Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

Do you find that it normally takes you until Easter to start writing your Christmas thank-you letters? Yeah, that makes the two of us. Stop pontificating and get yourself some purdy paper from Winged Wheel, one of the finest stationers in the whole of Tokyo. New lines include #331—think traditional washi decked out in kimono patterns and family crests—and #602, deluxe cotton cards decorated with illustrations of animals including elephants, sloths and squirrels. If you really want to impress people, you can’t go wrong with the personalized cards, available with the same animal illustrations and also printed on cotton paper.

Set of six cards & envelopes: ¥650 (#331) or ¥520 (#602); personalized cards: ¥15,000 for 100 cards/envs. Winged Wheel: 4-5-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5785-0719. Closed Tue. Nearest stn: Omotesando, exit A2. www.winged-wheel.co.jp