Any Cool Pens To Buy While In Japan (Nagoya & Kyoto)?

[JonW]

Hi Folks,

 

I’m heading to Japan in a few days. My first trip there, so I’m excited. It’s for work and there will not be tons of free time. I’ll mostly be in Nagoya but might get a day trip to Kyoto. I wonder if there are any pens that I should keep an eye open for. You know, something from Japan that I cannot just order online from here in the US. I’ve read through all the Japan trip threads that I can find here but it’s mostly talking about Tokyo, where I won’t be except for the Narita airport.

 

Maybe I could pick up some Iroshuzuku ink, but I’m thinking it’s not a good idea to put that in my checked bag in case it breaks. And I probably can’t carry on liquid like that. So stick with pens. I don’t have any particular budget, I guess. Maybe something in the $50-250 range if a particularly nice pen presents itself.

 

All suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!

[Uncle Red]

Pilot 823 with a stub, music or falcon nib.

[Toolattack]

I would love to see some of the wonderful Namiki pens in the country in which they were made.

To meet the artists making a Namiki Maki-e lacquered pen would be my dream on a trip to Japan.

[humblescribbler]

In 2005 there were several varieties of Pilot (and some Montblanc) in Tokyu Hands department store in Nagoya, where I picked up a Custom 98 in burgundy. You could always stay in Nagoya's Mont Blanc hotel, but not sure they have any pens.

 

If you get to Kyoto, on the same gaijin touring routes as the Golden Temple is this:

Kyoto papermaking and brush drawing here

Do not miss this opportunity if you like watching artists "in the house" when you get to that area. This "handcraft" building features artists at work. I bought a bunch of handmade handbound paper sheafs for sketching. I also wandered off, got lost, and spoke enough Japanese to get directions to a taxi area and was picked up by a cabbie who grew up in California but returned to Japan 20 years previous. Quite an experience.

 

Hang on, there are several ex-pats, travelers and Japan natives on this forum. Good luck, it's a great trip!

[JonW]

Thanks for the tips. That Custom 98 and 823 both look interesting. As does that handcraft spot in Kyoto. Not sure if I'll get to Kyoto for a day but I'm hoping to do so.

 

Mont Blanc has a hotel? Interesting. If it's as expensive as their pens, I may skip it. (Actually, work has me book somewhere specific, so I don't have any say in the matter.)

[seoulseeker]

I was in Japan the other month, and was unfortunately unable to find any Pilots or Namiki pens

 

Saw a few sailors though.

[raging.dragon]

The 823 is readily available in the US only in amber, so I'd suggest getting one in smoke or clear. Also, add the Waverly (WA) to Uncle Red's list of Pilot specialty nibs which are hard to find here. However, if you can't get 4 pens with different nibs, I think the falcon (flex) and music nibs would be most interesting (as factory stubs are fairly easy find from other manufacturers, and the Waverly is just an extra smooth MF nib).

[tenney]

While Tokyu Hands (I've only been to the ones in the Tokyo area) is great, I also fell in love with the Ito Ya Ginza store. Perhaps there's an Ito Ya near where you'll be.

 

But don't forget that most every department store will have a pen department, and there will be small stationery shops with interesting selections too.

[Uncle Red]

Look for the Pilot Heritage 92 with an interesting nib, Jetpens only brings in the basics. Sailor seems to keep some of thier pens closer to home too. A Pro Gear KOP would be worth looking for.

[JonW]

Thanks for the further suggestions. These ideas give me a place to start if I have some time to wander around and look for pens, among other things. The work schedule may be tight, so I'll see if that happens, but I'm hoping that it does.

 

But don't forget that most every department store will have a pen department, and there will be small stationery shops with interesting selections too.

 

I just learned that from reading all the Japan-related threads here, before I posted. Good to know.

[ellen1]

Takyshamaya at the Train Station- 11th floor has a pen counter (there is a big bookstore there, pen counter is small but has alot of Japan

Tokyu Hands at the Train Station - it is actually with Takyshamaya (starts around the 4th floor).

Has good floor with lots of pens and papers and other stationary items.

 

Probably the best bet in Nagoya is Maruzen - It is located in Sakai between the Sakai and Fushumi station on the main drag. It has alot of pens and other things (alot of Japan pens). It is the biggest I know of in Nagoya.

 

Ellen

[JonW]

Great info- thanks Ellen.

 

Have you seen anything at those shops that might be unique for a visitor to Japan? Maybe something that I cannot get in the US and that would be a nice souvenir from the trip?

 

Takyshamaya at the Train Station- 11th floor has a pen counter (there is a big bookstore there, pen counter is small but has alot of Japan

Tokyu Hands at the Train Station - it is actually with Takyshamaya (starts around the 4th floor).

Has good floor with lots of pens and papers and other stationary items.

 

Probably the best bet in Nagoya is Maruzen - It is located in Sakai between the Sakai and Fushumi station on the main drag. It has alot of pens and other things (alot of Japan pens). It is the biggest I know of in Nagoya.

 

Ellen

[P.A.R.]

Let's see... a 3 pack of Preppy's cost me $10 shipped on ebay, and there were $8 (labeled) worth of postage stamps... it's hard to beat $0.66 a pen if you can find them in Japan for a similar price. I would stock up on future giveaways if I were you :roflmho:

Edited January 19, 2012 by P.A.R.

[ehemem]

IIRC, the Pilot 823 can be had in Japan with specialty nibs like the FA (falcon) nib. Can't get them here in the U.S.

[JonW]

Hi Folks,

 

A belated thanks for all of the tips. I had a wonderful trip but, unfortunately, never had any time to shop for pens. Our hosts were amazing, treating us like kings. Which meant that every moment was occupied. Some good news is that it looks like I will be going back to Japan again, maybe next winter. Now that I’ve been there and feel a little more comfortable, maybe I’ll get to carve out a little time to look at pens on my next trip.

 

In case anyone is interested, I just uploaded a few photos from the trip here:

Today I’m putting up other pics as well, so the Japan photos may drop down to the bottom of the page or onto a prior page.