Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum - A commercial facility where you can find high-quality items that convey the rich lifestyle of Kurashiki.

Interview with Michiko Namba from Kurashiki Editorial Department

I feel that the flow of people in Kurashiki has changed since Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum was established. Do you feel any changes while working at Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum?

Namba (honorifics omitted)

In the past, tourism often involved "coming by large bus, seeing only the Bikan Historical Area, and turning back," but now there are more people who "head from the Bikan Historical Area to the main street and then to the shopping district."

I think it is helping with the circulation.
Additionally, new shops have been increasing around the area.

What kind of customers often visit Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum?

Namba

There are many female family groups and women visiting together.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many visitors came from China and Taiwan.
Half of the customers are locals who return as repeat visitors and bring friends from outside the prefecture.

It is labeled as a "Lifestyle Design Market," but what is the concept behind it?

Namba

While Kurashiki is preserving the townscape of the Bikan Historical Area, especially in this Main Street and Honmachi Street, there are many people who value their lifestyle.

The people of the town live in a way that allows them to use quality items for a long time and pass them on to the next generation, and I wanted to introduce that, which was the initial concept.

At shop Miyake Store, when we first opened, we noticed that the Nordic countries, which have many white nights, place great importance on home life, which is something that resonates with Kurashiki, so we offered products from both Nordic countries and Kurashiki.

Currently, to clarify the concept, we have carefully selected Nordic products and primarily handle products from Kurashiki and Okayama Prefecture.

We offer items like Kurashiki Notting and Bichu Washi, which may be familiar but are not widely known, yet are made with care and are of high quality, and we believe they must be preserved.

If everyone buys these items, it will help increase the number of creators and allow these professions to continue for a long time.
We hope to assist in preserving them for the future, even if just a little.

For the decor, we want to use as many Kurashiki products as possible, using TEORI items in the café and tables from Kurashiki FINT.

We hope that by using them, people will understand their value.

There is a sense of unity among the shops inside; did you invite all the shops yourself?

Namba

Yes, that's right.

We also promote as "Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum" on the website and hold anniversary events to unify the whole.

The shops are not frequently entering and exiting; instead, we are creating a long-term collaborative environment.

I hope that shops that have been creating good products independently will be recognized by various customers by joining Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum and that their fan base will grow.

You are planning and implementing various events; could you tell us about your commitment to the events?

Namba

The events organized by the Kurashiki Editorial Department introduce companies related to Kurashiki and things we want to preserve and support.

I want to promote local companies, artisans, and welfare facilities that are making things using local materials, and I hope more people will get to know them.

Are there any events that particularly left an impression on you?

Namba

Factory tours with customers were especially fun.

We visited TEORI, Ishida Hat Manufacturing, Kurashiki Canvas, and companies producing cotton wadding, as well as denim sewing factories.

What is your favorite view, Namba?

Namba

The summer evening beer garden on the observation terrace is the best.

The place that has become the observation terrace used to be covered with a roof when it was a pharmacy.
We removed the roof to allow a view of the Bikan Historical Area.

I also like the view from the opposite side of the window on the third floor, where you can see greenery up close.
There are not many places where you can see the mountains so closely at eye level.

Is there anything you would like to convey to those visiting Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum?

Namba

I would love for everyone to visit all the shops.
I hope you can also enjoy the view from the third floor.

Let's find good things at Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum

I feel that products that can be loved for a long time and comfortable items enrich our lives.

And I believe that the presence of sincere "makers" and "sellers" is essential for the richness of our lives.

Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum is surely a place where you can encounter passionate products.

Please visit to find your favorites.

And I would be happy if you could relax while looking at the city of Kurashiki from the observation terrace.

Data on Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum

Name	Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum
Address	2-23-10 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact	086-423-6010
Parking	None
Business Hours	Varies by store
Regular Holidays	Varies by store
Payment Methods	Varies by store
Website	Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum | Kurashiki Lifestyle Design Market

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