Nomura In Tokyo

[sablebrush52]

My son is in Tokyo and a friend asked me if he could find a particular tobacco blend that is only available in Japan.
So I sent him to Nomura, where he found what I’d been asked to find. As long as he was in the shop I asked to him to take a couple of pictures, which I thought might be of interest.

 

[briarblues]

Looks like a really well stocked shop...... nice.

 

[sablebrush52]

Looks like a really well stocked shop...... nice.

Very well stocked. Max had his phone video feed going and took me on a brief tour of the cases as well as around the shop. It is packed! Very high end pipes. Fully stocked with a broad range of tobaccos. This is a place for the pipe smoker to visit when in Tokyo.

 

[Egg Shen]

I wonder how prices were. What blend was the one being hunted? It looks like a nice space.

 

[sablebrush52]

I wonder how prices were. What blend was the one being hunted? It looks like a nice space.

Well, I paid the bill. Prices seem higher than the US, but not by multiples, like Oz, the EU, or the UK. Among the tobaccos was one called Momoyama, and the other is something called Asuka. A pouch of Momyama cost about $25. I'll know more when my son gets back in a few weeks.

 

[hawky454]

Wow! I’d definitely like to visit, I could spend the entire day there.

 

[jguss]

Well, I paid the bill. Prices seem higher than the US, but not by multiples, like Oz, the EU, or the UK. Among the tobaccos was one called Momoyama, and the other is something called Asuka. A pouch of Momyama cost about $25. I'll know more when my son gets back in a few weeks.

I have a pouch of Momyama, but never tried Asuka.

 

[Egg Shen]

I’ll have to read up on these. The store looks like a nice place to work.

 

[kcghost]

It looks to be an amazing shop.

 

[mso489]

Trust the Japanese to have a pipe shop with vast inventory, meticulously neat and organized. The oriental rugs in the humidor caught my eye. I think those are pouches lined up in the cabinet with their labels showing. Thank you for posting those photos. Nothing that nice since Nat Sherman closed on 42nd Street.

 

[anotherbob]

My son is in Tokyo and a friend asked me if he could find a particular tobacco blend that is only available in Japan.
So I sent him to Nomura, where he found what I’d been asked to find. As long as he was in the shop I asked to him to take a couple of pictures, which I thought might be of interest.

wow I have mixed feelings about your son right now. I hate him out of the greenest jealousy (exaggerating), and think he's freakin awesome for sharing this (totally straight sentiment).

 

[bullet08]

Both my sons are going to Japan next year. Interesting idea just popped in my head.

 

[guylesss]

Very much looking forward to your tobacco reviews, Jesse-san.

 

[mso489]

Trust the Japanese to have a pipe shop with vast inventory, meticulously neat and organized. The oriental rugs in the humidor caught my eye. I think those are pouches lined up in the cabinet with their labels showing. Thank you for posting those photos. Nothing that nice since Nat Sherman closed on 42nd Street.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Nice. Looks like a really great shop with a nice supply. I've always wanted to visit, as I've heard great things from the people I know who have. The vinyl LP shops are very impressive.

 

[clynch]

Thanks for the pics. Very nice indeed.

 

[orvet]

If only I could have found a pipe shop like that when I was in Japan in 1972. About the only tobacco I found was the limited selection at the Navy Exchange on MCAS Iwakuni. As I remember there were sometimes a few packages of things like Borkum Riff, Half & Half, PA and Velvet and maybe a few corn cob pipes and a few Dr Grabow or Medico pipes.

 

[Davy]

Well, I paid the bill. Prices seem higher than the US, but not by multiples, like Oz, the EU, or the UK. Among the tobaccos was one called Momoyama, and the other is something called Asuka. A pouch of Momyama cost about $25. I'll know more when my son gets back in a few weeks.

Momoyama is made by Mac Baren, exclusively for the Japanese market, I believe.

 

[Briar Tuck]

My wife is going to Japan in a couple of months. I was thinking of having her pick me up a pipe or some tobacco if she can.

 

[huntertrw]

...and the other is something called Asuka.

In his book Pipesmoking - A 21st Century Guide, Richard Carleton Hacker had this to say about Asuka: "This is blended in Japan by Japan Tobacco, Inc. , but it tastes so classically English, you expect to see the words (sic) 'London' on the tin. It is wonderfully dry smoking with a rugged, medium smoky flavor. HPH 2 - 2.5."