Fabric Shopping in Japan: Tokyo's Niporri Fabric Town and Kyoto's Nomura Tailor

Sew, Jahit
14 hours ago
2 min read

Read about my recent fabric shopping experience in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan!

During my January 2026 trip to Japan, I had the chance to explore some of the fabric shopping spots in Kyoto and Tokyo. As a sewing enthusiast, I was eager to discover the unique textiles and stores that Japan offers. My journey took me first to Kyoto’s Nomura Tailor, a well-known fabric shop with a rich history. In the Tokyo-leg of my Japan trip, I visited into Tokyo’s Niporri Fabric Town, focusing on the main Tomato store and several other shops nearby. This post shares my personal experience, the fabrics I found, and what I bought along the way.

Nomura Tailor in Kyoto

Located in a bustling part of Kyoto, Nomura Tailor offers a wide range of textiles. When I stepped inside, I was immediately drawn to the neatly arranged bolts of fabric, from delicate cotton prints to luxurious silks.

Nomura Tailor sells a huge variety of fabrics, suited for both everyday wear and more formal garments, and of course - quilting! I found many Japanese cottons with intricate patterns inspired by nature, such as cherry blossoms and waves. The quality was exceptional, and the textures ranged from soft and lightweight to more structured materials.

The staff was friendly and although there was a slight language barrier, basic communication such as asking about minimum purchase quantities, price, and placing orders were easy.

Nomura Tailor also offers sewing patterns and notions.

Niporri Fabric Town in Tokyo

Niporri Fabric Town in Tokyo is a vibrant town dedicated to textiles and sewing supplies. It’s a must-visit for any sewing enthusiasts visiting Tokyo! The area is packed with shops offering everything from basic cottons to high-end designer fabrics as well as other craft materials like leather and notions.

The Tomato Store

The main Tomato store is the highlight of Niporri Fabric Town. It’s a multi-floor building filled with a vast selection of fabrics. Walking through the aisles, I was amazed by the variety: bold prints, delicate lace, denim, wool, and even some unusual synthetic blends.

Tomto seems to carry a much larger selection of US cotton and fabrics in general compared to Nomura Tailor, but Nomura Tailor seems to have more patterns, notions and trims, Also, I don't recall seeing Liberty Art fabrics in Tomato, although I might simply have missed it because the place was PACKED when I visited.