Introduction
So you’re visiting Japan and want to go on an origami paper shopping expedition — and you’ve decided that you’d rather buy in-person, not online. You may or may not already have an idea of the paper type that’s right for you. But where does one find origami paper?
Broadly speaking, there are four kinds of places where you can buy origami paper.
- Origami specialists. The be-all-and-end-all for anyone interested in origami and only origami. Not all of them are created equal — some are better stocked than others, but all are helmed by folding enthusiasts.
- Paper specialists. Handmade washi (Japanese paper) is the main product — sold by the sheet, or in the form of products like notebooks, envelopes, etc. They will often sell origami paper, but the extent of the selection varies by shop.
- Stationery shops. Good places to pick up basic supplies in a pinch — even little mom-and-pop shops will have a basic variety pack of origami paper that’s mostly targeted at kids.
- Variety shops. These sell everything and anything from scrunchies to soap trays, and are likely to have basic selections of origami paper. Think chains like Loft, Daiso, Hands, and 3 Coins, all of which have outlets in major cities nationwide.
Origami specialists
Origami Kaikan (Origami Museum)
If you only have time for one origami stop during your trip, Origami Kaikan is an excellent contender. Open since 1858, this six-floor institution in the Ochanomizu neighbourhood dedicated to the art of origami is still going strong in 2026. Besides the excellent selection of paper and books, there are many gorgeous origami artworks and models on display, and even a paper dyeing studio on the fourth floor. Origami workshops are by appointment. It’s easy to lose yourself for an hour or two here. If you’re lucky, the Director himself — origami master Kobayashi Kazuo — may be around to fold you a rose.
Origami no Kurasawa
An origami specialist in Asakusa located a hop and a skip from Taro’s Origami Studio (see below). Origami no Kurasawa stocks an incredible selection of origami paper and books (mostly in Japanese). You’ll find almost any kind of paper you might want to fold with — especially if it’s made in Japan — and at very affordable prices. The only downside is that they’re closed on weekends.
Origami House
Origami House is a bit of a hub for the domestic and international origami community. It is nominally a store, and has a well-curated if small selection of papers and books by Japanese origami artists. Yamaguchi Makoto’s books were most recently featured on their website; there’s a fantastic looking one called Origami Aquarium. There is a gallery, entry to which is by reservation only. This place might perhaps be a little intimidating for the casual origami hobbyist, but a wonderful little spot for true anoraks.
Tokyo Origami Museum
“Museum” is a bit of a misnomer — Tokyo Origami Museum is really a modestly-sized shop and gallery. Besides paper, they sell books, magazines, and various publications by the Japan Origami Museum. Origami classes are available, and some of the intricate origami artworks on display are for sale. (A flower brooch makes an excellent souvenir.) In general, better for enthusiasts than casual beginners. The shop is in a residential area east of Asakusa across the Sumida River.
Taro’s Origami Studio
Taro’s Origami Studio is a relatively new spot opened in 2023 by Taro Yaguchi, an international patent lawyer with a side passion for origami. This is the Tokyo extension of his first origami studio in Brooklyn opened in 2011. It is located right between the Sumida Riverfront Park and Sensoji Temple area, ensuring plenty of foot traffic. The shop is light on the paper and books selection, as it seems largely to be a space for installations, exhibitions, and workshops. They offer 30-45 minute origami workshops, which make an ideal addition to an afternoon in Asakusa.
Paper shops
Ozu Washi
If you didn’t love paper before, you will after visiting Ozu Washi in Nihonbashi — they’ve been selling handmade Japanese paper since 1653 and clearly know what they’re doing. Think shelves filled with woodblock prints, sheaves of exquisitely dyed washi, inks, calligraphy tools, and of course, ready-to-fold origami paper of all kinds. Beyond the retail side of operations, the same building also houses the Ozu History Museum and the Washi Experience Studio.
A fun idea: Make your own washi at the Washi Experience Studio, and then fold an origami model out of it.
Haibara
Haibara is a high-end stationer in Nihonbashi stocking anything and everything related to washi, from letter-writing sets to woodblock prints. Their selection of origami paper is fairly limited, but what they do have in stock is of a good quality. There is also the option of buying washi and repurposing it as origami paper.
Kyukyodo
Nearby in Ginza is Kyukyodo, a distinguished and comparatively more ‘traditional’ stationery store. How traditional? They used to supply incense to the emperor. A great place to pick up gifts. Their hand-dyed yuzen and chiyogami are simply beautiful.
Isetatsu
A very special place for chiyogami. This shop in Yanaka stocks over 1,000 kinds of paper, many of which have been woodblock printed with traditional Edo patterns in vivid colours. While the shop is small, the scope of its collection is not — it is near-impossible to walk out without a purchase. Papers aside, Isetatsu also sells stationery, prints, and all kinds of charming little gifts.
Stationery shops
Itoya
Itoya has outlets in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. However, their Ginza store blows them out of the water with its beautifully curated selection of Japanese and international stationery — from gold-and-lacquer fountain pens and washi to glittery stickers and sketchbooks, there’s virtually nothing they don’t stock. They have a decent collection of origami paper in limited sizes and some origami books on the sixth floor.
Sekaido
Sekaido in Shinjuku has five floors packed with art, craft, and office supplies. Origami papers are on the second floor. The selection is not bad — there are better places on this list — but acceptable if you’re also shopping for art and craft supplies.
Variety shops
Loft
A variety store chain that sells everything you didn’t know you wanted and then some. You may walk in for origami paper and leave with an extra shopping bag of shampoo, face masks, and coffee drippers. You’ll find the basics here at reasonable prices, but for anything extra, you’re better off at an origami specialist. There are several Loft branches around Tokyo, including in Shibuya, Ginza, Kichijoji, and Ueno.
Hands
Hands is a multi-level variety store formerly known as Tokyu Hands, with branches all over Japan. They’re best known for catering to hobbies of all kinds from carpentry and cycling to knitting and making moss terrariums. If you have an interest, they almost certainly have basic supplies for it! Origami papers can be found in the stationery section, in and among the stickers and wrapping paper. Visit the branches in Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Marunouchi.
100 yen stores
The epitome of ‘cheap and cheerful,’ variety shops like Daiso are the ideal place to pick up super basic packs of origami paper — mostly 15x15 cm or smaller — for practice. What they lack in variety they make up for in price. Great for origami hobbyists on a budget. Besides Daiso, check out other 100 yen chains such as Seria, Can Do, and Watts. Most neighbourhoods in Tokyo will have one or several such stores.
By Florentyna Leow