Students are asked to buy and bring their own art material on the first day of class. I have provided a basic oil painting material list in English and Japanese. The list includes itemized prices from Sekaido Art Store. You might want to print a copy of the list to give to a store clerk so he can help you find everything.

There are 3 major art stores where you can pick up your supplies. Sekaido, located in Shinjuku (see map), has 4 floors; the first offers a huge selection in stationary; the second sells mainly papers and design material; the third sells oil, watercolor, acrylic and Japanese art supplies. The fourth floor has frames, both standardized and custom. If you sign up for a Sekaido card you are entitled to discounts. There is a 20% discount for all art material, except oils and fixatives which have a 30% discount. Sekaido also offers an extra 7% discount coupon on your total purchase which can be applied toward your next purchase. These discounts can add up. Without a Sekaido card, drawing material would cost ¥10.272 instead of ¥8,217 and basic oil painting material would cost ¥29,521 instead of ¥22,595. (Note: Prices may have gone up recently due to the pandemic and inflationary impact on the Japanese economy.)

There are several branches of Yuzawaya: on the 11th floor of Takashima Times Square in Shinjuku (see map), in Kamata (on the Keihen Tohoku Line and the Ikegami Line), and on the 8th and 9th floor of Kirarina in Kichijouji (see map). Kichichouji Station is an end station on the Inokashira Line –– Kirarina is immediately to the right of the ticket barrier. Yuzawaya also issues its own store card which entitles you to special discounts.

Uematsu located in Shibuya (see map), does not have its own store card, but it does give discounts to students. You have to tell the clerk you are a student. I have found Sekaido prices to be the best. However some people find Uematsu more convenient.