Meisen and Old Textiles Usagiya

Meisen Silk and Old Textiles Usagiya is a shop where you can find old textiles and meisen silk, which was woven mainly in the first half of the 20th century. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy kimono casually, those who like antique textiles and old objects, and those who are interested in things handmade. The store is in a renovated old building, facing the approach that leads to Banna-ji Temple from Ashikaga School, itself a Japan heritage historical site. The shop is visually perfect for this historical streetscape.

The shop owner personally buys all the kimonos that are on sale; there is always a lineup of more than 100 types. In addition to stocking Ashikaga meisen, the shop also has meisen produced in Chichibu and Isesaki. Customers can search for kimono in different designs and colors. Also on sale are pre-war antique kimonos and yukata (light cotton "kimonos"), with kimonos starting at 3,000yen and yukatas starting at 2,500 yen - both reasonable prices. The shop also sells pieces of cloth in 10 cm increments that have been taken from old kimonos and haori jackets that have been pulled apart. Priced at 80yen/10cm makes them easily affordable, offering a fun time for people who make things like accessories.

On the second floor, you'll find a studio and a tea room. In the tea room, you can enjoy seasonal Japanese sweets and a matcha set in a tasteful room on the weekend. On offer on the first Saturday of each month are a limited number of Japanese sweets imitating meisen silk kimono patterns. If the timing works for you, this is definitely something worth trying out (limited to 20 pieces; reservations possible). At the studio, kimonos and obi belts can be order-made into Western-style clothes. Meisen and Old Textiles Usagiya has a sister annex store, Orchid and Moon, which specializes in incense. It stocks a range of elegant incense made with special attention to using natural ingredients, to incense that can be used fuss free. Everything in the store has been manufactured in the prefecture, so if you are looking for Japanese accessories, please drop by.