STORE VISIT: SAKURA FOUNTAIN PEN GALLERY

If one thing, I think it's safe to say that there's no shortage of fantastic pen stores in Belgium and the Netherlands: La Couronne Du Comte, Penworld, Appelboom, P.W.Akkerman,... enough places to get your pen-related kicks!

However, there's one store very close to where I live (dangerously close!) where I've spent countless hours in the past three years: Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery (Diest, Belgium)! SFPG (in short) is not just any pen store - in fact I think calling it a pen store would be doing it a disservice. It's a boutique, an art gallery even, and a beautiful one at that! 

Sakura isn't just a store you walk into to buy a Lamy, Sailor or even a Montblanc. Well, you can of course (many of the 'traditional' brands are also represented), but the real focus of SFPG are luxury handmade pens: Japanese Urushi, Maki-e and Russian laquer art. Sakura's extensive and extremely varied collection is part of what makes this such a great store, and I think it sets itself apart from most other stores. Literally, you can walk in and buy a bottle of ink or a 20$ Pilot Metropolitan, but you can just as easily - if your wallet allows it - leave with a high-end exclusive handpainted Phoenix or Maki-e Namiki! 

The pricetags of some of these pens might scare you away, understandably so. The first time I went there I was almost afraid to go in. Don't let it keep you away though, because inside you're welcomed by Catherine - owner of the store. Catherine runs Sakura (both on- and offline) single-handedly, but she's always open for a friendly chat. 

One Catherine's strong suits - and the reason why her store is so dangerous - is how she's not your typical salesperson. She DOESN'T force you into buying a pen. Instead, she'll leave you peruse the offerings, she'll offer you to sit down and have something to drink, and if you want you can literally talk with her for hours without even looking at a single pen. Instead, she lets the pens speak for themselves in endless shelves and display cabinets all across the shop. While that may sound counterintuitive, my wallet can certainly testify that it's effective!

Besides pens, Catherine's background in Fine Arts shows through in various other products that you can find at her store: from artwork and postcards created by local artists, to supplies for creative journaling, calligraphy and InkArt,... there's plenty to peruse.

Anyway, enough rambling. Take a look for yourself: 

Phoenix laquer art... Not my cup of tea, but impressive craftsmanship nonetheless!

Nakaya for days!

 

A couple Danitrio pens!

 

Incredible Danitrio Genkai's - Massive pens!

ASC! These are all gone since, unfortunately :(

Wahl-Eversharp Decoband! This one is on my wishlist!

More 'traditional' brands, like Pelikan, Lamy, Pilot, Montblanc,... are of course also well-represented!

 

Have you ever seen a WALL OF INK?! Sakura has an extensive collection of inks, including a lot of hard-to-find brands!

No shortage of paper either!

'Consignment' pens!

Through connections with various collectors, Sakura also offers a great selection of 'consigned' second hand pens. Mostly collector-grade pieces that have never been used, and often at great prices! You can bring in your own pens if you want to save up for some maki-E goodness!

The combination of exquisite products, all thoughtfully curated in the classy setting of a historic listed building, a friendly shop owner... Sakura Fountain Pen gallery should definitely be on your shortlist when you happen to be nearby! 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored/affiliated post. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own, I was not asked, nor reimbursed to write this post.