“The Best One-Stop Shop in Shinjuku: From Travel Essentials to Pro DIY Supplies at CAINZ × Hands”

“Tucked inside a luxury department store—perfect for a rainy day—lies a DIY paradise. We explore the unique fusion of CAINZ and Hands, where you can pick up designer home goods, professional-grade cement, and even find a secret connection to an expansive English bookstore. It’s more than shopping—it’s a half-day, weather-proof urban adventure.”

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 Why This Spot Is Perfect for Travelers in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is one of the most exciting areas in Tokyo—but it can also be overwhelming, especially when the weather turns bad or you’re carrying luggage. That’s why the CAINZ × Hands collaboration floor inside Takashimaya Times Square is such a valuable find. It offers far more than simple shopping and works as a reliable travel hub for visitors.

1. Direct Access from Shinjuku Station (Easy Even in Bad Weather)

The biggest advantage is the location. The complex is directly connected to JR Shinjuku Station (New South Exit), and you can also reach it via underground passages. Even on rainy days, you don’t need to go outside.

When sightseeing plans fall apart due to bad weather, this place becomes an all-weather indoor adventure, where you can comfortably spend half a day without worrying about rain or crowds.

2. Great for Quick Fixes: Tape, Hooks, Zip Ties, and Small Tools

Travel problems happen all the time:
a broken suitcase lock, a loose backpack strap, or the sudden need to organize luggage. This is where CAINZ × Hands truly shines.

With everything from professional-grade materials to household DIY tools, you’ll find strong tape, hooks, zip ties, and compact tool kits that can solve travel emergencies instantly. It’s a practical lifesaver for anyone staying in hotels or Airbnb apartments.

3. A Fun Half-Day Route: DIY → Books → Home Goods

Spending time here feels surprisingly luxurious.

Start at the CAINZ × Hands area, where even everyday items—like cleaning tools or building materials—are beautifully designed. Then walk through the connecting passage to Kinokuniya Shinjuku, which has an excellent English book section and a wide selection of English-edition manga.

After browsing books, head back to Hands to explore stylish kitchen goods and interior items.
This seamless route—practical shopping, culture, and lifestyle combined—is easily one of the most satisfying indoor walking courses in Shinjuku.

4. Perfect for Souvenir Hunting, Not Just “Practical Shopping”
his isn’t just a place for daily necessities.

CAINZ’s minimalist, functional original products, Hands’ carefully selected Japanese stationery, and high-quality skincare items make excellent Japan souvenirs—for yourself or for friends. These are thoughtful, design-driven gifts that appeal to travelers who want something more meaningful than typical souvenir-shop items.

If you’re tired of standard tourist souvenirs, this spot offers a refreshing alternative.

A Floor-by-Floor Guide to CAINZ × Hands Shinjuku

CAINZ × Hands in Shinjuku is not just a single shop—it’s a multi-layered shopping experience.
In the following sections, I’ll walk you through the key floors one by one, highlighting what makes each level special and why it’s worth your time as a traveler.

From serious DIY tools to personalized souvenirs and lifestyle essentials, each floor offers a different discovery.

6F: Hands DIY – Better Than Expected in Central Tokyo

Because this floor is located inside a major department-store complex in Shinjuku, I initially assumed it would offer only beginner-friendly, lightweight tools.
But the moment I stepped onto the 6th floor, that assumption was completely shattered.

What opened up in front of me was a serious DIY paradise—one that even professional makers would appreciate.

An inspiring selection that sparks creativity
Neatly arranged materials, shelves filled with carefully categorized parts, and tools organized by purpose. Simply walking through the space makes you wonder, “What could I create with this?”

Even if you’re not a hardcore DIY enthusiast, it’s hard not to feel excited.
The atmosphere is so rich with creative energy that you momentarily forget you’re standing in the middle of one of Tokyo’s busiest districts.

Cool and beautiful: Japanese carpentry tools
One area that immediately caught my eye was the section dedicated to traditional Japanese carpentry tools.

Nomi (chisels) and Kanna (planes):
The polished blades shine as if freshly sharpened by master craftsmen, reflecting generations of skill and dedication.

Nokogiri (Japanese saws):
Unlike Western push saws, Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke. Their thin, razor-sharp blades combine precision and efficiency in a way that feels almost sculptural—pure functional beauty.

These tools go beyond being mere equipment. They represent Japanese craftsmanship at its finest and are increasingly admired by international travelers as cool, authentic design objects.

Perfect compact tools for a “personal souvenir”
The floor isn’t only about heavy-duty professional tools. You’ll also find beautifully designed hand tools and compact woodworking kits that are easy to carry home.

Picking up a tool that embodies Japan’s attention to detail, quality, and design—and taking it back as a personal Japanese souvenir—is a unique experience in itself.
It’s not something you’ll find in a typical souvenir shop, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Beyond tools and materials, this floor also offers everyday items that feel deeply Japanese—and surprisingly exciting for travelers.

One standout example is the beer mugs commonly used in Japanese izakaya. These are the same sturdy, well-balanced glass mugs you’ll see when ordering draft beer at local bars. They’re practical, durable, and instantly recognizable as part of everyday Japanese dining culture.

Bringing one home isn’t just about owning a glass—it’s about recreating a small, familiar moment from your trip. It’s the kind of souvenir you’ll actually use, not something that stays on a shelf.

8F: CAINZ × Hands – Smart Living, Japanese Style

1. Japanese Minimalist Design (The CAINZ design philosophy)

CAINZ’s private-label products are known for their clean, functional design and have received multiple Good Design Awards in Japan.

Because Japanese homes are often compact, everyday items have evolved to be both beautiful and practical—designed to blend naturally into interiors even when left out.
At CAINZ, you’ll find minimalist, highly functional household items at surprisingly affordable prices.

2. Travel-Friendly Sizes (Smart products you can actually take home)

Home centers are often associated with bulky items, but the urban-style CAINZ store in Shinjuku is different. Many products are designed with portability in mind.

Beyond furniture, you’ll find foldable hangers, compact kitchen tools, and impressively effective cleaning products—all small enough to fit neatly into a suitcase. These clever inventions make perfect travel finds.

3. The “Life-Hack” Culture(Japanese ideas that make daily life easier)

One of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese home goods is the culture of small life hacks—simple ideas that save time and effort.

From standing-use brooms to laundry hangers that can be removed with one hand, these thoughtfully designed tools reflect Japan’s attention to detail. They’re not just convenient souvenirs—they’re items that continue to improve your everyday life long after your trip ends.

The Collaboration: CAINZ × Hands(Two iconic stores, one destination)

CAINZ (practical, affordable, design-driven) and Hands (creative, cultural, maker-focused) coming together in one location is what makes this floor special.
If you’re looking for professional tools and creative materials, Hands delivers. If you want smart, beautifully designed everyday items, CAINZ excels.
Together, they form a one-stop destination where travelers can experience Japanese craftsmanship and modern living in a single visit—right in the heart of Shinjuku.

4F: Personalized Wappa Bento Boxes – A Taste of Japanese Personalization Culture

While many souvenirs are meant to be displayed, this one is designed to be used every day.
On the 6th floor, you’ll find a beautifully curated bento box section, including wappa-style wooden bento boxes—a classic part of Japanese food culture.

What makes this experience special is the personalization service.

Name engraving: a souvenir made just for you

At the engraving counter on the 4th floor, you can order a custom name engraving on selected wappa bento boxes.
This isn’t a mass-produced novelty—it’s a quiet, thoughtful form of personalization that reflects Japan’s approach to craftsmanship.

Important details to know before ordering:

• Order desk: 4F
• Ordering time: about 30 minutes
• Production time: approximately 1 week (not same-day)

This makes it ideal for travelers staying longer in Tokyo, or for those who can receive the item later.

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Why wappa bento boxes matter in Japan

Wappa bento boxes are traditionally made from thinly carved wood and are valued for their lightness and breathability. They help keep rice fresh and meals delicious, and they’ve been used in Japanese households for generations.

Choosing a wappa bento isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about embracing a small, everyday tradition that connects food, care, and craftsmanship.

A different kind of souvenir

Adding your name transforms the bento box into something deeply personal.
It becomes an object that quietly integrates into your daily routine—whether you use it for lunches at work or picnics on weekends.

Unlike decorative souvenirs, this is something you’ll reach for again and again.
Each time you do, it brings back a gentle memory of your time in Japan.

Books Kinokuniya: A Literary Bridge from DIY to Culture

After exploring Japanese craftsmanship at CAINZ and Hands, why not take the next step and dive deeper into the cultural background behind the tools?
Directly connected by an indoor passageway, Books Kinokuniya Tokyo is a true treasure house of knowledge—one that allows travelers to understand Japan from multiple perspectives through books.

1. Dive into Japanese Literature (Modern & Classic)

The English-language fiction section here is surprisingly extensive. From internationally acclaimed contemporary authors like Haruki Murakami and Mieko Kawakami to classic literary giants such as Natsume Sōseki and Yukio Mishima, you’ll find a wide selection of Japanese novels in translation.

Reading these works offers a unique way to experience Japan—through stories that reveal the country’s subtle sensibilities, emotional depth, and ways of thinking.

2. Explore the Depths of Japanese Culture

Beyond fiction, Books Kinokuniya excels in cultural nonfiction.
Architecture, gardens, tea ceremony, martial arts, and even modern social issues—books introducing every aspect of Japanese culture in English are gathered here, making this one of the strongest selections in Tokyo.

You may even find specialized titles explaining the history of Japanese carpentry tools and the philosophy of craftsmanship behind them. Learning the meaning and context of the tools you’ve just seen—or purchased—adds an entirely new layer to your travel experience.

3. An Extensive Manga Collection for All Fans

Of course, no Japanese bookstore would be complete without manga—and the scale here is impressive.
From the latest popular titles to artistically ambitious graphic novels, the manga section offers a broad range of genres in both English translations and original Japanese editions.

Whether you approach manga as entertainment or as a distinctive visual art form, this collection showcases the richness and diversity of Japan’s storytelling culture.

4. A Seamless Journey on a Rainy Day

Thanks to the dedicated indoor walkway from Takashimaya Times Square, reaching Books Kinokuniya is effortless—even in the rain.
Moving seamlessly from practical tools to intellectual curiosity, this route is one of the most refined rainy-day experiences Shinjuku has to offer.

Finding a book that speaks to you, sitting down somewhere quiet, and reflecting on your journey—there are few places better suited for such a luxurious pause in the middle of a busy city.

My Personal Selection: Japanese Masterpieces Found at Kinokuniya

Books Kinokuniya Tokyo, inside Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square, felt less like an ordinary bookstore and more like a museum of Japanese culture.
Among its shelves, I came across several items that made me pause and think, “This is genuinely cool.”
Here are three Japanese masterpieces that left a strong impression on me.

An Iconic Presence: AKIRA 35th Anniversary Box Set

One item that immediately stood out was the 35th Anniversary Box Set of AKIRA—a legendary manga known worldwide.
Even years after its release, the box set commands attention. The moment you hold it, you feel its weight—both physical and cultural.

The exquisite binding and printing quality showcase Japan’s world-class craftsmanship. It’s not just a book set; it’s a lifetime treasure, worthy of being called a true masterpiece.

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A Master Loved in Europe: The Solitary Gourmet by Jiro Taniguchi

Another discovery was The Solitary Gourmet, a quiet yet powerful work deeply connected to Japan’s food culture.
Its illustrator, Jiro Taniguchi, is highly respected in Europe—particularly in France—where he is celebrated as an artist and has even received national honors.

His understated lines and calm compositions capture everyday Japanese life with remarkable elegance. Spending time with his work feels less like reading manga and more like viewing a series of refined paintings—an experience that feels especially meaningful in this bookstore.

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Tradition in Everyday Life: Kinokuniya’s Logo Book Covers

Finally, I was reminded of one of Japan’s most charming everyday traditions: the book cover.
When you purchase a book at Kinokuniya, it’s carefully wrapped in a paper cover featuring the store’s iconic logo.

It’s a small gesture, but slipping a book wrapped this way into your bag feels like taking home a quiet, personal memory of Japan.
Simple, thoughtful, and deeply ingrained in daily life—this tradition perfectly reflects the Japanese approach to care and detail.

Why This Route Works So Well for Travelers

What makes this Shinjuku route special is not any single shop, but the way everything connects—practically, physically, and culturally.

You begin with tools and materials at Hands and CAINZ, where Japan’s approach to craftsmanship and problem-solving becomes tangible. From there, the experience naturally expands: everyday life design, personalized objects, and finally, books that reveal the cultural and intellectual background behind what you’ve seen and touched.

All of this happens indoors, directly connected to Shinjuku Station. On a rainy day—or during a long stay—this seamless flow turns what could be a stressful shopping trip into a calm, layered experience.

This route works especially well for long-stay visitors using Airbnb or serviced apartments. You can fix small problems, upgrade daily comfort, find meaningful souvenirs, and deepen your understanding of Japan—all in one place, at your own pace.

Perhaps most importantly, it reflects something deeply Japanese: the idea that usefulness, beauty, and culture are not separate. Tools lead to daily life, daily life leads to personal expression, and personal expression leads to stories and ideas.

In the middle of one of Tokyo’s busiest areas, this quiet, thoughtful route offers travelers something rare—a chance to slow down and connect.

If you’re looking for a rainy-day plan that feels both practical and deeply cultural, this Shinjuku route is hard to beat！