KOBO A-B

I love this little shop and I’m so glad that Norwich has such an amazing place. The shop staff are lovely and friendly, I just wish I could buy ALLLL of their beautiful items. Prices are as expected for authentic and handmade Japanese items which have been carefully curated for the shop. Every time you go in there’s something different so it’s definitely worth going to see!

Since discovering this shop, I go back whenever I can. The couple who run it are absolutely lovely, happy to chat, and also always eager to provide more information about the things they sell. Given that they bring almost all of their ceramics, boro-work, and other supplies back from Japan, the prices are really reasonable (you'd be hard pushed to find handmade ceramics of such high quality, and such good prices anywhere else in East Anglia, let alone London), and the quality of these pieces is superb (as a potter, myself - I know!)I have also had the pleasure of attending one of their sashiko workshops which was fun, friendly, and eye-openingly informative. After the session, I started mending my clothes using sashiko stitching, and it's going really well; a new life skill from a few hours of chatting (and you get the bonus of delicious Japanese mochi sweets and matcha tea, too).I can't recommend this shop highly enough, and have recommended it to most of my friends. It is a jewel, and a real credit to the Magdalene Street shopping scene, and that of Norwich.

Kobo A-B is an exquisite shop selling such beautiful items which you simply cannot find elsewhere. The ceramics are a particular favourite of mine. Everything is perfectly curated, especially the window displays. The fabrics are rare and simply stunning. I cannot recommend the shop highly enough. Hiroko and Nigel are some of the nicest people you will meet.

This was a real find on our last visit to Norwich. It’s one of those shops where you’d like to buy everything. I understand that more or less everything here is imported from Japan, which I suppose explains why it might seem expensive, but it’s not that expensive and rather than being some stupid brand with a celebrity being paid to pretend to have designed it, what you get is an extraordinary and unique collection of objects, textiles and ceramics chosen by a very individual couple of people. I enjoyed our conversation with both of the people who run the place, and I left feeling enriched and inspired.

Kobo A-B is an oasis in the busy modern world. I am so glad that I discovered this little shop a year ago. They offer a variety of unique hand crafted everyday objects of use, such as Japanese tea cups, bowls & wooden utensils, that embody the combination of beauty & function. I am also in love with their selection of handmade clothing, everything from modern to vintage. Lastly, be sure to browse their large selection of washi tape. One of the many things that I love about this shop is that I can pick up a simple gift for under £10. The owners are always welcoming & helpful.

A real treat!If you want beautifully crafted, authentic Japanese objects for your home, then this calm and minimalist shop in Norwich is a must-see.Some of the reviews have mentioned that the shop is expensive but I think that there's a really good range of prices from inexpensive to 'there's no way I could ever afford that'. However, if you want IKEA prices, shop in IKEA... Kobo A-B offer mostly artisan-made items and not disposable stuff that will just end up in the charity shop or the tip after a few years.I've been following Kobo A-B on Instagram since they opened and just couldn't resist buying - even though they don't have an online ordering facility yet. All I did was to message the shop, and arrange payment and 6 gorgeous dipping cups were mailed out to me.I actually ordered the cups as Christmas gifts but fell in love with them and have kept them for myself to use for cups of herbal tea.I can't wait to visit the shop in real life in September - maybe I'll manage to buy a few gifts that I can bear to give away this time.

I was lucky enough to take a course here I cannot recommend it enough a unique, and beautiful experience with homemade mochi and vintage fabrics to work with. I also used to live in Japan and found the experience authentic and similar to visiting an artisan shop in Japan.It is not the kind of shop you going to find a cheap deal is an antique shop for antique fabrics. Beautiful quality and beautiful Japanese experience.

Beautiful shop. Beautiful authentic Japanese items, impeccably sourced. I had two delightful vintage Sapporo glasses delivered in no time. Well packaged and very reasonably priced for what would be virtually impossible to buy anywhere else in the UK. Unique gifts from a unique place. Thank you.

A quite unique and special store run by the nicest people. The items for sale here are unlike anything else you can find in Norwich which is exactly what you'd hope for when shopping in a small independent. Jewelry, ceramics, fabric, stationary, a variety of wonderful pieces. One of the true gems of the many independent stores in the city!

I LOVE this shop. It’s a real pleasure to visit North Norwich and Magdalen Street and experience some independent shops and creative businesses instead of the usual bland, hugely commercial shops on offer elsewhere in the City. It’s a real boost to this interesting, historic and very under rated part of Norwich.Kobo A-B is unique. The objects here are exquisite, carefully chosen, authentically sourced and fabulously displayed - they represent what is really good in the Japanese craft tradition and the owners are keen to support English craftspeople too. Are mass produced things cheap? I think the objects here represent another set of values. The atmosphere of this shop is great and the objects on sale are value for money - whatever you wish to spend.Hiroko and Nigel, the owners, are charming, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and welcoming - I am always pleased to shop here and I am always delighted with what I buy.....but then I know what I want and I can recognise we’ve got something very special here in Norwich.