Masking tape is becoming a classic souvenir from the Bikan Historical Area.
Among the brands, mt by KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. boasts an overwhelming market share.
Did you know that mt is a masking tape brand that originated in Kurashiki? TANE is a specialty shop for mt masking tape.
Enjoy chatting with the owner and staff, gaze at a wall covered in masking tape, and listen closely to the music box…
“We want your time here to become a memory, too.”
Here’s a look at TANE, a shop filled with the owner’s heartfelt ideas at every turn.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in May 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A spectacular wall of masking tape! A selection of 1,000 varieties
An entire wall covered with mt masking tape.
The shelves are handmade by the owner, of course, and the selection includes around 1,000 varieties.
“Everything except the window frames is handmade,”
the owner says with a laugh, but the sheer impact makes it feel as if the masking tape is coming right at you.
There are many types of masking tape, including some that can be written on and erased like a chalkboard, and others that can be used as rulers.
The slightly retro, simple designs are said to sell well at the shop.
There are so many varieties—seasonal designs, characters, widths, and sizes—that time flies when you browse them all.
It’s also nice that there’s a wide range of prices, from a few hundred yen to several thousand yen.
“The best thing about mt is how good it feels to use. No matter how many other tapes I try, I always come back to mt because it feels so dependable.”
That’s what one of the shop’s staff members, who loves masking tape, told us.
There are masking tapes from many manufacturers, but mt has many repeat customers thanks to its adhesive strength, quality, and designs that never get old.
As an mt fan myself, I agreed enthusiastically that its comfortable, reassuring feel is part of its appeal.
Alongside the British-made Mini Cooper, which is something of a symbol of the shop, there were also unusual items such as a 120-year-old German-made music box.
TANE original mt
TANE also has a great selection of original tapes.
With such a great selection, it’s hard to decide which one to choose.
Make something with masking tape (workshop)
TANE also offers a workshop called “Make Something with Masking Tape.” The activity takes 20 minutes, and anyone, including children, can take part.
Prices include consumption tax. Information as of April 2026
- Storage box (4 types): ¥1,500
- Cutter: ¥2,800
- Picture frame: ¥1,500
- Folding fan: ¥1,700
Here’s an example of the folding-fan workshop.
First, cut the masking tape to the specified length. You’re free to choose whichever tape you like.
This cutter is also an original TANE product.
Once you’ve cut the tape, stick it onto the fan. Then just repeat the process.
Once you’ve applied the masking tape in your favorite designs, you’re done.
It’s easy to make, so it’s a great souvenir of the Bikan Historical Area.
Enjoying it ourselves and helping customers enjoy it, too: Interview with owner Hiroshi Tanegashima
Owner Tanegashima is always thinking of ways to delight customers, whether renovating the shop himself or bringing in a Mini Cooper.
We interviewed him to find out where he gets his energy.
This interview was conducted during our first visit in December 2018.
Could you tell us how you came to open this shop?
Tanegashima (surname only)
About five years ago (around 2013), lots of shops opened along Honmachi-dori, right? That changed the flow of people. That’s what made me think I wanted to bring people back over here, to the shop.
Around the same time, places like café BISCUIT opened, and it felt like we were all working together.
Why did you decide to sell masking tape?
Tanegashima
When you think of Kurashiki, masking tape or jeans come to mind.
Back when I was setting up the shop, not many people knew that mt masking tape originated in Kurashiki.
I wanted to raise awareness because mt masking tape is a Kurashiki product.
I didn’t know anything about tape myself (laughs).
Thankfully, tape sales started to rise around 2015.
The shop has a unique layout you won't find elsewhere, with large shelves and a classic car inside.
Tanegashima
This was originally the house where I was born, and it used to be a sake warehouse.
I spent three months renovating it, and I made everything myself except for the window frames. I made those shelves, too.
You made the shelves yourself, too! That's amazing. Why did you put that car there?
Tanegashima
Isn't it fun to have a car in the middle of the shop? Children and people from overseas love it, too. I wanted to make an impact.
It's a British-made Mini Cooper that I bought from the corner of a car dealership. It's unusual because it has left-hand drive (in Britain, cars have right-hand drive), so people from overseas often take pictures of it.
That classic car certainly stands out. I thought this was a car shop, too.
Tanegashima
Right? I just like doing things differently and having fun. I want our customers to enjoy themselves, too. The car, the music boxes, the workshops—they're all part of that.
Above all, I want people who come here to enjoy being here, and I keep that in mind every day.
Now, could you tell us about your plans for the future?
Tanegashima
For now, there are two years until the Tokyo Olympics (as of 2018). By then, I hope more people in Kurashiki and overseas will know that mt originated in Kurashiki.
And above all, I want people to enjoy themselves. The product is the same wherever you buy it. I want to keep focusing on how to make the shopping experience fun.
I want people to enjoy being in this shop.
Tanegashima
There are things that matter more than money, after all.
Our customers' smiles are what inspire me to make their visit enjoyable. Seeing them smile makes me happy, too, so in a way, that's why I do this.
A specialty shop for mt, “TANE,” brimming with excitement and energy
Can there be any shop more fun than this one for choosing a single roll of masking tape?
Shelves lined with masking tape from top to bottom and from right to left. And the cute Mini Cooper that has become the shop's symbol.
“TANE” was filled with the owner's desire to delight customers, even in the little things. The owner's interview, with words pouring out, left us feeling as though we'd received a great deal of energy.
We can't wait to see how masking tape develops and what TANE takes on next.
- Photography: Arteo
TANE Information
| Name | TANE |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-12 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-486-3618 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ※Last admission for experiences: 4:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Tuesday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Website | -TANE- Masking Tape “mt” Specialty Shop in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area |
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