Buying Guide Japanese Fabrics

Directions to nani IRO Atelier

July 11, 2013

While the memory is still fresh in my mind, I thought it would be useful to jot down the directions to the nani IRO Atelier in Osaka. Some of you who might be heading to Osaka for a holiday might find it useful if you are going fabric shopping. It is definitely worth a visit if you are a big fan, because not only do they have the latest fabrics, there are also fabrics archived from the past seaons. There are limited prints and mostly pre-cut fabrics. There are also ready made Zakka goods (SUMAU nani IRO range) available for sale. In any case, if you are a fan, you will love it!

Before I left, I saved a copy of the map from their official site on my phone, but I still got lost. I think the main reason is because there were too many lines and road names and not many landmarks on the map itself. So I decided to create my own (at the bottom of the page) where you only need to know the major road to follow, and the landmarks to guide you along the way.

First of all, take the subway to the 肥後橋 (Higobashi) station. Here I am taking it from Namba station.


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

Once you get to the station, follow the directions in the station, and look for Exit 7. You will emerge from the underground subway station via this stairs, landing right outside this shop called Aoki Men’s Plaza (see the blue sign in the picture above?) which sells Menswear. Walk in the direction of the green arrow in the picture. You will cross junction #1 after the green arrow.

Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

At the next block, you will see a Japan Post Office (Orange sign). Keep walking along the main road in the direction shown above. Walk past the Japan Post Office and you will cross junction #2 (see the crossing in the picture?)


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

Just before the next junction (#3), you will see this brown building with a blue signboard. The name of the building is way up on the top, so I didn’t see it at first. And the alley didn’t look quite right, as there were no visible shops from the main road. But this is the right turning, so turn into the alley and walk straight ahead.


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

You will pass by a open air public carpark on the left. Keep walking down the alley.


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

At the next block you should see a courier service office (with the blue sign) on the left. This is were I asked for directions because I just wasn’t sure I was on the right track. But it is the right way, so keep walking. You will need to cross another junction after this block with the courier office.

Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

After crossing the junction, you should see quite a large neighbourhood park on the right. On the left there is a row of low buildings.

The white one! The name of the building is 壽会館ビル – which you see in gold words. Atelier to nani IRO is on the second floor. See the flag hanging from the window? I almost missed it because there were some trucks parked in the building before it. Anyway, enter the building and you will see a steep flight of stairs on the left. Take the stairs to get to the second floor. and there you are!

No photos allowed in the store, so this was the first photo I snapped on my mobile after shopping. It’s a big bag. And they wrapped it in plastic carefully because it was raining.

Back in the hotel, admiring my purchases, wishing I bought more 🙂

Carefully wrapped presents for two very lucky friends.

Click on image to view larger picture

Here is the simplified map. One thing to note, the instructions on the official site said to get out at Exit 8, but Exit 7 is actually nearer.

Photo credits : Many of the street view photos are taken from Google Maps and I added further directions. It was raining cats and dogs on the day I went, so it was impossible to take any photos with my DSLR and hold an umbrella and find my way at the same time. The street view feature on Google Maps is quite amazing. you can try it for yourself and see.


View Larger Map

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14 Comments

  • Reply Wendy Pang July 11, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    That’s so helpful for people who don’t read Japanese. Thank you

  • Reply Janice July 14, 2013 at 12:15 am

    Thanks for this – my dream is that I will someday get to use these directions!! I really enjoy reading your blog – thanks for all your inspiration!

  • Reply Sampling November 8, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    Thank you so much for your clear directions! It was a great help, even in the dark!

  • Reply Simple wallet sewing video tutorial with free pattern – Sew-along Day #1 » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics February 17, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    […] STAR Hooray_やっほー  laminated cotton. Isn’t it lovely? I bought it last June during my trip to the nani IRO atelier. I wasn’t looking for laminates in particular but there it was, standing against the wall in […]

  • Reply Lynn W March 23, 2014 at 2:28 am

    Is Osaka the only city where there is a Nani Iro store? I saw your directions (awesome) to the Nani Iro in Osaka. What are the prices like compared to the US prices that seem to be around $20 per yard? I have a friend visiting this summer and she will be in Tokyo, Osaka, and many other major cities.

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books March 24, 2014 at 9:21 am

      Hi Lynn,
      nani IRO fabrics are carried by many major fabric shops, but the selections vary. For example not all shops carry the special fabrics like quilted fabrics/laminates. There is only one nani IRO atelier which was the one I went to. It’s not a very big shop but they have a full range of fabrics including selected previous season fabrics, as well as the goods they carry on their online store http://online.naniiro.jp/

      The prices vary depending on the fabric type, but as a starting point the double gauze fabrics are 1300yen/m (that’s less than USD12/yard based on current exchange rates). The prices are pretty much standardized across the fabric shops, but there are also past season pre-cut fabrics (usually in 1m quantities) that go for less.

      It’s a must visit if you are a fan, but might be tough to find for your friend because it is out of the way from the major shopping districts.
      If she is visiting Tokyo as well, she can try okadaya shinjuku. That’s where I bought my first nani IRO from, and Shinjuku is a huge station that most people will have to pass by anyway while changing trains to other cities, so it might be easier for your friend. http://www.okadaya.co.jp/shinjuku/access.html

      • Reply Lynn W June 16, 2014 at 7:49 pm

        Thanks so much!!!

  • Reply Anette April 29, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    wonderful directions, thank you! I am looking for some shops with a good selection of quilt fabrics – both the cute ones and more blue tradtional (for japanese folding quilting) and maybe also notions, as I am going to Osaka and have some time for shopping May 7th. Do you have any advise – Kind regards Anette

  • Reply Arlyna June 18, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’m going to Osaka and this is one stop I definitely want to make. Thank you for making this direction easy to follow! This is definitely helpful when I don’t have much time in Osaka.

  • Reply Kit Wong December 1, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Thanks for the detailed directions!! I made it there without getting lost at all. 🙂

  • Reply Grace December 8, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Thank you so much for the directions! I just came back from the atelier and it was such a breeze finding the place with your clear photos and arrows. Oh btw the brown building before junction #3 no longer has the blue signboard but the building still looks just like in the photo. I’m just disappointed that the fabric I wanted has already been sold out (since last summer!) and they are not making it anymore. I wish I came here 6 mths earlier.

  • Reply Zie December 30, 2016 at 8:35 am

    hi, i will travel to Japan for fabrics hunting and thinking to go to this place.
    I will stay at Arakawa (which is nearest place to Nippori Textile Town).
    I am thinking to buy a ticket flying from Narita to Osaka on our last day, can you advice how to go to the Atelier from Osaka Airport?

  • Reply Donna Wilson May 31, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    Hi, I just stumbled upon your site, as one does while floating thru Instagram, and wanted to tell you how impressed I am with it. So helpful, informative and professionally arranged. Well done! I am also completely obsessed with this new book and am an experienced sewer so should be able to muddle through with the Japanese instructions. Can you tell me where I might find it in Canada? I tried to find stockists from directly from their site but couldn’t find the link.

    Thanks and I look forward to your future updates……..Donna

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books July 3, 2018 at 9:27 am

      Hi Donna, are you looking for the books or fabric? For books you can order them through cdJapan or amazon.co.jp. For nani IRO fabrics you can order from nekoneko.co – it has a huge selection of nani IRO fabrics and they ship to Canada for just US8.90

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