very unfriendly staff- interesting how they sell asian/japanese goods (at a whack price point btw) and only greeted *certain* customers that walked in - and my partner and i definitely don't fall into that group... it was quite hard to look at anything when you felt like you were being watched but at the same time not even acknowledged as a customer. i would suggest going to tokyo central or small businesses in little tokyo/torrance that are more deserving and most of all, FRIENDLY. for the store managers, i suggest teaching the staff a few manners like hi and hello! i hardly ever leave a yelp review for a store, but it truly was such a negative experience read more

They have some really amazing gifts and home goods in this store, even if it is a bit bougie and overpriced.

Beautiful designs and layout of the store. Wonderful for gifts, design, linens, glassware, bags and clothing.

I purchased gifts and waiting at cashier to wrap my purchase. There's this lady next to me asking cashier what it is and the cashier handed what I purchased to the lady and the lady grab it of course, and put it on her nose and mouth and smelled it. I told the cashier that's already mine why you do that without my permission. You can just show where she can find it in the store instead of hand it to her. I refuse to purchase it. It is etiquette and manner at the store and the customer to not do that to someone else's already. That's very upsetting. read more

Excellent service and marvelous products ... have shopped here for years never disappointed

Let me start by saying that this store carries beautiful merchandise. I live only eight miles from Tortoise, but because of my work schedule, I'm rarely able to visit in person. I ordered a Valentine's Day gift more than a week before the holiday, yet two days before Valentine's Day it still hadn't arrived. Although the package was only traveling a few miles, something went wrong in shipping. I don't blame Tortoise for that. Concerned that it wouldn't arrive in time, I called and asked if they would hold the same item for 24 hours in case UPS failed to deliver it. I was prepared to leave work, drive across town, and pick it up myself if necessary. Initially, they declined to hold the item. In other words, I was willing to lose two hours of work and make the trip without any assurance the item would still be available when I arrived. Later that day, they called back and agreed to hold one, but told me it wouldn't be necessary because UPS had confirmed delivery was scheduled for 2/13. Unfortunately, the package did not arrive. When I contacted UPS the evening of 2/13, I was told the package was lost and would not arrive before Valentine's Day. I was able to find another gift and promptly emailed Tortoise to cancel the order. I was then informed that they would only process a refund once the item was returned to their shop--meaning I am responsible for payment on an item I never received until they resolve the issue with UPS. There's no clear timeline for how long that might take. As a store owner myself, I view this differently. Had I been in their position, I would have immediately held the item for the customer. And if a shipment were lost, I would refund the customer right away, even while working through the issue with the carrier. That's how you build goodwill and long-term loyalty. We have spent thousands of dollars at Tortoise over the years, and a little flexibility in this situation would have ensured we continued to do so. Unfortunately, this experience--and what feels like a short-sighted policy--means we will likely take our business elsewhere going forward. Here's hoping I get that money back at some point. read more

One of Los Angeles unique spots. Beautiful Japanese housewares, objects and art and gifts. As good as it gets. read more

really off-putting atmosphere here, and unfriendly staff. my other friends have told me they've had weird experiences here being ignored but i thought surely it must have been a one-off thing and maybe the store was busy when they had visited? was sad to confirm that i've been ignored numerous times here upon entering the store or while looking at items with an employee standing right in front of me, while others received wildly different treatment. i feel like im intruding on some exclusive gathering of people with the way sales associates ignored me and warmly interacted with others. who would've thought that a homey & cozy store could be staffed with such rude & cold people? was coming back to check on seasonal offerings, but no longer interested in giving this store another chance anytime soon. read more

What a hidden gem. If you love Japanese culture, this spot will certainly scratch that itch

I used to visit here when they were in the main area of Abbot Kinney, but I'm glad they moved to the space because it's much bigger and it's easier to find parking. The space still has a variety of goods from different artists, both local and International. I came here looking for some new mugs or dishes since they have a great selection of pottery artists. I think they might've been sold out of a lot because there was quite a lot of shelf space so I ended up not walking away with any new ceramics but I did buy a watch and specialized clippers. You'll definitely find something you might need or discover an artisan instrument to add to your collection. read more

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What a wonderful store! Thoughtfully and beautifully curated with the most helpful and sweetest staff. I could spend hours at a time in here. Picked up some housewarming gifts today for a newlywed here today and it was such a lovely experience. read more

Beautiful items from Japan in abundance. They specialize in pottery and home items. Many options for unique gifts for the Japan lover in your life. read more

Beautiful store & products with unique & simple aesthetics. Beautiful displays & great service.

Very cool store with lots of items from Japan and other unusual high-end items. I can't wait to go back.

I give Tortoise some credit for being a gift shop that is still open. So hard to find these days. But staff isn't friendly. And the inexpensive stuff in the front is really nothing you want.... it's always just off somehow. And the more expensive items, some of which you do want, is really, really expensive. And there's nothing in the middle. They're not a lot of laughs here. The staff are pretty grim. And don't expect to find that last minute gift you need. I don't know why I keep checking it every Christmas, only to be disappointed. read more

One of my favorite places in all of Los Angeles! Their inventory is so incredibly well curated, and there is clearly so much love and care that goes into this shop. My wife and I got our wedding rings here, a majority of our home decor and kitchenware, and even our dog (when they were having an adoption event)! Highly recommend supporting this local small business. read more

The store reminds me of Muji in Santa Monica but where everything is about 3x more expensive and, for me, about 3x less useful for my everyday life. The value of a store is completely relative to your wants as there are no themes. The products are described as artisan or authentic and include slippers, garbage can, single wine glass, and an eraser. The fact that a shop employee followed us around as if we were some homeless off the street added to my negative experience. If I want novelty without the cost then I'm off to Mitsuwa's bookstore or Muji. read more

My husband and I always wondered what "Tortoise General Store" was, so we felt the need to pop in over the weekend. What IS this place? A 7-Eleven type store, a liquor shop, a small grocery store?  Never mind the kimono I was wearing, I had no idea how appropriate it would be.... Upon entering, a curation of Japanese goods welcomed us as we perused the shelves. Clothes, pottery, watches, shoes, lights, décor and more at this trendy yet cultured store. The lady behind the counter was friendly and said it'd be no problem to take some photos, wahoo! With LA's incredibly diverse population, it's normal to walk into a store and feel like you've been transported to that country. That's what happens in Tortoise, you're transported to Japan. The store feels like a museum as well, with pottery and items on display that are so pretty you don't know if you can buy them or not, (but guess what, you CAN)!  If you dig culture, minimalist style, items for your home and love to shop locally then you must stop in Tortoise! Support Local Stores!  IG: @WestsideKat read more

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TL:DR - A well curated general store of Japanese goods and art. They have a beautiful selection of home goods that can't be found anywhere else in LA. ------------------ After WW2, Japan was an impoverished country devastated by war. To pull it's country out of ruin and to actually begin to rebuild their nation, they began to manufacture goods for overseas companies. At first Japan was terrible at making quality products, and they were considered cheap (similar to "made in china" goods today) but over time they improved upon their manufacturing and slowly flipped their reputation a complete 180. Around this same time, the Japanese government began funding various art and design programs as a way to create products that weren't reliant upon overseas companies, and would also help create a modern national identity. This would be the beginnings of the modern Japanese aesthetic that we understand today. It's a combination of a lot of different sources, primarily that of the traditional Japanese culture and ideals, but also of Nordic, German, and American design sensibilities. Personally if I had to describe the Japanese aesthetic it would be "subtle-purposeful-beauty." I know that sounds very amorphous, so if you want to see what I mean in action, then I would suggest going to Tortoise General Store. They have recently moved from their Abbot Kinney location to their new Mar Vista location and it is a nice step up. The store is now waaaaay more spacious allowing for customers to easily peruse and muse over the many home goods that they carry. From mugs, to plates, to stationary, to even the knives, the feeling I get from looking at them all is warmth. There is something so familiar and yet so new about each item. Like a beautiful pair of leather shoes, that have been aged from wear, but imagine it coming out of the box like that. Every time I pick up an item I feel like there is a lifelong story to accompany it, and it is one of heartbreak, hope, and ongoing amusement. I feel like I have begun to wax words and that this is making the review sound very pretentious; the store is not that, I'm just having a hard time explaining why this store is so captivating. I'll stop now, and you should stop by. Just go! read more

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I placed an order And it took so long and I still didn't get it after they said it was delivered and I never received it What do I have to do to get my items read more

I live a few blocks​ over from their Venice Blvd. and Wade location and Tortoise​ General Store is within walking distance. ​I love it!!! I knew about Tortoise from their Abbot Kinney location, when I lived​ down the​ street. I am so happy they are now nearby​ in my new location. Today, I bought a gift for my daughter and I love looking around the ​store to see what new items they have. It is my new go-to​ for gifts - welcome to the neighborhood. どうもありがとう Dōmo arigatō read more

If you love precious Japanese shit as much as everyone else does, Tortoise General Store is a must-stop shop when on Abbot Kinney. I first walked in when a hip friend was visiting LA from New York, and I quickly realized it was the same place my other hip friend had told me to check out if I was ever in the market for hard-to-find Japanese housewares. I've been in a few times now, though I have yet to buy anything. I can't walk past it without poking my head in. The place is absolutely lovely, a small shop divided into careful little sections, with a gallery space in back, with a lot of art for sale. The wares tend to be small, beautiful, and expensive, tiny jars and figurines and kitchen implements and the like, all high quality things you'd have to warn children not to touch. (Adults may handle with care and light trepidation.) The gallery space is beautiful, full of interesting sculptures and ceramics and wall art that would look good in any home. Tortoise isn't the most practical store on the block, but it has plenty to offer if you're looking for charming Japanese home decor, or a gift for a discerning friend. I'm sure one of these days I'll come in to window shop and decide that some ridiculous ornament must be mine. read more

One of my favorite shops in Los Angeles. If you love beautiful and often unique Japanese items for yourself, your home, or to give as gifts, then this is the place to go. The products are of excellent quality and while many are expensive it's because they are such good quality and many are handmade. I have always received great customer service when visiting the shop over the past two+ years. They've helped me find items I was looking for, find the perfect gift when I wasn't sure what to buy, and took out a variety of handmade matcha bowls from the back so I could find just the right ones. They don't pester you while browsing, but the moment you ask for help, you'll get it. Also, one of the only small boutique shops that you can ask to be notified online when a product is back in stock and regularly get those updates. read more

Cool stuff. But don't expect the warm experience you'd get in an actual store in Japan. it's the exact opposite - which makes me wonder if any of the employees or management have ever had an authentic Japanese experience. Like others on here, we too are followed around like we walked in from the street. Would be cool if that came with actual warmness or help, but I'm confident after visit #3 - that it doesn't. Other than that, well-curated stuff but it makes me want to go back to actual Japan and maybe skip this for now. read more

perfect for anyone who adores high-end but understated items from Japan. everything from perfectly balanced tableware to hinoki room spray to Comme des Garcons perfume to 14k gold jewelry to metal garden shears that look like museum pieces. it's the perfect escape from the corporate american aesthetic. the staff are lovely and unhurried. take your time to browse and admire the many treasures. read more

What a cute store! This is the sister store to the Tortoise down the road which I enjoyed browsing in immensely. There are a lot of Japanese items in here, little knick knacky things to choose from.... not cheap but definitely unique. There were a lot of things you could probably find at those dollar Japanese stores but here the price is jacked up about 300-400%, still I guess if you're in Venice, you can do that. read more

Tortoise General Store was always a must-stop for me when I lived down the street from Abbot Kinney. They've since moved to Mar Vista and now have about three times the square footage, which they've made very efficient use of. I stopped in yesterday when I was in the area for work, and the (even bigger) curation of Japanese goods was still as lovely as I remember it being in their tiny Abbot Kinney boutique. I was planning purely to window-shop, but I couldn't resist getting a blue Hasami mug and an adorable handmade pheasant figurine, made by local women in Japan (the perfect addition to my kitchen windowsill). Everyone working was so helpful and friendly as well. The woman who rang me up even unboxed the mug I would be actually getting (the one I brought to the counter was a display mug) to make sure the slight glaze variation was okay. I'm a ceramist myself and actively search for the natural variations in clay products to pick out my perfect piece. Many other boutiques have acted borderline irritated or confused when I compare handmade/clay products side by side or ask if there are more pieces in back-stock I can compare them to. Although in this case the glaze was more of a consistent texture and I didn't mind slight color variations, I thought it was such a great gesture and I appreciated it SO much. If you're looking for a beautiful, minimalist selection of Japanese home goods that supports local artists, Tortoise delivers beautifully. I'll definitely be back soon! read more

If you're going to visit just one shop in abbott kinney, or all of venice, this is the one. In the front is a store and in the back (across a backyard) is an art gallery, all exemplifying the pinnacle of japanese minimalist craftsmanship: the level of skill looks like it takes forever to acquire and the items forevermore to make, and yet look so simple in design and purpose. At the risk of sounding cliche, it is all so zen inducing... I feel like i'd be in a more peaceful state of mind if i were surrounded by such things... momentarily, then i'd be perpetually worried about breaking something: many items seem so delicate though it was explained to me they are not as delicate as they appear and are actually intended for everyday use; however for everyday items, they are quite expensive. They carry mostly tableware but also stationary, clothes, personal care products, home decoration and trinkets all in that small space. The art gallery in the back is well worth a visit though some of the art is, well, tableware as well. They also have workshops related to some of their wares, tea ceremony workshops, hand drip coffee workshops, etc. As well, they sometimes have ice cream on weekends in the backyard btw the shop and the gallery. Pricy as it is, there is something for every price range and if you look around, you can walk away with something just for you. If you're looking for a wedding gift you can actually get something that is quite nifty for a reasonable price, and I was told they do wedding registries (so you can fake a wedding to make people buy you $hit or should i say, $$$hit). I worry they will tire of my endless window licking and ask me to stop touching everything. And leave... read more

Tortoise General Store - Tree: hand twisted strands of electric wire. The sort of intricate yet stripped down minimal art and wares you will find at TGS. - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Pre-covid, everything was clean and organized. Now during the pandemic, they are still orderly, clean and helpful. You need to book an appointment online (they have strict limitations on the number of people, currently it's 2 people per hour booking) to look into the store, which I'd recommend because there are certain items (sometimes limited) scattered around that aren't available to view/purchase in their online store. read more

Incredible selection of beautiful useful well made household goods selected and/or crafted to suit the owners aesthetic---subtle but sensual. ¡Support entrepeneurship and individual vision by taking a few minutes to immerse yourself in the variety of "neutral" colors" and unexpected textures! Nothing here is "fast fashion" or kitsch--why do previous posters compare it to stores on Sawtelle that sell mass-produced disposables with brand characters and logos? Yes I love my paper lantern nightlight and the world needs Happy Cat (and some people need Hello Kitty),but ...the intention and quality here is more like visiting the artists studio or home. Even the wooden display furniture is one of a kind wonderful. read more

As Japanese as it gets. Authentically Japanese. Whether you plan on actually buying stuff or not, it's still a nice store to visit. They have a good variety of Japanese-inspired books, arts and crafts, trinkets, kitchenware, and a variety of other things to check out as you stroll down Abbot Kinney. read more

This is a great little shop that is filled with beautiful little designs from a wide assortment of every day-type items - flatware, plates, table settings, Japanese stationery, calendars, etc. - to Japanese art, art books, vases, ceramics, porcelain, jewelry and more. Everything has that Japanese minimalist, yet modern feel, with lots of wood, iron, glass, copper, and other classic materials. The folks manning the counter are always friendly and cheerful - just like the beautiful items they stock. I asked them why they call this shop is called TORTOISE, and the shopkeeper said in a lovely Japanese accent: "Live SLOW." In LA? Good advice. read more

Cute little "boutique" shop with all kinds of fun Japanese accessories! It's always a delight to see what stuff they have. But find them a bit overpriced especially if you are a constant shopper of the Japanese franchise stores, Marukai. read more

Attended Mr. Yamanaka's Coffee Workshop yesterday. He owns a coffee shop in Japan and came US to have this workshop at Tortoise. Great experience to learn how to make hand drip coffee. Purchased a special kettle for hand drip. Cost around $70. No regret. Must have item for hand drip coffee. Mr. Yamanaka was very calm gentleman and told us a lot about coffee such as how to choose bean. I hope he will come back to do another one of those. I will be attending again for sure. read more

FAVORITE LITTLE SPOT IN VENICE. I'll be honest, anywhere there is fluent Japanese spoken, I will likely rate 5 stars. This little store + gallery is one of those places I can't help but visit every weekend. I love testing the pens, looking through the notebooks and furoshiki cloth, admiring the products. The gallery in the back is incredible too. Beautiful pots, plates, cups. read more

Immensely clean-lined, modern Japanese furniture and interior flair. I'm a big sucker for a lot of the things in here, which generally err on the side of wooden or stone. It's a great way to soften an interior by bringing in some natural textures, and Japan has the market cornered on bringing a feeling of zen to any space. So make sure to pay tortoise a visit and catch your breath! My bathroom is entirely decorated with things picked up from here, or its sister location just up the street -- hinoki cedar bath accessories are a must if you're a bathing aficionado like me, the wood is naturally antibacterial and lets off a very pleasant scent when wet. read more

A ridiculously awesome "gift-shop" that will make you feel you just warped to Daikanyama, which is one of the trendiest parts of Tokyo. They've got little Japanese hand-made gadgets (wood, stone, etc) that I can't resist buying. Pricey, but definitely worth the price. If you are ever looking for the perfect gift for someone who is interested in traditional Japanese culture or architecture, this is the perfect place for you. On the other had, if you think Japanese culture is all about Anime, this is NOT the place for you! Currently, I have my eye on the Kamado-san clay pot rice cookers that they have on display. Very steep in price, but I've heard that once you start cooking rice with one of these, you can't go back to electric... This is just an example of the type of awesome stuff they have at Tortoise. read more

Meticulously curated store. can I just live here ? Super cute accessories: casio watches, eyewear, Comme Des Garcons wallets, housewares, etc. Looking for a cute gift for someone special? You can probably find it here. Tiny store, I felt like I was in Japan(and also that I might be clumsy and break something in there haha). Probably the best store on Abbot Kinney. please correct me if I'm wrong! Non-pretentious customer service at checkout, I can't wait to check this store out again next time I'm in Venice. read more

What a great place - like being beamed over, Star-Trek style, to a cool Naka-Meguro shop in Tokyo without the molecular hassle. I found Tortoise General Store on the 'net first. Then visited the shop in person. They carry interesting stuff from Japan - everything from high(er) quality plastic wrap to candles to hand-dyed indigo and other crafted objets d'art. I walked out with an mold to make a huge single ice cube (more like an orb!) for my freezer. Will be perfect to cool offer - but not dilute - my scotch. Hope to be back to Tortoise soon.... read more

Modernist, slightly pretentious prices, but gorgeous handmade gifts. I saw Alison Lohman from Matchstick Men here. We were trying on traditional Japanese bamboo slippers. They were cute. She asked me if they were comfortable, and they weren't. And i'm sure their $20 price tag was once $2 with the exchange rate on the street. But nonetheless. I spotted a celeb here. Who talked to me. And left drooling over ceramic coffee mugs. I walked out and fell a little more in love with Venice. read more