Skip to main content

Okachimachi Jewelry Town: Tokyo’s Hidden World of Gems


After enjoying street food and the lively buzz of Ameyoko Market in Ueno, you wander through the crowds—and suddenly, the atmosphere changes.

Small signs. Practical display cases.
From the ground floor to the upper stories of narrow buildings:
jewels, jewels, and more jewels.

Welcome to  Jewelry Town Okachimachi, one of the largest jewelry districts in Japan and a rare sight even by global standards.

Around 2,000 businesses connected to the jewelry trade are packed into this compact neighborhood.

Retail jewelry shops sit next to wholesale dealers.
Loose stones (uncut or unset gems), natural stone shops, workshops, repair studios, and buy-back specialists—all side by side.
Everything related to jewelry exists here, tightly concentrated in just a few streets.

Some of the local streets even have unofficial nicknames like Diamond Avenue, Sapphire Street, or Emerald Avenue (you won’t see them on Google Maps, but locals know).
Nearby Okachimachi Panda Square regularly hosts pop-up markets where neighborhood jewelers and stone dealers set up stalls.

Where the World’s Gems Meet Japan’s Stones


Diamonds, sapphires, and gemstones from all over the world flow into Okachimachi.
At the same time, Japan’s own gemstones and minerals quietly play an important role here.

You may encounter:

  • Jade from Itoigawa (Niigata)

  • Rainbow Garnet from Nara

  • Sugilite, first discovered in Ehime

  • Akoya pearls, Japan’s iconic cultured pearls

  • Rhodonite from Iwate

  • Quartz from Yamanashi

  • Coral from Japanese coastal waters

Here, global gemstone trade and the geology of the Japanese archipelago meet on the same street corner.
It’s an everyday scene—and a slightly magical one.

Why Did a Jewelry Town Emerge Here?


Okachimachi was originally a craftsmen’s neighborhood.

The name comes from Okachi, low-ranking samurai in the Edo period who were not allowed to ride horses.
To support their families, many took on metalworking jobs—decorating sword fittings, making tobacco pipes, and crafting ritual objects for nearby temples and shrines.

These engraving and metalworking skills survived the end of the samurai era.
After the Meiji period, they naturally shifted from swords to jewelry.

The decisive turning point came after World War II.

Ueno became famous for its black markets, a place where imported goods could be found both “openly and quietly.”
Watches and precious metals—often from U.S. military surplus—were heavily traded.

Watchmakers and repair specialists gathered in Okachimachi, drawn by the need for precision skills.
As Japan’s economy grew and luxury goods diversified, jewelers followed—and settled.

A Rare, Fully Integrated Jewelry District

After diamond imports were liberalized in the 1960s, Okachimachi evolved into a B2B-focused jewelry hub.

Within walking distance, you can find:

  • Gem importers

  • Precious metal dealers

  • Cutting and repair workshops

  • Appraisal offices

  • Wholesalers supplying retailers across Japan

This level of vertical integration—all in one compact area—is rare anywhere in the world.

During Japan’s economic bubble in the late 1980s, vast amounts of high-quality diamonds and colored stones were accumulated here.
Some of them are still quietly waiting in back rooms and safes.

With the weak yen in recent years, buyers from around the world have returned.
Part of the romance of this town is knowing that priceless gems may be sleeping behind the most unassuming doors.

Why So Many Indian Gem Dealers?

One of the most noticeable features of Okachimachi is the strong presence of Indian gem dealers—reportedly more than 100 shops.

The reason is simple.
India dominates the global gemstone cutting industry, especially for diamonds and colored stones.

By sourcing high-quality rough stones in Okachimachi and combining them with advanced cutting techniques back home, Indian dealers can create high value while keeping costs efficient.

This is great news for English-speaking visitors.
Many Indian-run shops offer friendly English service, are open to price discussions, and may even accept USD payments.

You don’t need to buy anything.
In fact, a great way to start is simply asking:

“What kind of town is this?”
“What should I look for here?”

You might walk away not only closer to a hidden gem—but with a deeper understanding of how this unique district works.
It’s an experience especially enjoyable for international visitors.

“It Looks Intimidating”—And That’s True


As Okachimachi gains recognition, more people come searching for rare bargains or even gemstones for engagement rings during their honeymoon in Japan.

Still, this is not a polished tourist area.

Many shops look more like offices than stores.
Some are wholesale-only.
Some have no price tags.
Some operate only in Japanese.

Yes—it can feel intimidating.

But don’t worry.
There are clear entry points for beginners.

Where to Start: Two Friendly Shops

Crystal World

An excellent first stop for travelers and natural-stone beginners alike.

You’ll find stones from Japan and abroad, handmade goods, and traditional Japanese designs such as magatama that can be worn as-is.
Magatama: A Shape Japan Has Been Wearing for 7,000 Years

Upstairs, there’s a section dedicated to Japanese natural stones, perfect for discovering something uniquely local during your trip.

Nirvana Stone


For those ready to go a little deeper.

This shop sources stones directly from mines around the world and carries one of Japan’s largest selections—over 200 types of natural stones.
Quartz clusters, loose stones, specimens—just browsing is impressive.

Natural stones starting from just a few hundred yen — displayed casually in outdoor wagons




GALA JEWELRY / g-Lab



 A long-established jewelry shop with its own factory, offering everything from bridal rings to fashion pieces.
The attached café and community space, g-Lab, sometimes hosts workshops and events—making it an easy, friendly stop for visitors.


A Different Face of Tokyo

Just a few minutes from Ueno Park, Ameyoko, and Akihabara,
you’ll find a very different side of Tokyo.

You don’t need to buy anything.
Simply walking these streets has value.

Here, you can feel the pulse of the global gemstone trade,
learn about Japanese craftsmanship,
and experience a place where professionals and travelers quietly cross paths.

Take a walk through Okachimachi Jewelry Town.
You may discover an unexpected sparkle—and a story worth remembering.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ebisu – A Neighborhood Blessed by Gods and Beer

Among Tokyo’s many stylish districts, Ebisu has a special charm. Perched on hilly slopes, the area gathers sophisticated shopping complexes and international restaurants, while also being home to many foreign residents. It is a place where comfort and high-class living, everyday life and a touch of the extraordinary, mingle harmoniously. Ebisu is also conveniently adjacent to Shibuya and Daikanyama, making it easy to access and explore as part of a day in Tokyo. When deciding where to have dinner in central Tokyo, Ebisu is a neighborhood worth remembering. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so distinctive. The Origin of the Name “Ebisu” Ebisu ( えびす ) is one of Japan’s “Seven Lucky Gods,” a group that includes deities from Buddhism, Hindu traditions, and Japan’s own ancient beliefs. He is depicted holding a fishing rod and a sea bream, symbolizing prosperity in business and bountiful catches from the sea. To this day, Ebisu remains a beloved figure. And yet, the dir...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Do So Many Japanese Retirees Become Soba Masters?

SOBAGIRI RAKUJYO In Japan, there’s a curious and often heartwarming trend. After years of commuting, overtime, and corporate life, some Japanese salarymen retire and suddenly… take up soba-making by hand. Their friends chuckle. Their kids roll their eyes. “Seriously? Dad’s becoming a soba chef now?” But behind the jokes lies something very real: the quiet joy of working with your hands, and the meditative rhythm of turning buckwheat flour into something deeply nourishing. What Is Soba? Soba noodles are thin, light noodles made mainly from buckwheat flour, often mixed with a bit of wheat flour for elasticity. A common blend is 80% buckwheat and 20% wheat, known in Japan as ni-hachi soba . Soba lovers often debate the ideal flour ratio like wine lovers debate grape blends. You can eat soba hot in a savory broth or cold with dipping sauce — it's enjoyed all year but plays an especially symbolic role on New Year’s Eve, when toshikoshi soba is eaten to mark the transition to th...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Most "Unassuming" Ward in Tokyo? Exploring Kita Ward, Oji, Autumn in Asukayama Park

Among Tokyo’s 23 wards, there’s one area often called the most unremarkable . That’s Kita Ward — literally “North.” Kita = North. Simple as that. But there’s a reason behind that plain name. As the name suggests, Kita marks the northern gateway to Tokyo . Bordering Saitama Prefecture , it has long been considered the entrance to Edo — the historical Tokyo — since samurai times. The Northern Gateway: Oji Station At the heart of Kita Ward stands Oji Station , one of the city’s northernmost transport hubs. This time, I visited Oji on an autumn day to see what kind of charm this quiet part of Tokyo holds. The Slopes of Oji Tell a Story Step out of Oji Station, and you’ll immediately notice the slope.　Here, the flat streets from downtown Tokyo suddenly rise, reminding you of the city’s dramatic terrain. Today it’s neatly paved, but in the past, this was known as the beginning of a difficult hill road. At the top lies Asukayama Park , created in the 18th century by the eighth...
Post a Comment
Read more