Kingdom Note Fountain Pen Store--New Location in Tokyo!

[@InkyRocks]

Kingdom Note's website: www.kingdomnote.com/ and their KZbin channel: kzbin.info/door/iftfiQp50d-gU1EbSVKq6g

[@rohitpid]

I love these videos. They are a window into parts of Japan!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! I hope to do some more in the future!

[@lisaaebi8329]

Another wonderful video of yours I just discovered. Because of you I went to Ancora and Itoya during our trip to Japan a week ago. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I'm already planning my next stops in Tokyo based on your shop videos. Thank you for sharing all that you do.☺

[@InkyRocks]

I’m so glad! Sounds like you had fun here-not hard to hahaha! I may to an all in one best places to visit Tokyo this summer.

[@quillidyllicgold7979]

Thankyou - stuck in Melbourne unable to travel its great to life vicariously through you

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! I would love to be stuck in Melbourne! Thanks for watching!

[@tsherbs1309]

Always appreciate your windows into Tokyo life.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! Valuable feedback for me!

[@lisam5576]

Looks lovely! I remember my husband and I searching for their former location when we visited Tokyo. That elevator was so tiny. Glad to see they have a bigger, brighter location.

[@InkyRocks]

I know! When I first went to their old place, I kept thinking I was in the wrong place because I wasn't looking for cameras hahaha! Now upstairs above their new place is a luxury watch store.

[@topazhk]

Thanks for the video. You’ve just made me miss Tokyo a lot. Our annual visits have had to stop for a while since the pandemic. Ceramics, FPs and coffee shops all in one calming video. Thanks

[@InkyRocks]

I know--I love all three! Hopefully this pandemic will run it's course soon and we can all bet back to "normal". Thank you!

[@troywhite8980]

I LOVE your videos that show a glimpse of life in Tokyo. I've said before I cannot wait to visit once the pandemic dies down, so in the meantime I'm taking notes from your videos on all the things I want to see and do. Now the Kingdom Note store is on my list. If you ever decide to expand into more "Tokyo Lifestyle" videos, you'll have a fan and viewer in me!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! I actually do the "glimpse of life in Tokyo" to make the pen part more fun as I rarely enjoy my pens in "isolation"--it's a kind of context! Would love to see. you out here!

[@adventureswithanalog]

This is what I love about your videos, you always have the lowdown on trivia and essential facts! I truly despise the panini if only that (and most superficially maybe) it robbed me of time to visit Japan in 2020-2021. Kissatens are some of my favourite discoveries and they seem to be a dying breed. I was researching and many recommended lists out there have many coffee shops permanently cloe in the last 3 years. SIGH. Anyway, you also best believe I'll be paying a visit to Kingdom Note when I visit in November (till then, I'll be binging your videos!) Thanks for all the juicy info!

[@InkyRocks]

I hope you can make it out here! So many stationery and pen opportunities hahaha! Definitely the kissaten is a lost art. But young people are bringing it back and it is now more hip than Blue Bottle here in Tokyo. Thanks so much!

[@aileensmith7716]

Wow, that's three times the size of the original shop! Looks lovely and way easier to find.

[@InkyRocks]

It really is! It makes going there a lot more pleasant!

[@stargazer1359]

Thanks for mentioning loupes....Need to order a new one. 30x

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! I have a million of them (from my "rock" side of looking at gemstones and minerals) so I wasn't tempted by any of them!

[@stargazer1359]

@@InkyRocks I have a 12x....but I only have vision in one eye, and the other isn't terrific. So, I'm guessing 30x + 60x would be good...I have some minerals I would like to look at as well. Never thought to magnify them. Silly me. 🔍

[@ellaniwalker6155]

Thank you! This was wonderfully done. And the coffee places were so nice! An actual cup and saucer! Amazing. Glad you got the pen. Very nice color. Enjoy it💖

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! These "store tours" have huge potential to be really boring! I'm still enjoying it!

[@jaimecallejaalderete8226]

I remember the old location. Always took me so long to find it!! But SO worth it. Always make a point to visit Itoya and KN while in Tokyo. I use my bottle of Ruri-gimi ink VERY sparingly. Hopefully I can visit the new location soon. Thanks for all your videos and stay healthy!

[@InkyRocks]

Thanks so much! You are right, that old store was hard to find. The new one is on a main road so very easy to find and so much prettier! Take care!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I'm not much of a traveler having never been overseas but even I am now visualizing myself in that store lol. This was such a great to watch this morning!!! I had my coffee with you so to speak!!!! ✒☕

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! Thank you so much Chris! I'm always trying to balance how much "other stuff" to put in the videos. Glad we had coffee together!💕

[@dmullins311]

Thank you again for showing us, it is like a virtual tour. I always look forward to your videos, quality and content are so good!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! And thank you for your continued support!

[@dmullins311]

@@InkyRocks I love you refreshing content, beautiful semi precious stones combined with the beautiful inks and interesting information is a winner 🙂

[@evaninker8455]

Wonderful Video and thank you! I love your views of life in Japan and the culture.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! And thanks for the feedback-I’ll keep putting little bits of life over here in my vids!

[@billcrabtree8700]

I love your videos. Of course, like you I’m a fountain pen fiend, but the insight into life in Japan elevates them to another level.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback. I always wonder if I'm adding too much non-pen stuff but I'm trying to put the pens in "context".

[@davidanderson3425]

I love the pen-related content and I love seeing life in Tokyo. Many thanks for producing such interesting videos.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!

[@LynnetteLiLX]

Oh I love how this! All the pens and inks displayed so nicely. So tempting as well. Thanks for sharing this experience with us.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! I'm always struggling with how to present these kinds of videos---I don't want them to be just "shelf checks" hahaha!

[@LisaRSArt]

Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@InkyRocks]

💖

[@catwhisperer911]

If one day I could visit Kingdom Note I'd probably want to buy everything I see and touch there. I can only imagine what an incredible experience it must be to visit it and other equally incredible fountain pen/stationary outlets in Japan. I love how fountain pens are still very relevant in Japan today, much more so than they are here in the States I'm afraid, and how, as with so many other items made and sold there, the importance, energy and focus that is placed on their presentation, which is also reflected by the elegance of many of the retail outlets there. Thank you so much for sharing this. I enjoyed watching this very much.

[@InkyRocks]

I'm so glad! I always wonder how to present the inside of stores, as just a "shelf check" is pretty boring and pictures instead of video might be more ideal. Fountain pens are definitely more mainstream here, but are still relatively rare--I thought it might make a funny video to interview some of my daughter's friends and see what they think of fountain pens hahaha! Thank you so much!

[@davecharvella4854]

Loved it! What I wouldn't give to have a store like this near me ... OMG!

[@InkyRocks]

It is really nice, but hard on the wallet. I have to exert extreme self discipline when I go there!

[@Sonicman415]

Amazing, I like their KZbin channel. Thank you for this 🌈✌🏽🌈

[@InkyRocks]

Thanks so much for watching these older ones!

[@labibsaud8064]

I look forward to you putting a list of MUST VISIT stores when in Japan for various categories like Unique collection, simplicity, Large collection etc. 4:16, 4:20,:22 I take it you were playing with inks before going out to Kingdom note XD btw what grip is Amy using in 8:16 ? I've seen a rare few individuals with that grip.

[@InkyRocks]

I'm definitely working on doing videos of the various fountain pen stores, I just have to let my wallet rest in between all the visits hahaha! My hands always have ink on them--I feel naked without ink splotches... I'm not sure what the grip is besides weird--she also holds her chopsticks kind of like that.

[@berryrohseberryrohse8392]

It's sometimes called "the fist grip." It is common with Generation Z who switch frequently from keyboard to stylus.

[@InkyRocks]

@@berryrohseberryrohse8392 ahhh! It's quite a descriptive name--it really looks like a fist!

[@stampinsan]

Oh my goodness! Another reason to visit Japan. Fun video - exquisite looking store. Thanks so much, Again! That first coffee shop reminded me of one you would see in a movie set in Turkey - dark, exotic, many secrets! 😂

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! There WERE some shady looking people there but they were giant hipsters. The coffee was fabulous! Thanks!

[@takeusaway3]

I can't wait to visit Tokyo again for all the fountain pen goodies.

[@InkyRocks]

There are definitely a lot of cool fountain pen goodies!

[@takeusaway3]

@@InkyRocks I was just in Sapporo recently and got to check out an Ink Fair (インクフイアー) at the Daimaru Fuji Central stationery shop. Was able to grab a Vinta ink for the first time in a shop in Japan! So, I'm tiding myself over until it feels safe enough to travel to Tokyo!

[@InkyRocks]

@@takeusaway3 Yes, we still have the worst numbers in Japan. Hopefully it will get better soon! Vinta inks sold really well at the Itoya Ink show here. I'm glad you got a bottle--I really enjoy their inks!

[@Drawing-Life]

So beautiful, just found your channel thank you!!

[@InkyRocks]

Welcome! Thank you so much!

[@aag24]

Magnificent video. Bravo to you. What an amazing shop. So clean and airy. Sadly I’m not well enough to travel so it’s nice to enjoy it vicariously through you. Now I understand your Instagram post. For some reason I didn’t get the notification for this video. The bell is on and I don’t know what could be wrong. Ah well - another mystery! Thanks again 🙏

[@InkyRocks]

I'm so glad you like it! It really is a wonderful (and dangerous to the wallet) store! Thank you!

[@en8718]

thanks so much for the heads up !! Will definitely head over once the flights resume

[@InkyRocks]

You will love it! Message me on IG if you do come out!

[@freespirit995]

That was a wonderful video, which makes me long to go back to visit Tokyo, especially Kingdom Note which was my favourite small pen and ink store (small compared to Itoya or Maruzen!) You are so lucky to be able to go to such richly stocked shops, full of interesting and unusual notebooks, inks and writing instruments... It makes even the best European stores look dull and unadventurous. But not living in Japan may have a plus side: if I lived in Tokyo I would quickly go bankrupt... Please do more of these surveys of unusual Japanese pen shops. I never got to Bungubox or the famous Kobe Nagasawa store during my visits to Japan... There must be many, many more, and we who languishing in COVID restricted Europe need your videos to cheer us up!

[@InkyRocks]

I'm so glad this cheers you up! There are a lot of wonderful stores, which make it very hard on my wallet! It's difficult to make a store video interesting but this one was ideal as they just moved and upgraded. I will definitely make more store videos! Hope you can make it back out here and if you do, let me know. Thank you!

[@hc1653]

Thanks again for another great video. It will help me plan to go fountain pen shopping in Japan in future.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! That's awesome! When you do make it out here, consider coming during the Tokyo Pen Show time frame--you would enjoy that too!

[@hc1653]

@@InkyRocks Thank you! I will try and save money too!

[@brickadillo]

Very nice. I enjoyed the coffee shop interlude before checking out what you bought. Just like a real shopping trip!

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! Thank you!

[@miltonbonani2952]

Beautiful, beautiful store! I love these videos. Thanks for this.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoy them!

[@PensandNeedles]

I was so happy to see another video from you- the quality is superb and I always feel like I am coming along on a mini vacation. Have you done a video on pen presentation, perhaps pen rests or stands?

[@InkyRocks]

Oh! What a great idea! I think it would be a fun one, but I would have to borrow a few as I only have one. I've seen some pretty hilarious and beautiful ones on IG. Thank you for your compliment as I am always struggling on the quality of my video--never knew it was this complicated hahaha!

[@juanitocastro55]

Love this video

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you!

[@pattachan]

I went to their upstairs store last year when I was in Tokyo. This new store looks much more inviting!!!

[@InkyRocks]

I think I remember your IG photos! I always had problems finding my way there to the old store. Shinjuku station is a nightmare enough! Now all you have to do is go out the south gate (a MAJOR gate so you don't miss it) take a left and walk 5 minutes!

[@pattachan]

@@InkyRocks as a larger person, the old store was a bit cramped too. This new one looks dreamy! Can’t wait to come back!

[@InkyRocks]

If you do, message me ahead of the time if you would like to meet the rest of the gang! I do love the spaciousness of the new place!

[@tryadifferentone354]

I love your videos. Japan is the only country I still wish to visit in my life time

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! I hope you can make it out here some day!

[@tryadifferentone354]

@@InkyRocks Me too!! Would love to me you :)

[@miroslavpavlemanovski3886]

Oh my goodness: so many beautiful moments! Thank you for giving us a snapshot into all of these fabulous places and practices!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much for watching and being such a loyal supporter!

[@aadityakiran_s]

Really nice. One of the best fountain pen reviewers oh KZbin. Make a few videos on old vintage pens like that guy pelahale used to do.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! I'm not so big on vintage as I sold most of mine off. I instead have quite a few vintage nibs that I have jammed into modern pens. I change out ink so often that modern CC pens serve my purposes more.

[@aadityakiran_s]

@@InkyRocks Ah, so you have some videos on that? So you're more into inks than pens eh? Nice videos you have. I especially liked the one about the urushi maker who lives in a traditional Japanese house.

[@fudefan]

OK, that's it, I may have to head to Shinjuku today! Haven't been there in ages. Kleid's notebooks use either Life L or OK Fools paper. Looks like you got one with OK Fools. I like that paper! A real classic.

[@InkyRocks]

Ahh, thanks for weighing in on the paper. You are right, it's OK Fools. But it seriously lies so flat, it's like one piece of paper. Kingdom's used pen area is dangerous--but you may love your Mericari prices too much to be tempted (a few more of those gorgeous Nakayas with those cool roll stops...)

[@MultiEbbot]

always a pleassure to watch one your videos.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much--I appreciate you watching!

[@alejandromorales9516]

Has anyone every assembled all of the currently available Sailor made inks around the world? I can't keep up! LOL! And THANK YOU for these videos. I long for the day to return to Tokyo, one of my favorite cities!

[@InkyRocks]

Seriously! I don't know of anyone. Especially if you include all the specialty and collaboration inks. Tono and Lims is that way now too--with all their collabs, there is just so many! I hope you can make it back out here in the near future! I love it here! Thank you!

[@geckonia]

It all looks so amazing... even the Starbucks 😅 thank you for the tour.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! I didn't want to add too much coffee stuff but I go to these places a lot to doodle with my pens hahaha!

[@coveringgrape5251]

Would you be able to do an overview/review of the sailor color of time pens? Thanks

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you for your suggestion. I'm not sure what a color of time pen is.

[@-MichaelLastname-]

incredible video! also I noticed no one else asked and I'm deathly curious, what pen is at 8:29 ? It's so intriguing to me!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you so much! It is a FWI (Fine Writing International) bronze age pen that has been urushi-ed by Bokumondoh. It is an after market urushi (Japanese lacquer) treatment. It looks like a Amazon snake or something!

[@-MichaelLastname-]

@@InkyRocks thanks for the info, that is such a gorgeous pen you have!

[@robgrant8159]

Thank you for yet another great video. And the news that Kingdom note has moved. The old store is much cherished stand out memory for all the reasons you mentioned. Loved your choice of cup and saucer, what was the strategically yet subtle fountain pen placed at its side? Keep up the fine work

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! Good eye! The pen actually just rolled over there as I was trying so hard to film in a very small circle without filming anyone's face. Thank you so much!

[@robgrant8159]

@@InkyRocks ...the pen is a..........?

[@InkyRocks]

@@robgrant8159 argh, answered this on the run! It's a FWI Bronze age special edition from Wagner with a Bokumondoh finish!

[@robgrant8159]

@@InkyRocks Mmm very nice and in keeping with your style (eternal) appologies to YSL

[@roderickfemm8799]

What a great idea, to be able to buy used recent pens in a walk-in brick and mortar store! Instead we are cast on the less-than-tender mercies of eBay or sometimes-questionable online shops. Thank you for the tour, I'm still hoping someday to be able to visit Japan again, just to do a grand tour of pen stores. I understand there are some shops that are known for discounting (new?) fountain pens. Do you ever try out those shops?

[@InkyRocks]

Yes, it's a great idea, and it has the added benefit of having the 1 year warranty! Though, I would imagine, you could get cheaper prices on-line--all their used pens were in excellent shape. There are two discount shops that I use, but they are literally a closet under the train tacks in Ueno. The video would last about 15 seconds and I'm not sure if they would let me film them. The Japanese are surprisingly shy about having their faces shown. Thank you so much for watching and I hope you can make it out here again!

[@geraldinemariegonzales4985]

Congrats on the blue limited edition Lamy 2000!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! Now I need to sell the other one!

[@billcrabtree8700]

Also, I now want a blue Lamy 2000. What is the going rate for them?

[@InkyRocks]

They originally retailed in the US for $500 (I specify the US because I've heard some people say they sell Lamy's for more in the US). As I was scrolling thru eBay while deciding if I should buy it at the store, one was going for $500 USD and another for almost $1000 USD. I got mine for about $300 with a 1 year warranty.

[@thatfluffeebunneh]

what a gorgeous video! thank you for making this :) Ohh what i wouldn't do for a lamy 2000 as well

[@InkyRocks]

For me, they aren't the best writing experience but I like it too much to not use it hahaha! Thank you for watching!

[@chinoquant]

Thank you for suggesting white rabbit express. What website do you recommend to use to buy through white rabbit? The kingdom note website is hard to use for non Japanese reader. Looking for a pilot custom 74 not available in US. Thank you! 😁

[@InkyRocks]

Thanks! I really can not recommend a site as I have never ordered a pen from Japan from outside of Japan! You are using Google Chrome right? The translated Google Chrome Kingdom Note website is what I use and my Japanese is spotty. Good luck on getting the pen!

[@chinoquant]

@@InkyRocks thanks for the reply and the info in your videos! If i may ask, what are you doing in Japan? There is a chance my family and I will move there in a few years.

[@InkyRocks]

@@chinoquant My husband currently works here. Our home is Hawaii. That would be great to have a chance to live here. I really love it!

[@LogicvsLuxury]

This was an awesomeeeee video!!! I can’t wait to visit and get me some LE KNxSailors!

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you! You will certainly enjoy it!

[@yafelu]

Can you recomend a fountain pen shop in Japan that sells to Europe?

[@yafelu]

Thanks for the video, I’m loving.

[@InkyRocks]

Thank you!! You can try White Rabbit or some other proxy service to buy from Kingdome Note. Also, sometimes Amazon Japan will ship internationally. So will Justpirit--they are out of Taiwan but ship internationally and carry a bunch of cool stuff.

[@yafelu]

@@InkyRocks Thanks very much. Merry Christmas and a very hoppa New Year. Be sade.

[@yafelu]

I mean be safe.

[@InkyRocks]

@@yafelu Merry Christmas to you too and have a great New Year! Take care! 💞

[@Shiruvan]

damn, that's a good price for double shot espresso at 'Be a good neighbor'... I kept finding artisan coffee shops when I went to Tokyo, they basically put on 400+ yen prices, though pretty sure they're good, but I always inch for every spending 'cause all I ate was 100 yen onigiris.. saved for larger spendings

[@InkyRocks]

You are smart. That is exactly what I would do traveling to Japan. If you are wanting a cup of coffee, a lot of convenience stores sell coffee, and if you want to camp out with a cup, Dutor sells a cup for a little over 200 yen.

[@Shiruvan]

@@InkyRocks I found that Japanese instant coffee packs are alright, and some hotels often provide it for free. I tend to only buy espresso when I go to coffee shops, Doutor's coffee and the breakfast is good deal though! too bad that the last time I travelled to Japan right before the pandemic, I wasn't bugged with fountain pens until I looked for souvenir/incentive to write Japanese, before flight home. now I look at secondhand bargains on kingdomnote site occasionally😅

[@InkyRocks]

@@Shiruvan Ahh, another good place! I'm doing a video on ways to buy cheap stationery and fountain pens here in Japan (quite a few people are worried about the expense to travel here and I thought it would make a good video!)

[@hermanblinkhoven1856]

Forgive this direct and personal reaction. Something in your voice is quite irresistible. It sounds like a casual chance meeting could easily turn into a heart warming conversation, with anonymous politeness, empathetic listening and indulging in a bit of nerdiness, merged into a perfect blend.

[@InkyRocks]

Hahaha! thank you for your kind words. It’s been a crazy week moving out of our Tokyo apartment and heading to the states. It was nice to get some positive feedback. And I’m definitely heavy on the nerdiness 😊

[@irule102]

One of these days I'll get myself over there and spend all my money is all the fountain pen and stationery stores!

[@InkyRocks]

hahaha! That would be so much fun! As for me, I have to be very disciplined with my wallet when I go to these stores!

[@jcparkins]

I would just hand over all of my money when I walked in :-)

[@InkyRocks]

I SO have to be careful not to hahaha!

[@adelainev07]

OMG those Sailors. Used pens! So glad there is a section for second-hand.

[@InkyRocks]

Yes! I thought I had escaped scott free but the used pen section got me!

[@tezzcan1]

Lamy 2000 is my grail pen.😊

[@InkyRocks]

It's a great pen. I still have a bit of a problem with the small sweet spot but the Makrolon makes up for it!

[@tezzcan1]

@@InkyRocks is that because of the hooded nib? I read some where that the hooded nibs had that affect, and I’ve been writing with a Jinhao 51A lately and I find if I don’t hold it straight it can miss. Still liking it though.😜

[@InkyRocks]

@@tezzcan1 That is exactly the problem I have. I don't think it's because of the hooded nib as I feel that it is the tip itself--but I really don't know!

[@tezzcan1]

@@InkyRocks This is the article I read, if you go down to member ac12 he talks about how the hooded nib can basically restrict the view so you may hold it not quite inline. And the bigger the hood the bigger margin of error. He also mentioned using wetter inks.

[@InkyRocks]

@@tezzcan1 I do use wetter inks with it, but I still struggle a bit with the smaller sweet spot. I know I occasionally rotate the nib but I don't know if I do that more with the 2000.