Where to buy COPIC markers in Tokyo

Because my photo of the markers received so many shares, I realised that many artists are interested about the markers and perhaps want to know where to buy them from. Hence I wrote this guide for artists to shop in COPIC heaven aka Tokyo.

★ UPDATE NOV 2017: Please refer to my new article for latest updates on COPIC marker shopping! >>> Ultimate Guide to Copic marker shopping in Tokyo, Japan


This is the retail price of the markers (excluding 8% tax):

• Sketch: 380 yen
• Ciao 250 yen
• Classic 380 yen
• Various Ink (refill): 342 yen
• Wide: 480 yen
• 72 colours set: 27,360 yen

Tax-free shopping for foreigners

Nowadays many shops has tax-free counters. Art materials like markers and papers are considered consumable products, so the minimum for tax-free shopping is 5,001 yen (excluding 8% tax). This is pretty easy to achieve by buying at least 14 markers.

Once you have your basket-full of goodies, go to their cashier and say you would like to do tax-free and show them your passport. You need to pay the total with tax first and then proceed to their tax-free counter to get back your 8% tax in cash and they will staple a copy of the receipt in your passport. You are supposed to go to the customs counter after security check when you are going back home for the officers to take the receipts out. Items are sealed at the shop's tax-free counter and you are advised not to open the bag until you leave Japan but...ehem, they never check at the airport .

Shops

• TOOLS
  http://www.tools-shop.jp/

Prices are at 10% off retail price. So a sketch marker is 342yen and a set of 72 colours is 24,624 yen. Sorry, it seems that their promotion period is over and prices are back to regular price. Therefore it is better to buy your markers from Tokyu Hands or LOFT, where you can enjoy 5% off as a tourist.

However Tools carry almost all the COPIC range including wide markers, pens and accessories but their stock for sets may be limited. They also sell textured marker papers that has the rice paper feel with specially treated backing to prevent bleeding. They even have a Copic Clinic at their Ochanomizu branch where they offer refill and nib replacement services. However, I am not sure if all branches have their own tax-free counters. But I do know the one at Lumine EST shopping mall (above Shinjuku station) has a tax free counter on the same floor so I recommend going there if you are visiting Tools.

(The first photo and the one posted on my FB and Instagram were taken at TOOLS shop)

• ITOYA
  http://www.ito-ya.co.jp/

Prices at Itoya is at full retail price although they carry many COPIC sets (maybe that's why they have stock). They do not have as many selection of special marker papers as TOOLS.  However their main branch at Ginza is a whopping 2 buildings filled with pens, papers, stationery and art materials so it is worth a trip down. They have a tax-free counter to get back your 8% tax.

• LOFT
  http://www.loft.co.jp/
• TOKYU HANDS
  http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/

Tokyu Hands and LOFT are everyday and general goods retail store selling almost anything imaginable. They have branches all over Japan and many in Tokyo. Although they have all the COPIC sketch colours, they may not have the sets and as many accessories as TOOLS. They sell at full retail price but you can get a 5% discount when you show them your passport. You can also do tax-free shopping if you buy more than 5,001yen worth of consumable products (exclude tax).

• ANIMATE
  http://www.animate-world.com/
  Nov 2016: Reader feedback that Animate no longer carry any art supplies.
  Apr 2017: Reader Zatnik feedback that Animate still has CIAO markers.

With that, wishing you happy shopping! HOHOHO~