Interview with Michiko Namba, Public Relations at Kurashiki Editorial Department Co., Ltd.
This interview was conducted during our initial visit in May 2021.
Since Hayashi Genjuro Shoten opened, I feel that the flow of people in Kurashiki has changed. Have you noticed any changes while working at Hayashi Genjuro Shoten?
Namba (honorific omitted)
In the past, many tourists would “arrive on a large bus, see only the Bikan Historical Area, and head back,” but now more people go “from the Bikan Historical Area to Hon-dori and then to the shopping arcade.”
I think we help encourage people to explore the area.
Also, new shops have been opening nearby.
What kinds of people tend to visit Hayashi Genjuro Shoten?
Namba
We get a lot of women with their families and groups of women.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many visitors also came from China and Taiwan.
About half are local people, who come back as repeat customers or bring friends from outside the prefecture.
You describe it as a “lifestyle design market.” What is the concept behind it?
Namba
Kurashiki is known for preserving the streetscape of the Bikan Historical Area, and many people in particular along Hon-dori and Honmachi-dori value their way of life.
The original concept was to introduce the way people in the town live, using quality goods for a long time and passing them on to the next generation.
When shop Miyake Shoten first opened, we realized that the Nordic countries, where long winter nights are common, place great importance on life at home, something they have in common with Kurashiki. So we stocked goods from both the Nordic countries and Kurashiki.
Today, to make the concept easier to understand, we carefully select Nordic products and focus on goods from Kurashiki and Okayama Prefecture.
We carry things such as Kurashiki knotting and Bicchu washi paper—items that may be familiar but are not widely known, yet are made with care, are high quality, and deserve to be preserved.
When people buy these products, more people can take up making them, and the work can continue as a profession for a long time.
I hope we can help preserve them for the future, even in a small way.
We also try to use Kurashiki-made items for the furnishings wherever possible. For example, we use TEORI products in the cafe and tables made by Kurashiki FINT.
We hope people will come to appreciate their quality by using them.
The shops inside feel cohesive. Were they all invited by Mr. Tsuji?
Namba
That's right.
We present ourselves collectively as “Hayashi Genjuro Shoten” on our website, and hold anniversary events to bring everything together.
Rather than having shops come and go frequently, we have everyone build this place together over the long term.
We hope that shops that have been making excellent products independently will reach a wider range of customers by joining Hayashi Genjuro Shoten, and gain even more fans.
You plan and hold a variety of events. What do you focus on when organizing them?
Namba
At events organized by the Kurashiki Editorial Department, we introduce companies connected to Kurashiki and things we want to preserve and support.
We want to raise awareness of local businesses, craftspeople, and welfare facilities that make things using local materials—places and people we want more people to know about.
Are there any events that particularly stand out in your memory?
Namba
Factory tours with customers were especially fun.
We visited TEORI, Ishida Hat Works, Kurashiki Canvas, Teimen, a company that makes absorbent cotton, and a denim sewing factory.
What is your favorite view, Ms. Namba?
Namba
The beer garden at sunset in summer on the observation terrace is wonderful.
The area that is now the observation terrace used to be covered by a roof when it was a pharmacy.
We removed the roof so visitors could look out over the Bikan Historical Area.
I also like the view in the opposite direction from the third-floor window, where you can see greenery.
There aren't many places where you can see the mountains up close at eye level.
Is there anything you'd like to tell people visiting Hayashi Genjuro Shoten?
Namba
I hope you'll take the time to visit every shop.
I also hope you'll enjoy the view from the third floor.
Find quality goods at Hayashi Genjuro Shoten
I believe that products you can cherish for a long time and products that bring comfort enrich our lives.
And I think the presence of sincere “makers” and “sellers” is essential to the richness of our lives.
Hayashi Genjuro Shoten is a place where you are sure to find products made with passion.
Please stop by and find something you love.
We'd be delighted if you could also relax and enjoy the view of Kurashiki from the observation terrace.
Hayashi Genjuro Shoten Information
| Name | Hayashi Genjuro Shoten |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-23-10 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-423-6010 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Varies by shop |
| Closed | Varies by shop |
| Payment methods | Varies by shop |
| Website | Hayashi Genjuro Shoten | Kurashiki Lifestyle Design Market |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
