Shosaikan: a Virtual tour
Shosaikan is potentially one of the most beautiful fountain pen stores in the world. More than a shop, it gives off the aura of a museum: a love letter to the art of handwriting itself. Shosaikan is tucked into a quiet corner near the busier shopping areas of Omotesando and Harajuku. For first timers, it could be a bit difficult to find, but Google Maps is fairly accurate and easy to use. Visitors will know that they have found it when they see a small garden-like entrance with a soothing pond to greet them, as well as a funky image of a baby.
The stone steps lead into the entrance of the store with a hallway decorated with a display wall of some of Shosaikan’s most rare and beautiful pens. Limited edition OMAS, Pelikan, Pilots, etc. adorn the wall, many of which could very well be the only ones on display in the world.
Beyond this initial wall, visitors then walk into the main foyer, which is another wide display of more common production (or formerly production) pens, mostly of western brands such as Aurora, Delta, Visconti, Pelikan, and the sort. Occasionally, the display is switched up when the store does brand focused events, such as the one done for the Pilot and Platinum 100 Year Anniversaries or their Capless (Vanishing Point family) Fair.
To the right of the foyer is the main space with the bulk of their commercial inventory. For fountain pen lovers, the main attractions are on the walls. The biggest display wall is dedicated to more commercially popular pens, such as the Pilot Capless and Custom collection, the Platinum 3776 series, and the Sailor Profit and Pro Gear lines, as well as an assortment of western pens.
Immediately in front of the wall display is a glass topped table filled with high end Pilot Urushi pens, including the Emperor and other various Maki-e pens. The Sailor Specialty Nibs and other high end Sailors sit on a separate display table, where you can see and try all the modern production models. Nakaya is not represented at Shosaikan as of the time of writing.
Other high end western brands adorn the far side wall of the shop, featuring the likes of maki-e Pelikans, Waterman Sérénités, and some of Visconti’s more eclectic designs such as the Alchemy and the Forbidden City.
At the back of the store, there is an ink and accessories wall, where they sell inks from the main lines of the major manufacturers, as well as some western ink makers. Notably, there are several store exclusive inks produced by Sailor and TAG Stationery for Shosaikan for collectors to pick up.
Shosaikan allows customers to test most of their pens on display, barring some extremely high end pens. Simply ask a member of staff to try out a pen and customers will be ushered to the marble writing desk and invited to try the pen on two different types of papers. The ritual of writing is taken seriously at Shosaikan and helps customers fully immerse themselves in moment of writing, taking full advantage of the atmosphere of the traditional study room.
In addition to selling stationery, Shosaikan also hosts “Pen Clinics” and other kinds of workshops, such as the Pilot Writing Test, where you can write on a machine developed by Pilot, which will then analyse your writing angle and pressure to recommend a pen for you.
Potentially one of the most beautiful stores in Japan, if not the world, Shosaikan is an experience for anybody who loves the romance of writing. The closest subway station to Shosaikan is Omotesando and is serviced by the Ginza, Hanzomon, and Chiyoda lines.