Learn About the Printing Industry: Things to Do in Shinjuku

We introduce you to “Ichigaya Letterpress Factory” and the “Printing Museum,” which are ideal for learning about printing technology. Although “Ichigaya no Mori Hon to Katsuji-kan” and the “Printing Museum” are not located in Kagurazaka, they are within walking distance from Kagurazaka. Therefore, if you book our ‘Kagurazaka Walking Tour,’ we will guide you to these places as well. Let’s learn printing technology with us.

Until the 1980s, letterpress printing was the mainstream printing technology. With the advancement of printing technology, offset printing became mainstream, but in Shinjuku Ward, the technique of letterpress printing is still inherited. Ancient bookbinding techniques such as “Watoji” are also precious craftsmanship that remains in Shinjuku.

Ichigaya Letterpress Factory

The theme is “Real Factory,” partially recreating the scenery of an old printing factory. Inside the facility, the design of characters (Shueitai), the process of casting type, printing, and bookbinding are exhibited. The operating state of printing machines and the work of letterpress craftsmen are also presented as dynamic displays. It is a printing house centered on letterpress printing and a workshop where you can experience the beauty, depth, and fun of printing.

The printing factory tour (guided tour inside the facility) includes very kind explanations from the staff. The printing factory tours are mainly held on weekends. Advance reservations are required, but I highly recommend them.

Address: 1-1-1 Ichigaya Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8001

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (open on public holidays), year-end and New Year holidays

Nearest Stations and Access:

• Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Yurakucho Line, Ichigaya Station, Exit 6, 10-minute walk

• JR Ichigaya Station, 15-minute walk

• Toei Shinjuku Line, Ichigaya Station, Exit 1, 15-minute walk

• Toei Oedo Line, Ushigome Kagurazaka Station, Exit A1, 10-minute walk

Printing Museum

In the print workshop, you can experience touching type and printing, view letterpress printing tools up close, and feel the 500-year history of letterpress printing. You can also perform typesetting work using type on dedicated work tables (composing tables) for letterpress printing experiences. The experiences use small tabletop letterpress printing machines.

The Printing Museum introduces not only Japanese but also world printing technologies and their history. The museum also exhibits woodblock prints such as ukiyo-e. Takahashi Kobo, which offers ukiyo-e-making experience tours, is very close to the Printing Museum. Learning the history and technology of printing at the Printing Museum and experiencing ukiyo-e making at Takahashi Kobo would be an excellent experience.

Address: 1-3-3 Suido, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8531, TOPPAN Koishikawa Headquarters Building

Closed: Mondays (open on public holidays), year-end, and New Year holidays

Nearest Stations and Access:

• Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Edogawabashi Station (Exit 4), 8-minute walk

• JR Sobu Line (East Exit), Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Tozai Line, Namboku Line, Toei Oedo Line, Iidabashi Station (Exit B1), 13-minute walk

• Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Namboku Line, Korakuen Station (Exit 1), 10-minute walk