It is hard to describe or categorise Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands), other than to say it offers a delightful and sometimes quirky variety of fascinating products for the home. The store is part hardware store, part hobby store, part kitchen store, part gift and stationery store, part pet store—and so much more. Hands is known as a “One-Stop Creative Store,” which perfectly sums up its unique concept, selling both practical and often “Only in Japan” items that you never knew you needed.
The first Tokyu Hands store opened in Tokyo’s Shibuya in 1976 as a “do-it-yourself” shop. Now knows as just “Hands” following the sale of the brand by Tokyu in 2022, Hands stores are found in major shopping districts across Japan. The brand has also expanded overseas, with eight stores currently operating in Taiwan and three in Singapore.
Hands stores are usually multi-level, with three or four departments per floor. Be prepared to spend plenty of time exploring the extensive and eye-opening range of products. The novelty and gadget sections are hugely popular, with kitchen gadgets that can be truly mind-blowing—from some of the sharpest knives to banana covers and even motorised seafood scalers.
For those interested in hardware, the tool section is particularly intriguing, offering tools for almost any purpose. You can also find an incredible selection of materials, including timber in all types and sizes, a vast range of metals in different shapes and grades, and an unparalleled assortment of door knobs, hinges, and fittings.
Hands is also the perfect place to buy souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home. The giftware selection is sensational, with everything from crockery and kitchen gadgets to stuffed toys, furnishings, stationery, books, beauty products, and travel accessories. There’s also an impressive range of craft supplies and educational toys, many of which are exclusive to Japan.
For those into dressmaking or furniture-making, Hands is a paradise, offering a massive selection of fabrics, textiles, and thousands of buttons in every shape and colour imaginable.
Many Hands stores also have large pet departments, where you can find almost any type of accessory or treat for your pets. Some locations even sell pets themselves, ranging from cute kittens, puppies, and rabbits to exotic fish, lizards, turtles, and even small prawns.
Hands is a must-visit for any traveller looking for unique shopping experiences in Japan. Visitors often find themselves struggling to fit everything into their suitcases after a trip to Hands and Japan’s 100-yen shops, as both are filled with astonishing, often wacky items you simply won’t find anywhere else.
Additionally, the exterior of some Hands stores is occasionally used for special projects and seasonal events, such as Christmas light displays and themed installations, making them even more of a spectacle to visit.
Don’t miss Hands on your next trip to Japan—it’s not just shopping, it’s an experience!
Official website:
https://info.hands.net/en/
