Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

Get access to the quintessentially Japanese specialized hobby shop—or one genre, at least—with the new e-book Tokyo Craft Guide: A Collection of Japanese Craft Shopping Adventures. Minneapolis native Angela Salisbury, who sells Japanese sashiko embroidery kits and handmade gifts via her online shop Saké Puppets, co-wrote the book with Frances Arikawa, an Australian-born purveyor of fabricware via her own Miss Matatabi store. Whimsical yet detailed neighborhood maps are lovingly illustrated by Hanako Clulow, allowing readers to follow the mazy routes of the authors through the unique stopping points and personal stories of the underground Tokyo craft scene.

US$18, available from www.tokyocraftguide.com.

Metropolis is giving away one free copy of Tokyo Craft Guide. Email your postal address to giveaway@metropolis.co.jp and tell us your favorite type of fabric and why. The winner will be chosen by the authors on July 14.