Japanese Local Travel Guide – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Hidden Gems in Japan A pro DIY shop on Shin-Okubo’s main street—surprisingly deep inside, with a basement “timber jungle,” Japanese hand tools, and precision cutting services.
A Different Side of Shin-Okubo
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Shin-Okubo is famous for Korean food, cosmetics, and K-pop energy—but it’s also a great neighborhood for “real Tokyo errands.” The fun part is the contrast: one minute you’re passing snack stands and beauty shops, the next you’re stepping into a serious DIY store that feels like a hidden layer of the city.
Best timing tip: do the DIY shop first, then reward yourself with Korea Town treats on the way back.
Looks Small From the Street—But It’s a DIY Labyrinth Inside
From the main street, the entrance looks almost too modest for a “real” hardware store. But the moment you step inside, the shop keeps unfolding—deeper, denser, more serious. It’s the kind of place where every aisle feels like a new chapter: plumbing parts, tapes, tools, paints… and then more.
Even without a huge storefront, the store uses space in a very Tokyo way—packed vertically and efficiently—so browsing here feels like exploring a compact DIY universe.
This clever use of vertical space feels very Tokyo—making the shop memorable even if you’re just browsing.
Explore the Underground Timber Jungle
The basement is where your expectations flip. What felt like a compact city shop suddenly turns into a materials world—boards, wood, and that instant “I could build something today” feeling.
Tokyo doesn’t always have wide open spaces, so the city gets creative: what you can’t spread out horizontally, you stack and organize vertically. This shop feels like a practical example of that mindset—tight at first glance, but surprisingly expansive once you’re inside.
(Tip: even if you’re not shopping seriously, it’s worth visiting just for the atmosphere—the calm “workshop energy” is real.)
The Best Japanese Souvenir: Hand Tools
If you’re traveling with DIY friends (or you’re the DIY friend), Japanese hand tools can be the perfect practical souvenir—especially items woodworkers love, like pull saws and sharpening stones.
Online shopping is convenient, but browsing in a real local store is different: you can compare sizes, feel the weight, and notice details you’d never catch on a screen. It’s also a great way to bring home something that feels genuinely Japan-made, not just “Japan-inspired.”
Watch Japanese Precision at Work
One of the most Tokyo-friendly perks here is the paid cutting / drilling service for items purchased in-store. If you catch the service area in action, it feels like a live DIY museum—calm, careful measurement, clean cuts, and a steady workflow that makes you want to start a project the same day.
You shouldn’t expect detailed English explanations—but the staff are surprisingly kind and patient. If you have a photo and the measurements on your phone, even simple gestures are usually enough to make the shopping experience work smoothly.
Service notes
- Cutting and drilling are available for items bought in the shop.
- Same-day processing has cutoff times (weekday 17:00 / Saturday 16:30).
Bonus: A Hit-or-Miss Treasure Hunt Corner
If you’re lucky, you might spot a bargain corner with wood offcuts or fabric scraps. It’s irregular, so it’s a true “hit-or-miss” treasure hunt—worth a quick peek.
This is the fun contrast to the “reliable store” vibe: most things feel dependable… and then you get a tiny moment of treasure-hunting.
The Walk: Korea Town On the Way In (and Especially on the Way Out)
To make this visit feel like a mini adventure, treat the walk as part of the story. The area around Okubo-dori and the connecting lanes is packed with food, sweets, cosmetics, and K-culture shops.
My favorite route idea
- Before: keep it light—grab a quick drink/snack, don’t fill up.
- After: go all-in—street snacks, dessert, and a slow browse through beauty shops.
Quick Info
Shinjuku Nichiyou Daiku Center (DIY時代＝DIY Jidai)
- Access: about 10 min walk from Shin-Okubo Station / about 15 min from Higashi-Shinjuku Station
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00 / Sat & holidays 10:00–18:00
- Closed: Sundays (some holidays may vary)
- Cutting/Drilling: paid service available + same-day cutoff times (weekday 17:00 / Saturday 16:30)
FAQ
Is it worth visiting if I’m not buying anything?
Yes—because the store layout itself is fun, and browsing here feels like exploring a compact “DIY labyrinth.” Even a quick visit gives you that workshop-energy atmosphere.
Is the shop easy to reach on foot?
Yes—walking access from Shin-Okubo Station and Higashi-Shinjuku is straightforward, and the Korea Town streets make the walk part of the experience.
