As a long-time lover of all things stationery, especially pens and inks, a visit to Ancora Ginza had been on my bucket list for a while now. So let me tell you about the coolest thing I did last fall: I designed a custom fountain pen at Ancora Ginza in Tokyo. Seriously, if you love pens, you need to know about this place.
It was a cloudy, yet beautiful afternoon when I stepped out of the Ginza subway station. The elegant streets with their equally elegant shops and cafes led me straight to the storefront of Ancora. Ginza itself is just beautiful, and Ancora fits right in. Inside? Sailor inks everywhere! I’m a huge fan, so I spent a good while just playing with all the colours. I picked up a few new bottles, of course. This wasn’t just a store—it was a sanctuary for pen enthusiasts.
Then came the best part: designing my pen! The customisation station is right near the entrance, and it’s so user-friendly. They’ve got clear instructions in both English and Japanese, so even if you’re a newbie like me, you’ll feel right at home.
@happyhandsproj 📍Ancora Ginza, Tokyo I designed a custom Sailor fountain pen at Ancora Ginza. It was a lovely shop filled with inks and specialty fountain pens just a few minutes’ walk from Ginza station in Tokyo. It’s a great experience and my teen daughter actually wanted to make one for herself the next time we come back (I can’t believe she said it). Watch till the end to see how my pen turned out! Will post the writing demo next🖋️ #ancoraginza #sailorfountainpen #fountainpen #custompen #customfountainpen #fountainpens #ginzatokyo
The hardest part? Choosing colours! I was so indecisive. Should I go classic? Bold? Colourful? After what felt like an eternity (but was probably only 20 minutes), I finally settled on a colour scheme that resonated with me. I gathered my chosen pen parts and handed them over to the staff at the back of the store for assembly.
While I waited, I looked around at all the other pens. They have some beautiful limited edition ones which I’m already saving up for my next visit. There were also some paper products and kawaii stamps. I was very happy with how my custom designed fountain pen turned out. As I received my finished pen, the staff directed me to place it against their ink shelves. The resulting photo, with the pen sitting against a rainbow of ink bottles, was perfect.
The whole experience customising a fountain pen at Ancora Ginza was super fun. The staff were so patient and helpful, guiding me every step of the way. Leaving with my custom pen felt like a real accomplishment, a memory I’ll cherish. After my pen adventure, my family and I explored Shinjuku, making it a perfect Tokyo day.
If you’re a fountain pen fan heading to Tokyo, Ancora Ginza is an absolute must-visit. Trust me, you’ll want to create your own unique pen there. It’s an experience you won’t regret! There’s another shop I went to in Tokyo, a must-visit for calligraphers and enthusiasts. Read about my visit to Paper Tree here.
You can find Ancora Ginza at 6 Chome-4-8 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan. It’s easily accessible from the Ginza subway station.
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