LEMON GASUI in front of JR Ochanomizu Station is not just simply an art supply store, but a very unique and exciting store selling artistic stationery, super-cute items, and all kinds of supplies and tools related to architectural design from all over the world. With its long history of about 100 years, LEMON GASUI looks like a museum or a magician’s kitchen. It’s a MUST-VISIT!
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First, check out the painting materials and kawaii stationery!
LEMON GASUI has a total of five floors, from the basement floor to the 4th floor. On the first floor, painting materials and stationery are sold. All of the products and items are carefully selected by the shop staff. But be warned: there is so much cute stationery that you might want to buy everything!
Not only Japanese brands but also famous brands from all over the world are available.
Especially, the masking tape corner is a must-see! LEMON GASUI has a huge collection of rare masking tape, that you might have never seen before. The tape is great as a small gift for someone or for yourself.
The staff’s original works are exhibited everywhere in the store. Looking at their works will inspire you to start creating something yourself!
LEMON GASUI: A sanctuary for architects and architecture geeks
If you are interested in architecture, be sure to go upstairs and look around the second to the fourth floor.
LEMON GASUI specializes in materials you need to build architectural models as well as design tools.
From famous design offices to aspiring architecture students from all over Japan, everyone buys their supplies here. One reason for that is LEMON GASUI being often recommended by university professors to college students enrolled in the Department of Architecture, who need to purchase their very first design tools. They’ll keep coming throughout their studies until they eventually need to select materials for their graduating architectural model. That’s how great the selection is. They have everything for beginners and professionals!
It’s the 21st century and – of course – LEMON GASUI has an online store, but still many students and architects prefer coming in because they like to actually see and touch the materials and get advice from the staff.
You don’t have to be an architect to find something cute or practical at LEMON GASUI. Their wide variety is just amazing!
But why “lemon”?
The roots of LEMON GASUI are found in a Western-style painting materials store founded in 1923. Since that time, the shop has developed steadily, and in 1950, a cafe opened, offering freshly squeezed lemon and fruit juice – a popular drink at that time. Half of the shop was a cafe and the other half sold art supplies. That’s the reason why the shop was named “LEMON GASUI”. It literally translates as “lemon art supplies”.
Later, the art supply store and cafe became separate stores, but you can still drink their freshly squeezed fruit juice at the restaurant “Trattoria LEMON”. The restaurant is within walking distance from LEMON GASUI, so don’t forget to stop by!
LEMON GASUI Ochanomizu Main Store
https://lemongasui.co.jp (Japanese)
https://lemongasui.co.jp/?lang=en (English)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemongasui/
2-6-12 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://g.page/lemongasui
Nearest stations: Ochanomizu Station, Shin-Ochanomizu Station
Trattoria LEMON
https://trattorialemon.jp
1-5-5 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/wBLR1VjJqr5RhxoRA
Nearest stations: Ochanomizu Station, Shin-Ochanomizu Station
