Top 8 Japanese specialty shops in Paris
Gaijin Paris
Specialty: Household & lifestyle
2nd hand stores find themselves in their golden age. However, “Gaijin Paris” in the midst of the Marais district sets itself apart by offering carefully curated collections of high-end 2nd hand fashion from Japan. What started as a pop-up project by founders Thomas Robert and Chahine Bettat, quickly became a mainstay in Paris' fashion scene.
Driven by a passion for sharing Japanese culture, fabrics, and fashion, the duo sources and curates a rotating collection of unique, timeless pieces. Among their selection, you can expect to find coveted designs from the likes of Yohji Yamamoto, Kenzo, Tsumori Chisato, Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, and many more. Whether you're a seasoned fashionista or simply looking for a unique addition to your wardrobe, Gaijin Paris is a must-visit destination for anyone with a love of fashion or Japanese culture.
Location: 20 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 Paris
Website: gaijinparis.com
Gaijin Paris storefront
Junkudo
Specialty: Books
Junkudo, nicknamed “the Japanese library”, is located in the heart of the Japanese quarters in Paris. Once you head inside it’s easy to mistake the place for a bookshop in Tokyo’s Jimbocho district. From magazines like Vogue Japan or Popeye, to Japanese novels and manga in both French and Japanese. Junkudo is a walhalla for anyone who seeks any kind of Japanese literature, of course at 2 to 3 times the price you would pay in Japan.
The majority of the staff is Japanese, maybe that’s one of the reasons Junkudo feels like a soothing haven of hospitality in Paris’ assertive environment. As in any bookstore, you can easily get lost in Junkudo as you explore the different floors and categories they have to offer.
Location: 18 Rue des Pyramides, 75001 Paris
Website: junku.fr
Junkudo, the Japanese library
Japanese Knife Company
Specialty: Knives
Japan is renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship, with none more iconic than the Japanese knife. Located on the East side of the 7th arrondissement, the "Japanese Knife Company" is a small yet expertly curated boutique, showcasing a carefully crafted collection of affordable Japanese knives, each one elegantly displayed as a true work of art. The shop is run by a thoughtful Japanese lady, taking the time to listen to your personal needs and share her expertise.
For the ambitious hobby chefs among you, the Japanese Knife Company offers high-quality Gyuto, Santoku and Nakiri collections starting from € 155. For those seeking more luxurious options, explore the collection further to discover unique Sujihiki and Kiritsuke knives priced up to nearly €1000. You’ll find different knife making techniques from a variety of manufacturers in Japan. If you decide to acquire one of their unique pieces of craftsmanship, they offer an in-house sharpening service and lessons on cutting techniques and sharpening. A visit to Japan Knife Company is a delightful experience, even if you're just casually browsing through their collection and admiring the craftsmanship from a distance.
Location: 3 Rue Paul-Louis Courier, 75007 Paris
Website: japaneseknifecompany.fr
Japanese Knife Company Paris
Ikian
Specialty: Japanese fashion
Hidden in the Marais district you find Ikian, a small boutique mainly showcasing collections by Japanese fashion designer Chikako Inoue. Inoue is known for merging Japanese traditional style with European elegance. The result of this mix in style and design is her clothing brand Trazita and signature shoe brand Ikitabi, inspired by the traditional Jikatabi or split-toe shoe.
The Trazita and Ikitabi collections make up for most of the items displayed in the boutique. In addition to Inoue's personal work, the boutique features a thoughtfully curated selection of high-quality clothing and accessories, including exquisite kimonos, gamaguchi bags, getas, and jewelry hand-selected by Inoue herself. So don’t be surprised by the boutique’s limited size. With so much to explore, a visit to Ikian is sure to transport you to the enchanting world of Japanese fashion and craftsmanship.
Location: 23 Rue des Blancs Manteaux, 75004 Paris
Website: ikian.fr
Ikian Paris
Bows & arrows
Specialty: Japanese gifts
Located just a short stroll away from Place de la République, a charming gift shop catches your attention. With its striking exterior, featuring a bold red and white color scheme, it doesn't take the witted traveler long to assume the theme of this boutique.
“Bows & Arrows” is a delightful shop, selling carefully curated Japanese lifestyle brands. They select their items based on a number of criteria such as production quality, originality of the design, and the fact that the items are made in Japan. Their products range over different categories from traditional Daruma dolls to warosoku candles, backpacks and washi paper notebooks. You can even find a small collection of food and beverages. As a bonus they produce a yearly print magazine dedicated to Japanese contemporary craft. “Bows and Arrows” is a must have on your list of favorite Japanese stores!
Location: 17 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, 75003 Paris
Website: bows-and-arrows.net
Bows & Arrows Paris
Muji
Specialty: Household & lifestyle
Probably the most known recommendation on this list is “Muji”, the famous variety store founded in Japan. Muji does not exclusively sell Japanese items, but its philosophy of functional, quality design with a minimalistic aesthetic is closely aligned with the fundamental ideals of Japanese culture.
A combination of gray and wooden interior elements in the store make up for the zen atmosphere you’ll experience when entering Muji at Forum Des Halles. The brand goes by the idea that consumers require the appropriate tools for a task, rather than luxurious items that fulfill the same function. This results in their selective collection of sober but qualitative lifestyle items of all kinds, from slippers to skincare.
Location: 1 Porte Pont Neuf, 75001 Paris
Website: muji.eu
Muji Paris
Kimonoya
Specialty: Kimono & accessories
A 10 minute walk from Notre Dame and you’ll end up spotting the green façade of Kimonoya, a Japanese specialty boutique dedicated to the art of the Kimono. It’s the oldest Japanese craft shop in Paris, founded in 1982. Every year founder and stylist Machi Kojima sources the most exquisite pieces of clothing and refined accessories in Japan and brings them back to the streets of Paris.
Kimonoya’s focus is on traditional Japanese clothing, with a wide variety of Kimonos, Haoris, and Yukatas making up the majority of the store's collection. However, the selection of Japanese goods doesn't stop there. You can browse an array of items, including Geta, the iconic wooden shoes, Furoshiki, a fabric folding technique used for gift wrapping, and Shodō, calligraphy accessories, among many others.
Location: 11 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe
Website: kimonoya.fr
Kimonoya Paris
Antiques & accessories
For all your needs of Japanese antiques and accessories, there are various shops spread over Paris. Yodoya on Rue Lamartine brings you small traditional gifts and a selective collection of clothing in their cute boutique. If you didn’t find the soothing gift at Yodoya, continue the search in Cool Japan, located a 15 minute walk from Yodoya, on the Rue Sainte-Anne, the heart of the Japanese quarters. For those seeking even more exclusive and hard-to-find items from Japan, Ikat is a highly regarded importer with several locations throughout the city. Their selection includes rarities and traditional objects sourced directly from Japan, making it a destination for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Whether you're looking for a charming traditional gift or a rare and unique item, these shops offer an extensive range of Japanese antiques and accessories that are sure to impress.
That concludes our selection of the top Japanese specialty shops in Paris. Even if you don't have a specific item in mind, these stores offer a chance to explore and appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of Japanese culture, selected for their commitment to sharing and celebrating the richness of Japanese heritage.
Whether you're a seasoned collector, a curious window shopper, or simply looking for a unique gift, each of these shops offers an immersive experience that goes beyond just retail therapy. Take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Paris and discover the hidden gems that await you at Yodoya, Cool Japan, Ikitabi, Ikian, Kimonoya, Gaijin Paris, Muji, and beyond.
Did we miss your favourite spot? If you know a place that meets the requirements and you feel that it deserves a spot on this list, let us know via info@yokogaomag.com, and we will check it out.
