Family Dining · Practical guide
Tachikichi
The Inbound Traveler's Guide to Kyoto's 1752 Japanese Tableware Brand & Department Store Shopping
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | たち吉 (Tachikichi) |
| Brand Name | Tachikichi / たち吉 (株式会社たち吉 / Tachikichi Co., Ltd.) |
| Store Type | Traditional Japanese tableware & ceramics specialty retailer (department store counters & outlet shops) |
| Target Audience | Culinary travelers, home cooks, and gift buyers seeking refined everyday Japanese ceramics, porcelain plates, lacquerware, and chopsticks |
| Ordering Style | Browse the chosen retailer or showroom, request item-specific assistance and ask which packaging and checkout services that seller actually offers. Special gallery or workshop visits require separate reservations where stated. |
| Membership Required? | No membership or local residency required for general shopping (original physical foreign passport required for Tax-Free registration at participating facilities) |
| Approximate Price Range | Item prices depend on the specific model, size, finish, condition and retailer. Check the official current product page or the individual shelf label; availability and the final price depend on the selected seller. Tourist tax-free eligibility is determined by the seller and the purchase, not by the brand alone. |
| Multilingual Support | Ask the individual department-store counter or outlet which languages and signs it actually supports; no chain-wide multilingual service is confirmed. |
| Payment Methods | Check the actual boutique, showroom or host-facility register for currently accepted cash, cards and cashless payment options; methods vary by the selling counter. |
| Store Network | The official directory identifies department-store counters and outlet shops in Japan. Check the current branch name, department-store floor and outlet address on the official list before visiting. |
What it is
Founded in Kyoto in 1752 (Horeki 2), Tachikichi Co., Ltd. (株式会社たち吉) is one of Japan's longest-running and most widely accessible traditional tableware houses. Over 270 years, Tachikichi has built a reputation for designing original ceramics, porcelain, lacquerware, glassware, and wooden chopsticks that reflect Japan's four seasons and culinary customs—balancing refined Kyoto aesthetics with practical durability for daily family meals.
Tachikichi's official directory lists named department-store counters and outlets, including branches in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. Department-store display space and outlet stores are different retail formats, which are listed separately rather than as one uniform shop category. Ask each counter about available products and packing rather than assuming uniform tourist services.
How to order
Step 1: Finding Department Store & Outlet Locations
Tachikichi's listed selling locations occupy department-store floors and outlet sites; consult the official shop directory for a specific destination:
- Department Store Counters: The official list includes counters inside department stores. Check the exact venue and floor on Tachikichi's directory before visiting; inventory and payment arrangements differ.
- Outlet Locations: The official directory lists locations including Sano, Karuizawa, Kobe-Sanda and Rinku, as well as other sites. Check each outlet's current stock and promotions; discounts are not guaranteed on every item.
- Check the exact host department-store or outlet opening schedule on the official branch directory and the host facility website before traveling; no single chain-wide opening time is established.
Step 2: Exploring Seasonal Ceramics & Everyday Tableware
- Browse display tables organized by dining function: rice bowls (Chawan), small side-dish plates (Kozara), rectangular grilled-fish plates (Yakizakana-zara), dipping bowls, and seasonal chopstick rests (Hashioki).
- Choosing Lightweight Gifts: If suitcase weight is a concern, focus on compact items such as glazed ceramic chopstick rests, small soy-sauce dishes, and lacquered wooden chopsticks, which pack cleanly without adding bulk.
Step 3: Requesting Tourist-Grade Protective Packing
- Because porcelain and earthenware are fragile, always tell the counter staff if you are flying internationally ("Hikoki de motte kaerimasu" / I am taking this on a plane).
- Ask what cushioning or gift boxes are available for the individual purchase; packing services and breakage protection are not guaranteed at every host counter.
Step 4: Checkout & Japan's November 2026 Tax Refund Procedure
- Seller eligibility: Check whether the exact shop or department-store counter is a registered tax-free seller under the refund system in force since November 1, 2026. A host facility's participation does not establish eligibility for every tenant. Ask about eligible purchases, any fees and the refund method at the counter before paying.
- At purchase: If your purchase qualifies (generally at least ¥5,000 excluding tax from the same registered seller on the same day), show your original passport for the seller's electronic purchase-record procedure, buy the goods at the tax-inclusive price and agree on a refund method. The former separate general-goods and consumables purchase-category rules no longer apply; qualifying consumables must not be consumed in Japan.
- At departure: Within 90 days from the date of purchase, present your passport for customs confirmation at the airport or seaport from which you leave Japan. Customs checks the electronic tax-free purchase records and whether the goods are being exported; a physical-goods inspection is required when instructed, not automatically for every purchase. Complete the procedure before checking in baggage containing the goods.
- After confirmation: The registered seller or its designated refund provider returns the consumption-tax amount by the method agreed at purchase, subject to its terms. Some airports have refund facilities for participating merchants; they are not a universal refund counter for all brands or branches.
- Packing: Ask the individual seller what protective packaging it offers. Pack delicate purchases according to your airline's hand- and checked-baggage limits; packaging does not guarantee against breakage.
What to order first
1. Seasonal Ceramic Chopstick Rests (Hashioki / 箸置き)
- What it is: Miniature hand-glazed porcelain rests shaped like cherry blossoms, autumn maple leaves, bamboo, goldfish, or Mount Fuji.
- Why buy it: Inexpensive, virtually weightless, and exquisite miniature accents for any dining table.
- Price expectation: Check the current model- and size-specific listing or shelf price at the selected seller; prices and availability vary.
2. Paired Husband-and-Wife Rice Bowls (Meoto-jawan / 夫婦茶碗)
- What it is: Coordinated sets of two Japanese porcelain or stoneware rice bowls—typically one slightly larger and one slightly smaller—featuring complementary brushwork or glazes.
- Why buy it: A classic, meaningful Japanese wedding or housewarming gift packaged in presentation boxes.
- Price expectation: Check the current model- and size-specific listing or shelf price at the selected seller; prices and availability vary.
3. Versatile Japanese Small Plates (Kozara & Mamezara / 小皿・豆皿)
- What it is: Palm-sized dipping plates and appetizer dishes in traditional indigo Sometsuke blue-and-white or warm Kyoto earthen glazes.
- Why buy it: Ideal for serving soy sauce, sushi condiments, olive oil, tapas, or desserts back home.
- Price expectation: Check the current model- and size-specific listing or shelf price at the selected seller; prices and availability vary.
4. Japanese Lacquered & Natural Wood Chopsticks
- What it is: Tapered Japanese chopsticks crafted from natural woods and finished with smooth grip textures at the tips for picking up delicate foods.
- Why buy it: Compact and easy to pack with suitable protection; check the wood and surface finish because chopsticks can scratch, bend or break under pressure.
- Price expectation: Check the current model- and size-specific listing or shelf price at the selected seller; prices and availability vary.
5. Formal Paulownia-Boxed Tea & Sake Sets
- What it is: Kyusu teapots, yunomi teacups, and ceramic sake flasks (Tokkuri and Ochoko) presented in traditional Kiribako wooden storage boxes.
- Why buy it: Refined hospitality pieces showcasing Kyoto's tea and sake traditions.
- Price expectation: Check the current model- and size-specific listing or shelf price at the selected seller; prices and availability vary.
Payment & practical info
- Accepted Payment Modes: Confirm cash, card, electronic-money and QR-payment acceptance at the precise selling counter before purchasing; a host building's payment options need not cover every tenant.
- Tax-Free Refund Rules (from November 1, 2026):
- Confirm the exact selling counter's registration; buy tax-inclusive and register eligible purchase details with the seller using your passport. Generally the threshold is ¥5,000 excluding tax per registered seller per day, with no separate general-goods category limits; do not consume eligible consumables in Japan.
- Within 90 days of purchase, complete departure customs confirmation against the electronic purchase record before checking bags that contain the goods. The seller or its designated operator refunds by the purchase-time agreed method; airport refund desks serve only participating retailers.
- Operating Hours & Wi-Fi: Operating hours and Wi-Fi availability follow host department store or outlet mall schedules and infrastructure (varies by store).
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. Check Microwave & Dishwasher Labels on Glazed Ceramics
Tachikichi advises using a microwave only with products explicitly marked microwave-compatible and generally recommends avoiding dishwashers. Metallic gold or silver decoration requires product-specific care; check the label rather than assuming a whole collection is microwave-safe. Do not expose ceramics to direct flame, an oven or abrupt temperature changes unless that item explicitly permits it.
2. Promotional Discount Coupons
Promotional discount coupons may be distributed during specific promotional campaigns or host department store/outlet tourist coupon drives. Terms, validity periods, exclusions, and minimum purchase conditions apply.
3. Allow Time for Department Store Tax-Free Counters
If the seller provides a tax-free procedure, allow extra time for any registration and checkout. Counter location, processing time and participation must be confirmed with the individual selling facility.
FAQ
Q1: Are outlet prices at Tachikichi Premium Outlet stores lower than department stores?
Some outlet locations offer products and promotions different from department-store counters. Discounts, item conditions and return terms vary; consult the selected outlet and compare the actual price.
Q2: Can Tachikichi wrap ceramics securely enough for checked airline luggage?
Ask the individual counter what protective packaging it can provide. Fragile dishes can break even when boxed: follow airline size and weight rules, cushion the item carefully and confirm any insurance or compensation separately.
Q3: How do I receive my consumption tax refund under the 2026 airport customs system?
Only if the specific registered retailer processes your qualifying purchase: buy at the tax-inclusive price and register the purchase record and refund method when shopping. Within 90 days from the purchase date, complete customs confirmation of export using your passport and electronic purchase record, before checking bags containing the goods. Customs may request to inspect goods; the seller or designated provider then refunds according to the method agreed at purchase. Airport refund facilities are for participating retailers, not universal. Do not consume eligible consumables in Japan.
Sources
- Japan Customs: 2026 departure refund rules (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Official brand/store/product reference: tachikichi.jp (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Tachikichi Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Portal (Verified: 2026-11-13)
- Tachikichi Nationwide Store Directory (Verified: 2026-11-13)
- Japan Customs Departure Tax-Free Regulations (Verified: 2026-11-13)