I know this post will be for a limited audience, but if you happen to be reading this, and you’re a knitter, and you decide to visit Osaka and are then seized by the desire to buy yarn, this is the post for you! Otherwise, maybe skip this one. I’ll post something more globally relevant about Osaka soon.

So, you want yarn? And you’re in Osaka? Okay, here’s what you do. Make your way to Osaka’s Namba station, head downstairs and find one of the many station maps around that show all the underground stores.

Look on the map for number 95. Do you see it? Just above 96, “Regal Shoes”. In between the big 17 and 19, there it is. Okay, so that is Masuzakiya Knit Shop. That is where you want to go. Go, and on the way stop for a Beard Papa’s fresh n’ natural cream puff. Hell, have 2. They’re delicious.

When you see the shop, it may look like it sells ugly clothes. Pay no mind. Look for the balls of yarn hidden behind the appalling cardigans and hats. You’ll know it’s the right place when you see a terrifying wooden tabby cat, wearing a yellow and green striped jumper, sitting in a tiny comfy chair in the window. I shudder at the memory.

Now, set yourself a 20000 yen limit, and shop, shop, shop! Bring home some Noro. I did. What I bought at Masuzakiya knit shop: 10 balls of Kureyon (lots 95, 149, 170×2, 185, 188×2, 207, 214, 229), 4 balls of Silk Garden Lite (col 2107, lot B). All for just 11891 yen (about $147.32); as compared to same order online at yarnmarket.com which, with shipping and tax comes out to $174.40.

ps – If you’re in a Japanese bookstore and you want to find the crafting / knitting / quilting books, ask for “Ondori”. It means “Rooster” in Japanese, but it’s the name of a publisher that makes craft books.