Multi-brands shop, KataKana

A SHOP WHERE ALL COOL JAPANESE ITEMS GATHER, KATAKANA.

Who doesn't want a choice, especially seeking for worth buying goods as souvenir? Personally, giving souvenir bought in airport is too obvious to tell that you care about the person. But let me say also that there are people who like staple souvenirs such as keyring of foreign landmark, huge package of chocolate, perfume of an expensive brand, and so on.

If not, "KataKana" (カタカナ) is one of the place you'd want to take a peak in. It's a shop where all cool items gather and they are made in Japan.

No more than 200m away from Jiyugaoka station. Items variation is amazingly wide, your intention of buying will surely be stimulated. Leather items, shoes, tenugui, plates, bowls, chopsticks rest, stationaries, kids toys, and many many other miscellaneous goods are sold.

All items are selected by the shop owner and they are all cool.

Chopsticks rest - Japan Airline B767-300, (飛行機箸置き JL B767-300).

Price: ¥1,080

Chopsticks rest - ANA NH B787-9, (飛行機箸置き全日本空輸/NH B787-9)

Price: ¥1,080

Chopsticks rest - Shinkansen E5 Hayabusa, (新幹線箸置き E5系はやぶさ)

Price: ¥1,080

Many more of these airplane and Shinkansen chopsticks rests are sold at the store. Their size is suitable for use of cutlery rest. What makes me amazed is Shinkansen type are "Hasamiyaki" (波佐見焼) pottery. Hasami-yaki porcelain is one of the most famous pottery in Japan. Its history is about 400 years.

Shibata Yoshinobu shoten Magewappa Kikoribento, (柴田慶信商店曲げわっぱきこり弁当).

Price: ¥14,040

2 layer bento box of "Magewappa" by Shibata Yoshinobu shoten. These bento boxes are sold out as soon as stocks come into the store. "Magewappa" (曲げわっぱ) is Akita's traditional crafts made by bending thin boards of cryptomeria into desired form. Akita cryptomeria's feature is its straightness. Using such characteristic, bending purely requires years of experience and practice. Another feature is absorbing moisture. That is why so many Magewappa crafts are bento boxes and rice bowls.

kagayaka Mt.Fuji 360°memo, (カガヤカ Mr.Fuji 360°memo).

Price: ¥1,080

3D memo pad. You can widen it and place it on your desk. One of other popular item that its stock is constantly shortage because of popularity.

Takakura kogei Nanbuhoki blue, (高倉工芸南部箒和洋服ブルーム)

Price: ¥16,200

A broom for cloth. It is used to sustain knit wear to become fluffy. Even cashmere wear can be benefited. Gently sweep using the top of the broom. Lints and fluffing fiber will be straighten up. This price can be convincing because it takes literally months to finish up these broom, and they are all hand made by craftsman.

These are just a part of what the store sales. Make a stop at Jiyugaoka if you are interested. You won't regret it.