Yanaka retains a strong sense of old-town charm, and people come and go enjoying a leisurely stroll. Just a short distance from the bustling Yanaka Ginza, on a quiet street, you'll find "Tabi Suru Mishin-ten," a specialty shop for book covers.

Its natural appearance blends seamlessly into the cityscape. The noren (curtain) hanging from the eaves sways in the breeze, as if gently announcing its presence.

The shop opened in 2012. It was originally the location of a sushi restaurant that had been loved by locals for about 50 years. The space, which carries on the history of the past, is now filled with a variety of handmade items, mainly book covers.

Seeking a job that can be pursued for a lifetime. The creator's aspirations entrusted to the company name.

Beautiful stitching runs across the items displayed in the shop. The shop owner, Nanase Ueki, comes from a family that runs a sewing machine repair business, so making things has been a familiar part of her life since childhood.

After becoming a working adult, while working at a publishing company, she began making bags and other items and selling them at craft fairs. Because she was a book lover herself, she exhibited a prototype book cover, which was well received. Encouraged by this, Ueki decided to become independent and make a living from crafting.

Yanaka, the location chosen for their shop, is a familiar neighborhood they often visit on their days off. The calm atmosphere resonated with the image of books and book covers, and while searching for a property, they came across the current location. The fact that businesses had been operating there for many years convinced them that "this is definitely the right place." They were also drawn to the peaceful environment of Yanaka, which is close to the museums in Ueno, and took this new step forward.

The shop's concept is "a travel companion." Because the owner is too busy to travel often, the name reflects their wish to at least offer products that can help travelers.

The warmth that comes from family collaboration, something you won't find in mass-produced goods.

Apparently, the production is done almost entirely at home. First, Ms. Ueki's husband cuts the fabric. Based on illustrations drawn by Ms. Ueki, they create the designs using handmade rubber stamps. Different stamps are used for each outline and color, layered like ukiyo-e prints, and then fixed with heat. Finally, Ms. Ueki and her mother finish the piece by sewing it on a sewing machine.

"It's truly a family-run business," says Mr. Ueki, and the products, crafted through the collaboration of family members, exude a unique warmth. Attention to detail is evident even in unseen areas, such as the use of traditional Aizu cotton for the lining.

The adorable illustrations, featuring various animals as motifs, and the slight variations in printing and color that come with hand-printing, give each book cover a unique character that mass-produced items lack.

Responding to customer feedback, we offer a variety of cover sizes.

The shelves in the store are lined with book covers for a variety of sizes, from paperbacks and trade paperbacks to large-format guidebooks. Initially, we only carried paperback-sized covers, but in response to customer requests, we have now expanded our selection to include a wide variety of options.

In recent years, with the increase in tourists from overseas, new book covers in Western book sizes have been added. In modern Europe and America, the custom of covering books with covers has almost disappeared, so the very existence of book covers seems to be a novelty to foreign tourists. They are attracting attention as a unique Japanese cultural item born from meticulous handiwork, and are also popular as special souvenirs.

A recommendation for a stroll through Yanaka, walking through the alleys with a book in hand.

Since the owner focuses on production during the weekdays, the shop is mainly open on Saturdays and Sundays. After visiting the shop, you can enjoy exploring the surrounding area.

In fact, in recent years, the number of used bookstores and independent small bookstores has been increasing in Yanaka, making it a town worth exploring for book lovers. "While bustling streets like Yanaka Ginza are nice, I think you can appreciate the charm of this town even more by venturing into the narrower alleys and wandering around without a specific destination in mind," says Ueki.

The Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi area, including the neighboring Nezu and Sendagi, is lined with temples and old houses, revealing a different face with every step. Wrap your book in your favorite cover you found here and embark on a little journey to explore the back alleys at your leisure. "The Traveling Sewing Machine Shop" is the perfect starting point for such a stroll through Yanaka.

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Traveling Sewing Machine Shop
Address: 7-18-7-1F Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5-minute walk from Nippori Station
HP: https://tabisurumishinten.com/ 
SNS: https://x.com/tabisurumishin 
            https://www.instagram.com/tabisurumishinten/?hl=ja 
            https://www.facebook.com/tabisurumishinten 
*For details regarding business hours and regular closing days, please check the link above.