14 Amazing Japanese Shops in London

If you’ve been looking for the best Japanese shops in London, you’re going to be so very happy you’ve landed on The London Local today. I’ve been interested in Japanese food, clothing, and stationery for years now. Some symbols in Japanese culture have got me hooked, like cherry blossom and its renewal meaning (there’s a reason why I’ve got a half sleeve tattooed with cherry blossom, isn’t it!). Not too long ago, I wrote about the most beautiful Japanese gardens in London where you can go to contemplate the cherry blossom trees. If you happen to go (most of the ones I’ve listed are free, if not all), I’d definitely recommend passing by some of those Japanese shops in London afterward.

14 Amazing Japanese Shops in London

For this guide to the best Japanese shops in London, I’ve chosen to just make a list that wouldn’t be ordered according to Japanese clothing, Japanese food shops, or stationery. As you read down the list, you’ll just find more and more cool Japanese products in London. 

We’re going to keep a little bit of a surprise effect, and you can be sure that we’re talking about authentic products with a great overview of anything Japanese in London. From Japantown near Piccadilly Circus to Finchley, we’re going to be visiting all of the city on the quest to find the best Japanese products in London.

Japanese Shops in London: Momosan Shop

I’ve chosen to start this list of the best Japanese shops in London with Momosan Shop because I feel it’s one of the most underrated shops with all things Japanese in London. Founder Momoko Mizutani opened Momosan Shop as a way to showcase independent Japanese craftsmanship. As such, if you’re looking for Japanese homeware in London, that’s definitely a store you’re going to want to visit ASAP.

What’s more, it’s located not too far from Hackney, one of the most artistic places in London. Hackney is one of the areas in London where some of the best independant artisan brands were born, and it really echoes all the artistry that you would be looking for in a Japanese homeware shop, to be honest. 

Much like the severe yet stunning beauty and style of Japanese clothes and stationery, you’ll find at Momosan Shop amazing Japanese ceramics, wooden kitchenware, and simple yet breathtaking Japanese clothes.

Japanese Shops in London: Rice Wine Shop

Now the main upside about Rice Wine Shop is that it’s one of the Japanese shops in London located in the hyper center, in Soho. It’s really one of the best hidden gems in London (like some of the Japanese gardens) and it seems like only locals and knowledgeable people are aware of its existence. It’s surely one Japanese food store that has some of the most authentic Japanese products in London, including tofu, miso, snacks, dashi, and Japanese spices.

Don’t be surprised when you see that the Rice Wine Shop is much smaller than other Japanese shops in London – it is on the other hand very well-stocked. The only things they might be missing are fresh foods, as it’s more of a pantry foods kind of shop. However, they do have all the essentials and basics in this Japanese food store, so that’s still a one-shop shop. Plus, the prices are much lower at Rice Wine Shop than they can be in other Japanese shops in the center of London, even if it’s located in Soho. 

Japanese Stationery Shop London: Artbox

Artbox in Covent Garden is definitely the master of Japanese stationery in London. I mentioned this Japanese shop some time ago when I told you about the best stationery shops in London. My mind has not changed an ounce: I still think that the quality and service of the Artbox staff and stationery range is outstanding. 

Since it’s located right in the heart of Covent Garden, I’d definitely recommend walking around the area, passing by TK Maxx on Long Acre for some really amazing and cheap candles, and Artbox for the best Japanese stationery in London.

The Japanese design and kawaii product range are extensive, cute, and beautiful. It’s almost too beautiful to actually use if I need to be honest. The fact that Artbox is filled with some of the cutest brands and Japanese characters just makes it that much more enticing. 

Prices can be a little bit expensive, however, you’ve got authentic Japanese products at Artbox, and anything from stationery to plush toys, mugs, and much more. Japanese stationery in London can never get any better, so if you’re a Hello Kitty, BTS, or Sanrio fan, you’ll most likely be blown away. 

Japanese Sweet Shop London: Little Moons

Little Moons in Selfridges Food Hall is one of the most central Japanese food shops in London. Whoever loves Japanese treats and sweets should definitely visit this amazing mochi store. Rather than a store, it’s a stand that offers some amazing mochi flavors, unlike anything you’ll taste from any other Japanese food store in London. 

It’s kind of tricky to find authentic mochi in London, especially with so many Japanese restaurants offering those treats on delivery. But with Little Moons, we’re talking about outstanding mochi ice cream. Two parts make up the Little Moons mochi; a steamed dough and gelato ice cream. 

Whether you’re vegan or not, you’ll find some really great flavors to match your likes and wants. Italian hazelnut, mango, matcha tea, cheesecake, salted caramel… As I said – the Little Moons are birthed by a mochi store unlike any other Japanese shop in London.

Japanese Shops in London: The Journal Shop

The Journal Shop is a very underrated Japanese stationery shop in London. It’s really different from Artbox in Covent Garden, with very sober designs and high-quality Japanese stationery. On the other hand, Artbox does focus on importing some of the cutest Japanese stationery, so that’s the main difference between the two. 

The Journal Shop is located in one of my favorite areas in London, Boxpark, between Bethnal Green and Shoreditch. Having lived for the longest time in Bethnal Green, I was passing by Boxpark quite often, and Shoreditch became my second home. That’s actually how I was able to tell you so much about the best coffee shops in Shoreditch to work, study, or just chill a while back. Because staying at cafes in East London is one of the best things to do near Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green – that type of area.

And now, if you just want to grab some of the best Japanese stationery in London, you know where to do it – at The Journal Shop. Envelopes, notebooks, stamps, stickers, bullet journals: there’s much more than you could even imagine was possible at such a small Japanese stationery shop in London. Lots of brands, amazing notebooks, amazing diaries as well – just pay them a visit and you’ll understand what I mean. 

Best Japanese Shops in London: Japan Centre Panton Street

The Japan Centre in London has got to be one of the most famous Japanese shops in the city. Located on Panton Street, it’s a Japanese shop that definitely has one of the biggest ranges of food and drinks. If you love Japanese sweet treats, baked goods, and desserts, you’re going to want to pay the Japan Centre a visit. 

I’d say that if you’re looking to stock up on Japanese products in London, the fact that the Japan Centre is so centrally located is going to be a definite upside. The racks are filled with some of the most basic, up to the craziest Japanese products. Looking for a mochi store? Or the best sashimi in London, maybe? In any case, you’ll find what you’re looking for, and more.

What I can recommend, with Japan Centre being so central, is taking a walk around Covent Garden and its instagrammable cafes. Trafalgar Square and Soho are not too far, so you could definitely visit the National Gallery and take some pics of Soho for your IG feed. Then, you could photograph some of the fun statues in Leicester Square, visit Chinatown and the awesome Chinatown Bakery. To finish a great afternoon sightseeing in London, you could visit the Japan Centre, and get some staples to cook Japan-style at home for dinner. 

Japanese Food Shop London: Atariya Foods

One of the most famous Japanese food shops in London is Atariya, and with five stores all around town, there are a lot of Japanese products you can get there. There’s one in Finchley, Golders Green, West Acton, Kingston, and Swiss Cottage. But that’s not all. If you’re just looking for a complete Japanese food store in London, you’ll definitely find all the products you need there, from fresh fish to all the Japanese classics – snacks, drinks, noodles, wagyu beef, and much more.

I’ve written about the best halal sushi restaurants in London a while back, but if you don’t only eat halal food, you’ll be happy to know that Atariya is also a chain of Japanese restaurants in London. You’ll find some of the freshest Japanese food in their restaurants, notably the one in Hendon.

For instance, if you’re looking for the best Japanese cafes in London, I’d definitely recommend Café Japan on Finchley Road, where you can find some of the best Japanese pastries and have a really laidback moment there, solo or on a date. It’s so close to the Atariya Foods shop on High Road in Finchley that you can visit both in one go too. 

Japanese Clothing London: Tabio

Japanese clothing in London is something of a rarity if you leave out famous brands like Muji and Uniqlo. Tabio is one very unique Japanese clothing store in London that focuses on socks and tights. Tabi is a traditional Japanese split sock, and Tabio has a range for everyone from kids to men and women. As everything Japanese clothing-related, the prices at Tabio are not the cheapest, but you can definitely count on the quality there. 

Plus, the fact that it’s located on Neal Street in Seven Dials makes Tabio a very central shop. That will allow you to visit some really cute coffee shops in Covent Garden, take a look at some colorful streets like Neal’s Yard, and just have a very chill moment in Central London. Colorful, high quality and a great range of designs and patterns make Tabio one of the best Japanese shops in London. Plus, it’s a stone’s throw away from other Japanese food shops like Japan Centre, Japanese stationery shop Artbox, and Rice Wine Shop. All perfectly located to be visited in one go.

Japanese Cosmetics in London: P2Bus

If you’re looking for anything Japanese in London (because you’re crazy about Japanese products and a big fan of the culture), chances are you’ve already looked up Japanese cosmetics in London. Japanese makeup and skincare are somewhat of a darker spot in foreign countries, and I’ve always found it’s kind of difficult to find. More difficult than Japanese food, and that’s a fact. That’s where P2Bus comes into play, with a great range of Japanese cosmetics – skincare, makeup brands, hair and body products, and accessories are all available in this very tidy shop.

The fact is, if you’ve been looking endlessly for Japanese cosmetics in London, you’ll love P2Bus in Newport Court. But I’d still like to highlight the fact that, as with all the best Japanese products – stationery, homeware, and clothes, the prices are quite high. It’s imported, it’s the price of the rent, so all the Japanese cosmetics available at P2Bus are higher than you would expect. It might be one of the only Japanese shops in London to offer Japanese makeup and skincare brands, so it’s still better than nothing, isn’t it?

However, it’s also a shop where you can get Korean cosmetics in London. As an ex-makeup artist, I’m used to makeup and cosmetics prices being really high, so I’m not surprised. So, if you want to treat yourself or a loved one, this Japanese shop in London can be a really good place to start with, especially when you realize just how many makeup brands P2Bus carries.

Japanese Shops in London: Japan House London

If you’re ever around Chelsea or Kensington, then you should definitely pass by Japan House on Kensington High Street. I already mentioned quite a few times here on The London Local how attached I am to that whole area, and did tell you about the cutest cafes in South Kensington not too long ago. 

Now, Japan House is a very interesting Japanese shop in London. Why? Because it’s not just a shop. It’s a whole concept store that includes an art gallery, a print room, and a shop. There are often exhibitions of Japanese art in London at Japan House, so if you’re a Japanese art lover, do keep yourself updated with the events calender of this cultural center. There’s even a restaurant there, and trust me when I tell you that the Japanese homeware shop is worth a visit. 

If you’re ever looking for a Japanese bookstore, then the book selection at Japan House might be of great interest to you. You can also find some great Japanese snacks, stationery, and bits and bobs to place around the house – perfect if you’re a home decor addict beyond being a Japan lover.

Japanese Grocery Store London: Natural Natural

It’s true that when I’m looking for Japanese shops near me, the first thing I have in mind is Japanese food. I’m lucky enough to live near Finchley Road, where there are quite a few Japanese shops like Atariya and Natural Natural. The latter is located on Goldhurst Terrace, a stone’s throw away from Finchley Road Tube station, and it’s open every day of the week. It’s one of the best places for Japanese groceries in London, from food to drink, and pantry goods as well.

One thing I love more than anything is finding one-stop Japanese shops in London. I don’t really like traveling to a shop just to buy one or two things, especially in a city like London where transportation is so expensive. The fact that you can also get some homeware and Japanese stationery at Natural Natural makes it that much more convenient to travel up North if you don’t live near Finchley. One really cool Japanese food shop that also sells the best snacks and some amazing origami paper and cute pouches, for all the Japanese stationery lovers.

Japanese Clothing Store London: Uniqlo

Out of all the Japanese shops in London I’m mentioning in this guide today, I feel like Uniqlo is the most famous. Who hasn’t shopped at this Japanese clothes store at least once in their lives? As a French person and having lived in Paris for years before moving to London, and eventually sharing my life between London and Rome (and unconditionally falling in love with Italian cafes!), I’ve visited Uniqlo more times than I can count. I don’t think Japanese clothing in London can get any simpler than the universal styles and designs you can find at Uniqlo. 

The shapes proposed by this Japanese clothes store are almost unisex, with beautiful, sober colors and great fabric quality. Since 1984, Uniqlo has been catering to women, men, and kids with some really conscious fabrics and designs. I used to have some really beautiful casual homewear from Uniqlo that I kept for years without it ever going either out of shape or out of style. 

Plus, if you’re looking to get into sustainable fashion brands, Uniqlo is going to become your BFF. Let’s also highlight the many cute collaborations Uniqlo has got going on pretty often with anime characters – if you’re looking for anime shops in London but really don’t know where to start, there’s always going to be an intense and interesting clothing collaboration going on at Uniqlo. Since there are lots of Japanese shops in London, but not so many echoing perfectly the Japanese style and culture, that’s always a great place to start.

Best Japanese Shops in London: Japan Craft

Japan Craft on Chalk Farm Road is one very interesting Japanese shop in London, unlike any of those I’ve mentioned before. If you’re around Camden – and you’re probably going to be at some point, then the two Japan Craft shops there will spark your imagination and creativity. Especially if you’re looking for anime shops in London. 

I’m talking about puzzles, arts and crafts, traditional Japanese art, and much, much more. I’m talking about one of the very best anime shops in London, period. It’s always a good idea to visit Camden Town if you’re looking for a different way of sightseeing in London since there’s such a mix of cultures there. 

But if you’re not too sure where to start nor what you’re looking for, then Japan Craft is a perfect destination for any kinds of gifts you’d like to treat yourself to. Kimono, yukata, woodblock prints, incense, famous Manekineko, snacks, homeware, Japanese stationery… There’s just everything you need at Japan Craft. 

Japanese Shops in London: Wagumi

Now if you’re passionate about Japanese homeware goods, Wagumi in the Oxo Tower could very well become your BFF. We’ve already seen just how crazy I am about the whole London Bridge area – I’ve told you about all the best cafes in London Bridge for breakfast and brunch a while back, and even detailed the best things to do in London Bridge if you’re ever lacking inspiration. 

At the Oxo Tower on Southbank, there are quite a few really cool shops, different from anything else in London. They’re pretty much all concept stores with really cool gift ideas, and Wagumi is not missing on that vibe.

That’s one of the best Japanese shops in London if you’d like to find authentic ceramics, bowls, homeware, and of course, Japanese stationery. With Wagumi, you’re really leaving the whole Japanese food shop feel behind, and focusing on the core of Japanese culture in the heart of London. And that’s really appreciated. Anytime I pass by Southbank and have my usual solo-thinking walk around Millenium Bridge, I never leave out a visit to Wagumi. Overall, this Japanese stationery and homeware shop teleports you to the essence of Japanese culture and has a soothing effect I love.

14 Amazing Japanese Shops in London

Here we have them, the 14 best Japanese shops in London. Whether you’re looking for Japanese stationery shops in London, or Japanese food shops to make your own sushi or just nibble on some snacks, I’ve got you covered here on The London Local. 

There are some other Japanese shops in London, but I’ve tried to really narrow it down to the best, from Japan Craft to the Japan Centre and Artbox for Japanese stationery in London. The goal, obviously, is always to try and give you the most precise insight into shops and culture when you come here to The London Local, isn’t it? 

Now what? If you’d like to discover more amazing things to do in London, here’s what I recommend:

• The best halal Japanese restaurants in London
• The cutest Japanese cherry blossom gardens in London
• And the best cat cafes in London

Until next time!

PS. Did you know you can see dinosaurs in London?