GONNOSUKE

Curiosities and Collectibles from Japan’s Past

If you are looking for a museum-like experience and a place to buy unique gifts, you’ve found it at Gonnosuke on the north side of Koenji. Upon entering the store, you are enveloped by the past with nostalgic Japanese music and a warm smile and formal greeting from Endo-san, the shop’s hospitable owner. Specializing in Meiji, Taisho and Showa-era furniture, antiques and collectibles, there are some great oddities and curiosities to explore. You may find things here you won’t find in other Tokyo antique shops, like a display explaining different issues with your teeth from a Japanese dental office. Here the “mottainai” concept, or waste not want not, is in full effect, making this a uniquely Koenji experience.

There are very affordable smalls like colorful marbles, one of a kind sake cups, or tourist items garnered by Japanese tourists visiting onsen hot springs in the past. Week by week inventory changes so you never know what experience you’ll have. It’s completely fine to simply browse but with such great prices and finds, surely you will find something you feel you can’t do without. Endo-san is one of the most generous people you will meet and visiting Gonnosuke you will experience old style authentic Japanese hospitality.

ACCESS

[published October 2018]