36 Sublo (36 サブロ) is a shop in Kichijōji for papyrophiliac. Beyond the door, a small stationery world will make you lose track of time. It is amazing how the shop can turn ordinary items in our daily life into something that isn’t only just useful but different. For example, the date stamps have other images included on the seal. So, an interesting or cute image is also included when the stamp prints the date on paper!
About 36 Sublo
The same as free design, 36 Sublo is located on the second floor and can be easily missed. After all, the shop’s sign isn’t obvious and the footpath underneath is narrow, which makes it even harder to spot the stationery seller. But if you look up from downstairs, you can clearly see the number 36 printed largely on the window.
The beautiful range of stationery sold at 36 Sublo is mostly the shop’s original products, although other brand’s products can also be seen. Whether it is something nostalgic, cute, interesting or cool, you will be surprised by the wide range of stationery and miscellaneous goods tucked in the space. Apparently, the small store has over 2,000 different types of items!
The store was named after the owner’s grandfather, who also owned a stationery shop.
The Stationery Range at 36 Sublo
36 Sublo also collaborates with illustrators. The Kichijōji Elephant (きちぞうさん) is a great example. The oddly drawn light blue elephant with a bird living on its head and back was a collaboration between illustrator makomo and 36 Sublo. You can hardly resist not judging!
Another interesting range we found was their sumo range. Images of sumo wrestlers doing daily chores are printed on various small items, such as a chopstick rest!
If you like to collect memorial stamps at train stations and attractions you visit, we recommend that you grab a stamp book (スタンプ帳/スタンプノート) from 36 Sublo. Each page has a space for you to note down the location, the date, and a brief description of the places you’ve been.
The pencils at 36 Sublo isn’t ordinary either. The one shown in the photo in the Instagram post above is a fortune slip pencil. Your fortune of the near future is written on it. Of course, it is just for fun, or maybe it only works if the drawer is a student. The one I drew with said that I would get a good test result.
Tip: A good time to visit 36 Sublo is after 3 pm on weekdays, as there are fewer crowds.
36 Sublo’s Business Hours and Access Information
- 36 Sublo is open from 12 pm to 7 pm from Wednesday to Monday.
- The shop is around a 7-minute walk from Kichijoji Station.
- It also has a shop in Kyoto’s Fushimi area.
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
Now that you know where to go for a tea break, it is time to discover the attractions in Kichijōji. The neighborhood rated “The Most Desirable Area to Live in Tokyo” is great for almost everything. It is also where the famous Ghibli Museum is located!
So, for more ideas of what to do in the area, refer to our Kichijōji article!
