craftsmanship. They also provide a knife-sharpening service, which reviewers say the service is brilliant and has unmatched attention to detail.
Prices for the sharpening service start from £1.00 per inch.
Kataba offers a full repair service that includes sharpening, tip repair, rust removal, polishing, and thinning from £28.00.
When writing, a set of four house brand knives is on offer at £345.00, reduced from £399.00.
Kataba also sells hairdressing scissors made from 100% specially forged stainless steel from mountain iron sand. A material mined only in Sweden and the Chugoku region of Japan. Hairdressing scissors start from £115.00.
There is also a range of homeware, cookware, and outdoor tools and accessories.
Address: 69A Endell Street, London, WC2H 9AJ
Telephone: 020 7836 5553
2. Furuki Yo-Kimono Vintage – A Traditional Japanese Clothes Shop
Furuki Yo-Kimono Vintage means ‘good old things.’ It is a fantastic store where you can buy from a beautiful selection of vintage kimonos. Owner Sonoe Sugawara started with a vintage kimono store at Spitalfields Antique Market in 2009, eventually opening her shop in 2019. Since then, she has been part of a catwalk exhibition and is a source to many fashion brands and film costume designers.
The clothes shop has a fascinating range of primarily 1920s to 1930s kimonos. A period when Japanese tradition blended with modern Western design.
The individual pieces available for sale vary. Today there is a pair of woven Monpe trousers, circa the 1970s, for £55.00, and a man’s Juban kimono for £195.00, circa the 1920s.
Many of the items are handstitched and considered a work of art.
Shop opening hours vary, so check their social media or website page is advisable.
Address: 21-31 Shacklewell Lane, Pod 15, The factory Dalston, Hackney, London, E8 2DA.
Telephone: 07876 335316
3. Ichiba London – Europe’s Largest Indoor Japanese Food Hall
Inside Ichiba, there are over 3,000 Japanese products, from basic food essentials to specialised ingredients. The food hall is considered a paradise for many Japanese food lovers. It is a joint venture between the Japan Centre Group and a public-private fund part-owned by the Japanese Government to promote Japanese products.
The products are sourced from local and artisan suppliers in Japan, selling only traditional and regional goods from the best suppliers and farmers.
The store is clean and organised, with anything from soy sauce, tempura flour, meat, fresh seafood, whisky, and sake. Remember to check out the delicious bakery section selling handmade baked goods, such as melon pans and dorayaki, a traditional Japanese confectionary.
There is also a homeware section to buy traditional Japanese earthenware if you want to enjoy a Japanese experience in the comfort of your home.
With so much to see, you can try Japanese food, including freshly-made Ramen, Katsu Curry, or Oysters with Ponzu sauce, 2 for £5.00.
There is plenty of parking available.
The only possible downside is to be prepared to spend a lot of money with many tempting goods on the shelves.
Address: Level 2, Westfield, London White City, W12 7HB
Telephone: 0870 820 0055
4. Nishura East – The Stationery Store
Japan is well-known for its creativity and the beautiful art of handwriting, known as calligraphy. It is a tradition taught in schools to young students and has created a demand for high-quality paper and fine-tipped or brush pens to produce superior results.
Found in 2012 by Keiko Uchida, a Japanese woman living in London, Nishura East was set up to bring the finest and some of the most elegant stationery products from Japan. They supply products made with premium materials and, as much as possible, in a sustainable way. At the same time, they aim to support and protect the Japanese craft industry.
Nishura sells the popular Hobonichin Techo 2023, also known as the Life Book, from £40.00 to £114.75, in the sale at the time of writing. They might seem expensive. However, they are famed for their specialised stitching, paper quality, and perfectly lie-flat design, which is light and easy to carry around. For many loyalists, the Hobonichin is a must-have, and they wait eagerly each year for the new release.
In addition to stationary, the shop sells a small range of homeware and gifts, including bags, slippers, and chopsticks. They stock a variety of Japanese teas.
They have an in-store and online shop where the service is terrific.
Address: 65 Alfred Road, London, W2 5EU
Telephone: 07719 103 830
5. WA Cafe – Japanese Patisserie
WA Cafe is a small patisserie and Japanese coffee shop in London. Their talented Japanese bakers and patissiers make freshly-baked bread and beautifully exquisite cakes quintessential to Japan.
The cakes are light and delicious, and WA Cafe has various teas and coffees. The cafe is elegant and simplistic, with friendly and helpful staff.
- A melt-in-your-mouth Strawberry Cheesecake: £5.00
- Matcha Roll: £5.40
- Sandwich Chicken Katsu: £8.40
WA Cafe also makes whole cakes.
- Frozen Matcha Tiramisu: £52.80
WA Cafe does not take reservations and can get busy. During these times, they introduce a 1-hour seating time.
There is a delivery service from Covent Garden and Ealing Broadway.
Address: 5 New Row, London, WC2N 4LH
Telephone: 020 7240 5567
6. JP Books – The Bookstore
JP Books has been trading in London since 2000. The bookstore stocks one of the most extensive ranges of Japanese books and learning materials in the UK. They also sell manga, stationery and a small range of gifts, and they can arrange a subscription to any Japanese magazine.
It is possible to purchase novels and non-fiction books translated into English. You can also buy bi-lingual comics, including a Snoopy collection, for £9.90.
JP Books are a regular trader at several markets across London, including Coal’s Drop Yard at Kings Cross and Japanese-themed markets such as Tottenham.
Address: JPT EUROPE LTD T/A JP BOOKS, Office 1, 289 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5QY
Telephone: 020 7839 4839
7. Japan Craft – The Craft Shop
If you are an anime lover or looking for a Japanese-themed outing, Japan Craft is a must-see Japanese gift shop in London. You can find this fun shop in Camden Lock Market. In addition to anime and manga, the store sells a fantastic range of Japanese candy and snacks and various gifts and merchandise that are authentic to Japan.
The extensive range includes the popular lucky charm, the lucky cat, starting from £9.00. There are cast iron teapots at £70.00, and the manga and anime products range starts with stickers at £3.00.
The willing and helpful staff are happy to translate if you need help understanding Japanese.
Address: Unit 2, Market Hall, Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London, NW1 8AL
Telephone: 0207 267 2789
Tips for Finding Japanese Shops in London
- Check opening hours. Some smaller shops, like Furuki Yo-Kimono Vintage, have reduced opening hours, such as 12 – 5 pm, or are open for appointment. You might find them at a market at certain seasonal times, and the shop is closed for that period.
- Can you make reservations? If you want to head to a Japanese coffee shop with a good reputation, it might be worth checking to make a reservation. Some cafes, such as WA Cafe, do not, so be prepared to queue.
- Get an idea of the price. Independent shops can have a reputation for being on the pricier side. You can get an idea of prices by checking websites or reviews.
- Are you looking for something specific? If you have something particular in mind, it could be worth checking if they have it in stock before heading down.
