About a 10-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station, where wholesale dealers involved in manufacturing are concentrated, you'll find yourself away from the bustling main street and discover the shopping street known as "Okazu Yokocho" (Side Dish Alley). It is said that the name comes from the fact that in the Showa era, many small factories were gathered in this area, and there were many delicatessens that supported the diets of the workers.

Even as times change, this area retains the charm of old Tokyo, and in a corner of it, there is a rare specialty shop for covered buttons, one of the few in the country.

A story of covered buttons unfolds in a downtown shopping district.

The origins of the fabric-covered button workshop "MiSuZuYa" date back about 40 years. At that time, in this area where wholesalers of fashion materials and tools were concentrated, they were engaged in the business of wholesaling fabric-covered buttons to the apparel industry.

Later, as the environment surrounding the fashion industry changed, the second-generation representative director, Kiyotaka Kataoka, opened a specialty store for covered buttons in 2018, driven by the desire to "let more people know about the charm of covered buttons."

"Before opening our store, we participated in 'Monomachi,' an event in southern Taito Ward featuring manufacturing-related companies. It's an event aimed at promoting the joy of manufacturing, and the more we participated, the more opportunities we had to interact with visitors, where we learned how to convey the appeal of covered buttons. After that, various connections led to us opening a shop here in 'Okazu Yokocho'," says Kataoka.

Find your favorite from a wide variety of sizes and fabrics.

Covered buttons are buttons made by wrapping a metal base with fabric and securing it. Unlike ordinary buttons, they are characterized by their excellent decorative qualities, as they allow the pattern and texture of the fabric to be utilized. They are sometimes used in high-end women's and men's clothing such as blouses and coats, and their greatest appeal is that they can express a wide variety of designs depending on the type of fabric used.

The store currently carries approximately 2,000 types of covered buttons, and some items are changed seasonally, so you can discover new designs every time you visit.

"Many customers use covered buttons as accessory components, and some are particular about the texture of the fabric when making their purchases. During the warmer months, covered buttons made from smooth-textured fabrics or Indian embroidered fabrics are particularly popular."

The store also accepts orders for fabric-covered buttons using fabrics brought in by customers. Since you can order from just one button, there are many ways to enjoy them, such as remaking cherished clothes or using your favorite fabrics to create accessories and small items.

A hands-on experience to discover the joy of making things.

The shop offers two types of workshops where you can make either a hair tie or brooch, or earrings or piercings. No reservation is required to participate in either workshop.

Choosing your favorite fabric and then using a machine to apply pressure and wrap it around the metal fitting is a moment where you can truly experience the joy of crafting. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete, so even beginners and children can easily try it. Holding your finished, original covered button in your hands will surely create a deeper sense of attachment.

Adding color to everyday life with covered buttons

Kataoka says that through hands-on workshops and other activities, she hopes to further enhance her ability to communicate the appeal of covered buttons to even more people in the future.

"Our covered buttons are imbued with the warmth that only handmade items can offer. They can be used not only as parts for clothing but also for everyday goods, and we want to convey their value along with the wide variety of designs available. We would be very happy if customers from overseas purchase them as souvenirs and share their charm with their own countries."

Covered buttons offer a wide range of uses depending on your ideas. From a downtown shopping street, they continue to bring a touch of color to many people every day.

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くるみボタン工房 MiSuZuYa 
電話：03-3864-1293 
住所：東京都台東区鳥越1丁目6−6 
アクセス：都営大江戸線、つくばエクスプレス 新御徒町駅から徒歩8分／JR浅草橋駅から徒歩10分 
HP：https://kurumibutton.tokyo/ 
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/misuzuya.kb/ 
　　　https://www.facebook.com/kurumimisuzuya/ 

*For details on opening hours and closing days, please check the link above.