Walk ten minutes south of Tokyo’s Asakusa area to arrive at Kuramae, a city that combines old shitamachi (traditional district) vibes with modern taste. Long known as a city of craftsmanship, many shops here have garnered attention in recent years for their efforts toward sustainability. Below, you’ll find a diverse list of sustainable spots to visit.
This stationery store is known for its customizable notebooks and planners. It offers products made with recycled materials and sustainable processes, and every item is made to last. With the wide range of modern designs, you’re sure to discover something you like.
| Address | 1-6-2 Misuji, Taito-ku |
| Business hours | 11:00–18:00 |
| Regular holiday | Mondays |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/kakimori_tokyoshop/tagged/ |
At this shop, you’ll find upcycled bags and other fashion accessories. The “Rair Bag,” a bag made from recycled, unused airbags, is a high-quality product that is durable and stylish. Recommend for both daily use and as a special gift.
| Address | 2-10-11 Kuramae, Taito-ku |
| Business hours | Varies depending on the day (Refer to website and social media) |
| Regular holiday | Mondays, Tuesdays |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/rairbagproject/ |
This long-established sandwich shop has been beloved by locals since its opening in 1958. Your tastebuds will be in for a ride whether you choose delicately sweet fruit sandwiches, shrimp steak cutlet, egg salad, or other savory sandwiches. The store’s leftover bread crusts are donated and upcycled into the craft beer “Kuramae WHITE.”
| Address | Mori Building, 4-21-2 Kuramae, Taito-ku |
| Business hours | 8:00–18:00 |
| Regular holiday | Mondays, national holidays |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/applemalum/ |
This roastery selects coffee beans with three goals in mind: “Delicious,” “Support farmers,” and “Protect the land of the coffee’s origins.” The company demonstrates their strong commitment to sustainability through efforts such as serving coffee with sweets made by people with intellectual disabilities and producing beer, miscellaneous goods, and compost using upcycled waste arising from the roasting process.
| Address | 2-3-1 Kuramae, Taito-ku |
| Business hours | 12:00–17:00 |
| Regular holiday | Mondays, Wednesdays, Sundays, national holidays |
Sustainable craft beers are here! “Kuramae BLACK,” made with discarded coffee beans from the roastery en-no-ki Co., Ltd., showcases the acidity and bitterness unique to coffee. “Kuramae WHITE,” which uses leftover bread crusts from Marcelino Mori, offers a mellow flavor that wafts with a toasted aroma.
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/asahi_youus/ |
Why not try both beers at once? You can drink them inside this liquor shop right after purchasing them.
| Address | 1F, 4-37-4 Kuramae, Taito-ku |
| Business hours | 15:00–21:00 (Weekdays), 11:00–20:00 (Weekends and national holidays) |
| Regular holiday | Tuesdays, Wednesdays |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/kakuuchi_cafe_futaba/ |
The theme of this cafe-restaurant is “sustainability.” The first floor is a shop selling daily goods and various other items, and the second floor serves dishes catering to gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and other diets and food cultures. The interior, designed by architect KUMA Kengo, incorporates elements such as lamps upcycled from plastic bottles and fire hoses no longer in use.
*Open until December 2024, with plans to relocate in Spring/Summer 2025
| Address | 2-10-11 Kuramae, Taito-ku |
| Business hours | Varies depending on the day (Refer to website and social media) |
| Regular holiday | Mondays, Tuesdays |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/kawakitchen.jp/ |
