Bunko Leather Workshop Tour
Step inside our leather workshop in the heart of old Tokyo and see how Bunko Leather is made — from the first imprint to its hand-painted surface.
This is not a hands-on experience, but a guided observation of the actual production process: beginning with embossing, followed by our signature hand-painting, all done by artisans using traditional Japanese methods.
Bunko Leather is now the only workshop in Japan that continues to produce leather goods using this historic technique.
You’ll get a close-up look at how each item takes shape — slow, detailed, and by hand.
This is a free tour of our workshop.
To see available dates and times, please click “BOOK NOW” and follow the steps.
We look forward to welcoming you.
※ Guest count includes the person booking. For 2 people total, please select “1 guest.”
※Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance.
📅 Tour Details
・Days: Every Monday & Tuesday (except on Japanese national holidays)
・Time Slots: 15:00
・Duration: Approx. 15–20 minutes
・Language: English only
・Group Size: Max 5 people per time slot(may be shared with other guests)
🧭 Tour Flow
・Brief introduction at the workshop
・Embossing – patterns are pressed into the leather using a metal mold
・Hand-painting – watch the artisan apply each brushstroke by hand, with care and precision
・(Verbal explanation) of additional steps:
- Sabi-ire – our antique finishing technique
- Sewing – final construction is done off-site
🎁Each guest will also receive a small handmade gift as a thank-you.
📍 Meeting Point
1 Chome-15-9 Mukojima, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0033
Please wait in the covered entrance area on the 1st floor. Our staff will greet you there and guide you inside.
(This is our workshop — not a store.)
🚉Access
From Toei Asakusa Line (都営浅草線) – A19 Honjo-azumabashi Station (本所吾妻橋駅)
Exit A4 (stairs) or Exit A5 (elevator) 5 min walk (400 m)
⚠️ Important Notes
・Please arrive on time. The tour will begin promptly at your reserved time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your reservation may be canceled.
・We may take photos during the tour for our website or social media. By joining, you agree to this.
・Please refrain from filming or using photos/videos for commercial purposes. Be mindful of other guests when taking photos.
・Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed inside the workshop.
・The workshop is small, but an elevator is available.
・As we use thinner-based materials, we kindly ask guests with allergies, small children, or those who are pregnant to take caution.
・After the tour, if you’d like to visit one of our stores, please bring your passport to enjoy tax-free shopping.
Customer Reviews
I loved Bunkoya Oozeki’s products ever since I heard about the brand a few years ago. According to the helpful saleslady at the store, all products are hand-made and hand-painted, which made me appreciate the beauty of the product even more, knowing that it was made by human hands. I always wanted to see how they made such intricate designs, and I got my wish with this workshop tour.
Getting to see the work that goes on behind the scenes to create these products and designs was amazing! It was lovely to see artists passionately working on the designs. Their artistry blew me away! Aside from that, the tour was very informative. Ms. Uchiyama was helpful and answered all our questions. I learned a lot about the process, making me have an even greater appreciation for the products.
In a world where many things are mass produced and can only last a year, Bunkoya Oozeki and its products are a breath of fresh air. If you want to see the work of artisans and the human passion that goes into every product, you must come to the workshop tour. Their products are top-quality and made with tons of care.
見学させていただき、ありがとうございます。内山さんには、とても丁寧かつ親切にご案内いただき、文庫の歴史的背景や製作工程について詳しくご説明くださいました。さらに、革の裁断や絵付けの工房も見学させていただき、大変多くのことを学ぶことができました。ぜひまた機会があれば見学させていただきたいと思います。
Process was explained well in English. It was an eye opener. Had a great time to see how the artisans had to cut the mold, to hand painting each design. It was an enjoyable experience.
This workshop was really enjoyable and all of staffs are skilled
Workshop located in Sumida and our guide Ms Ayano met me despite being late for appointment. Was taken to see the different processes of making these beautiful handmade leather items, each artisan working diligently in their respective trade, impressed with the quality of work especially the design and coloring while my questions was answered intelligently and straightforward by Ms Ayano after conferring with the artists. Afterwards we visited their Solamachi shop (10 minutes walk from the workshop), where the final product displayed prominently, depicting age old Japanese design, with each distinctive color details.
