TSUBAKI (Tokyo/Tokyo Metropolitan University)
The person who taught me: APOLOGIA/Owner Masahiro Taguchi
Expressing the vitality of flowers and plants in a variety of settings, from exhibitions to garden creation
He has known the founders, Miyahara Keishi and Yamashita Ikuko, since before he started APOLOGIA. They express the vitality of flowers and plants in a variety of settings, including the design of events for overseas fashion houses, exhibitions set in old houses, and gardens for private homes and facilities. They have also proposed a mobile biotope called "OYAMA" that allows people to experience the natural beauty of nature in urban life.
Although we do not have a physical store, we sell a limited edition set of seasonal flowers called "Seasonal Flower News" online once a month.
Eiby Heiseicho Store (Kanagawa Prefecture/Yokosuka)
The person who told me: TANTO TEMPO/Owner, Tatsuro Ueno
Cheap and good quality. A flawless supermarket.
This supermarket has a huge sales floor area of 10,000 square meters and stocks a wide variety of products, from fresh food to daily necessities and pet supplies. As they are known for their "EDLP (Everyday Low Prices)" policy, they are known for their overwhelmingly low prices and high quality. Fresh local produce and rare varieties of fresh fish are also popular, as well as the wide selection of meat and groceries.
I also buy the vegetables for my prepared foods here. There is no background music in the store, and I respect that they are a rare store that sincerely pursues the essence of a supermarket.
Yanagi-Shop (Yotsuya, Tokyo)
The person who told me: CONTOUR/Shop Owner Yuichi Murakami
You can learn about the essence of Yanagi Sori's beautiful and functional design.
I'm a fan of Sori Yanagi, a leading figure in Japanese product design, and I use Sori Yanagi tableware at home. I also found it fascinating that Yanagi was the one who attended to Charlotte Perriand, a French designer whose work we carry in our shop, when she stayed in Japan, and that they influenced each other.
I don't go there often because I already have most of the items I need, but when I do visit the store occasionally and see all the items, I am reminded once again how beautiful and inspiring they are.
Mikawaya Setagaya Store (Tokyo/ Shoin-jinja-mae)
The person who taught me: Neji no Nagai / Shop owner Kotaro Nagai
The charming storefront and delicious aromas tempted me, and I ended up buying a lot.
When I take a walk with my wife on the weekends, we pass by the shopping street in Shoin-jinja-mae. Whenever I pass by the butcher shop Mikawaya, I'm drawn to the pleasant appearance of the store and the fragrant aroma of the yakitori being grilled in the bay window, and I can't help but buy some. I always buy two of each type (lol).
I like to eat it at home in several sittings. The shop is run by a Bangladeshi owner. I've never had a deep conversation with him, but I enjoy the comfortable distance we maintain, where we can say thank you as always.
Nikutesha (Akasaka, Tokyo)
The person who told me about it: Archive Store / Manager Tatsuyuki Suzuki
Searching for new art and fashion hidden in old books from Japan and abroad
Due to the nature of my work, I am always on the lookout for books from Japan and abroad that I can use to learn about fashion history, art history, and music history. I particularly rely on the second-hand bookstore Nikitesha, which specializes in photo books, art books, and other art books.
The owner, Akira Higashikata, is the same age as me and has a deep knowledge of both art and fashion, so we always have something to talk about. I've known him since around 2018, and I'd love to visit his old-style house-like shop in Kyoto someday! His photo magazine "PROVOKE," which he reprints rare old doujinshi, is also a must-see.
*The photo shows the interior of the store before it moved.
