KOBO
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KOBO is a gallery and shop featuring art, design, and fine crafts from Japan, the Northwest, and beyond. Visit us on Capitol Hill and Japantown!
COVID-19 Update:
Kobo at Higo at our Japantown location is now open Wednesday - Saturday, 11am-5pm
Kobo at our Capitol Hill location is now open on Tuesday-Saturday, 11-5pm
Masks are required. If you'd prefer another option, there are still many ways to shop and discover Kobo's treasures! All of these alternatives are available here: https://www.koboseattle.com
- Shop online & have your good
06/13/2026
Registration open: Boro II Workshop with Penny Cheuk-Low Penny
Project: Kinchaku - drawstring pouch
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 9:30AM - 1:30PM (includes lunch break)
Location: KOBO Japantown
Cost: $175 + tax (includes all fabric)
Prerequisite: General sewing experience, quilting, patchwork, and embroidery. Having Sashiko experience is a plus, but not required!
🪡 Visit koboseattle.com for registration.
05/30/2026
KOBO is pleased to present Eric Nelsen’s modern ancient wood-fired ceramic pieces.
Nelsen grew up in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Early in his career, he traveled to Japan to study traditional kiln building and ceramic techniques. In 1978, Nelsen established a studio in Seattle and in 1981, he returned to Japan to work as an apprentice to Kaneshige Michiaki in Bizen, Japan. Since 1985, he has maintained a studio anagama kiln on Vashon Island, WA.
What is the opposite of technology? Nature, organic, human, craftsmanship, manual, analogue. One could even add “emotional”. If art is all of these things, then it might be the antidote to what ails us. What we are trying not to feel can be brought to the surface when we sit with art (nature). Artist Ruka, is unafraid to reveal the challenging times we all grapple through. His intricate line work, shading, and color, evoke a meditation and allows time and space to just be. Through the eyes of a boy named Satoru, we follow his journey navigating these choppy waters. A reminder to treat our own world of emotions with kid gloves, too.
Born in 2004 in Okinawa, Japan, ‘Ruka’ graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle, with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design. Post-graduation, he has returned to creative arts and illustration while pursuing a career in architecture.
Ruka’s pieces for his series “World of Emotion” are on display at KOBO Gallery in Japantown. Also, we added his original drawings and giclee prints to our web site.
Link in bio
koboseattle.com
Ann Chikahisa Trunk Show, Saturday, May 16, 12-4pm, KOBO Capitol Hill, 814 East Roy St
Crafted in small batches with deep intention—not mass-produced trends.
Your jewelry is made with care, story, and soul—because you deserve better than fast fashion.” - Ann Chikahisa
Pieces featured here are on our website koboseattle.com and Ann will have many more pieces available at her trunk show!
05/09/2026
Mitten Sweets pop up will be happening at both Kobo locations: Sat 5/9 + Sun 5/10.
Special gift set just in time for Mother’s Day or just because!
Gift set especially made for KOBO by pastry chef, Misato Sakuma
05/07/2026
Gift Set Pre-Orders from Mitten Sweets available through Friday May 8th at 6pm. For mom, grandma, a friend, or for yourself!
Link in bio or visit koboseattle.com
Limited quantities will also be available at both Kobo locations Saturday May 9th and Sunday May 10th.
Created exclusively for KOBO Seattle by pastry chef, Misato Sakuma of Mitten Sweets & Coffee
Each box includes: A heart-shaped Berry Cookie, Black Sesame Financier, Matcha Baked Cake, “Koto” Ho-ji cha (roasted green tea) and Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Marshmallows.
Owner and pastry chef Misato Sakuma is the driving force behind Mitten Sweets & Coffee, a pastry and coffee shop in Seattle’s Central District. After graduating from culinary school, Misato gained experience at a traditional Japanese Kaiseki restaurant and a French-style cake shop in Kyoto, Japan. Her experience and love for creating the best sweets possible motivated her to start her own company in 2016. Their handmade cakes, mousse cakes, and baked goods are from scratch, and made with high-quality Japanese ingredients.
*Pre-Order: please specify which day and location for pick up.
05/02/2026
Spots still available for Saturday May 9th, Sashiko Basics with Penny Cheuk-Low.
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Kobo at Higo in Seattle’s Japantown
Link in bio for details and to sign up!
https://koboseattle.com/collections/just-added/products/workshop-sashiko-basics-with-penny-5-9-26
04/25/2026
Workshop Sign Up: going LIVE on our website koboseattle.com Sunday April 26th at 10am Pacific, with Penny Cheuk-Low, Instructor 🪡🪡🪡
Sashiko Basics: 5/9/26 & 6/6/26
Boro Stitching: 5/23/26
Location: Kobo at Higo in Seattle’s Japantown
In the event that all class spots are filled, please email us to be placed on a waitlist:
[email protected]
New Works from Seattle artist Aaron Murray at Kobo.
There’s nothing like settling in with a cup of tea or coffee. It’s your moment to take stock, or zone out. Think about a friend or family member and how much you miss them. That bird is surely noisy. Hey, the sun wants to come out. Whatever your thoughts or non-thoughts, you gave yourself a moment, and that deserves a pat on the back. We’ve got tea and coffee accoutrements - online, and in the stores.
Pictured above: Vintage Kutani Porcelain Tea Cup with Lithophane of a geisha at the bottom. A lithophane is a thin plaque of translucent material, normally porcelain, which has been moulded to varying thickness, such that when lit from behind the different thicknesses show as different shades, forming an image (wikipedia). Export ware, Taisho era (1912-1926).
Tea Cup available: koboseattle.com
Link in bio
https://koboseattle.com/products/vintage-kutani-porcelain-cup-and-saucer-set
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Address
604 S Jackson Street
Seattle, WA
98104
Opening Hours
| Wednesday | 11am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 11am - 5pm |
| Friday | 11am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 11am - 5pm |