LOOKING GOOD
In store - Tokyo' coolest shops

Compiled by Mayumi Saito

Cous Cous Mayumi Saito

Cous Cous
When you enter interior goods shop Cous Cous, you get the feeling you've walked into a scene from "1001 Arabian Nights." Manager Kazuko Uematsu has traveled from south to the middle east to north Africa in search of knickknacks to add an ethnic flair to any home. Moroccan Star (JY12,000) and goat-hide lamps decorated with henna art (JY9800), Indian saris (used as a screen in the store), Turkish kilim rug (61 x 126cm, JY58,000), Afghan carpets (65 x 127cm, JY25,000) and Thai textiles are all on offer. Make your bedroom exotic with some silk organdy (JY2500/JY4800/JY5000 per meter). The more casual sister store, Koukra, is located a few blocks away.
Cous Cous: 2-15-2 Honcho, Kichijoji, Musashino-shi; 0422-20-9211
Koukra: 2-8-1 Honcho, Kichijoji, Musashino-shi; 0422-23-1852

Hachiko Shop
Next time your date is late meeting you at the most famous statue in Tokyo, stop by this store. Hachiko Shop offers stuffed animals, mascots and other bric-a-brac with pooch motifs inspired by the legendary Akita dog. When his master passed away in 1925, the city's most devoted dog, Hachiko, still turned up at Shibuya station daily for ten years to walk his companion home. The aged dog amidst the Shibuya traffic became famous nationwide when The Asahi Shimbun reported the story in 1932. When Hachiko's statue was built next to Shibuya station, he participated at the unveiling ceremony himself. The dog died in 1935 at the age of 12, and his stuffed corpse has been kept in Ueno Science Museum. Some argue that Hachiko's loyalty was attributed to the Shibuya stationmaster and the nearby Yakitori-restaurant owner, as both fed him. Hot items are a wall clock (JY3200) and an alarm clock (JY3400) with a picture of Rokubei, the 23rd generation of Hachiko's offspring, who still lives in Yokohama.
1F South Bldg., Toyoko Shop, Tokyu Department Store, 2-24-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; 3477-3111

Crayon House
If you're looking for quality picture books, toys and organic goods visit this eclectic emporium. Crayon House stocks 50,000 children's books by author and subject - three to four thousand are in English. "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis, "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling are, of course, included. Picture-story shows, CDs and videos for kiddies are also on offer. Tables allow you to sit and flip through any potential purchase at your leisure. "Cooyon Market" on the second floor houses heartwarming wooden and fabric toys and greeting cards. "Ms. Crayon House" on the third floor has literature on women, herbal remedies and natural cosmetics. The vegetable market in the basement not only sells vegetables, but also a wide variety of seasonal organic food. Enjoy the healthy dishes at restaurant Home next door - all ingredients are from the vegetable market. What's more, organic cakes, made daily, are for sale at the front of the restaurant.
3-8-15 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku; 3406-6492 www.crayonhouse.co.jp