Example of one of the shop curtains (noren) and other wares sold at Bengara, Asakusa & Sumida River.

©Rebecca Milner/Lonely Planet

Bengara

Asakusa & Sumida River


Spend any amount of time in Japan and you become quickly familiar with noren, the curtains that hang in front of shop doors. This shop sells beautiful ones, made of linen and coloured with natural dyes (such as indigo or persimmon) or decorated with ink-brush paintings. There are smaller items too, such as pouches and book covers, made of traditional textiles.


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