Interview with Aoi Yurika
We spoke with Aoi Yurika, a young employee working at Usagiya Kurashiki store of KURABUN Co., Ltd.
The joy of working at a stationery specialty store that provides "excitement"
What moments make you feel "excited" in your current job, Aoi-san?
Aoi
The most exciting moment is when I deliver newly purchased products to customers.
When I encounter new products that I have never seen before at trade shows and other purchasing events, I feel excited myself, and I create the sales floor to convey that feeling to the customers.
Imagining how this stationery will relate to the customers' lives in the future makes my heart flutter.
Do you feel that you are working at a stationery store rooted in the community?
Aoi
Yes, I do.
Handling stationery that collaborates with local businesses is something unique to Usagiya, which is closely connected to the community.
Also, many local students come to shop for cultural festival supplies, so when the store is bustling with students wearing T-shirts or uniforms for the cultural festival, I realize again, "Ah, this is a stationery store rooted in the community."
Usagiya has a rich variety of products, so I think we can also provide the fun of choosing together.
I believe many customers come to Usagiya with their families. Are there moments that make you feel heartwarming?
Aoi
From December to early spring, many families come to shop for new semester preparations. Seeing small children choosing their pencil cases and notebooks by themselves warms my heart.
Also, during the New Year season, there are children lining up at the register with their New Year's money envelopes (pocket money envelopes), which makes me smile as I think, "I'm glad you received New Year's money."
Recently, there is also a culture of giving "Obon money" instead of New Year's money. Since this was not a culture when I was a child, I feel a bit envious, but seeing the happy children makes me smile.
Training system to acquire extensive knowledge of stationery
What kind of training did you have after joining the company?
Aoi
For the first month after joining, I had training at the head office, where I learned basic manners and discipline.
After the head office training, I was temporarily assigned to the store for about two months.
There are many things that you cannot understand about store operations unless you actually do them, so I learned through repeated practice. First, I was taught by my seniors how to order products and how to handle special orders, while they watched over me as I carried out my duties.
Employees working at Usagiya have many opportunities to receive product training at the head office. For example, even with a single randoseru (Japanese school backpack), there are detailed features from each manufacturer. There were countless things to remember.
Just remembering the products handled in the store is a huge amount, isn't it?
Aoi
After joining, there was so much to remember, and it was tough.
Of course, I learned about the products themselves, but I also had to understand the layout of the sales floor, remember store operations such as ordering and responding to inquiries, and I remember that my first year was all about just trying to keep up.
Familiar stationery is still relatively easy to remember, but I also learned from scratch about stationery that I had little connection with, like art supplies.
How did you overcome that?
Aoi
I collaborated with my peers who were temporarily assigned to the same location and held study sessions to share what we learned with each other.
To avoid situations where "I know something, but the other person doesn't," we exchanged information while showing each other our notes and shared advice we received from our seniors. I believe I was able to overcome it because of that peer. They were truly a reassuring presence.
Usagiya has strong allies
It's like having comrades. Do you still have connections with your peers?
Aoi
I still get along well with my peers, and on days off, we sometimes go out to eat together. Especially in our generation, it seems we have strong connections, and others have commented, "You all get along well."
Not only my peers but also seniors, bosses, and part-time staff are all kind, and I feel that it is a workplace blessed with good people.
What is the atmosphere like in a workplace blessed with good people?
Aoi
It is a workplace with a good balance, where there are sometimes bursts of laughter, but we can also concentrate properly on our work.
When it gets busy, everyone handles their own tasks, but the break room is generally lively, and we talk about various things while eating.
Part-time staff with children sometimes get excited talking about parenting. It is an atmosphere where it is easy to casually talk about worries and personal matters.
Usagiya welcomes its 30th anniversary. We want to give back to the community.
Usagiya will celebrate its 30th anniversary in November 2025. Are there any commemorative plans?
Aoi
From November 1 (Saturday) to November 3 (Monday, public holiday), the "Usagiya 30th Birthday Fair" will be held at all Usagiya stores. With the theme of "Rediscovering Local Charm," we will prepare new stationery products in collaboration with local businesses. We look forward to your visit.
Additionally, from November 27 (Thursday) to November 30 (Sunday), we will hold a special event titled "Stationery ♡ Can - A Space Where the Excitement of Falling in Love with Stationery and Cans Never Stops" to commemorate Usagiya's 30th anniversary. This venue will be at Aeon Mall Okayama.
We plan to create a space that stationery fans will love, so if you're interested, please check our Instagram.
Please give a message to young people of the same generation.
Aoi
Usagiya will celebrate its 30th anniversary in November 2025. Born in Kurashiki, it has been supported by many people, including the local community, for 30 years.
I am still inexperienced, but I want to deliver exciting stationery with the feeling of giving back to those who have supported Usagiya so far.
I also want to support the activities of my peers. The more peers who are working hard, regardless of industry or occupation, the more reassuring and encouraging it is. Let's all work positively together!
Conclusion
I only knew about Usagiya's work in terms of visible aspects like cash register operations and customer service.
After hearing Mr. Aoi's story this time, I realized that behind the exciting shopping experience lies the dedication and passion of the staff. Next time I visit Usagiya, I want to pay attention to the sales floor while shopping.
During the interview, Mr. Aoi mentioned the word "repayment," and I felt that because people with a sense of gratitude work there, Usagiya continues to be a store rooted in the community.
Please make sure to attend the 30th anniversary event of Usagiya. I believe you will have an exciting time, like finding treasures.
Let's continue to support Mr. Aoi's efforts in creating wonderful stationery encounters.
Kurashiki Work Stories Woven by Young People Back Issues
Data of KURABUN Co., Ltd.
| Organization Name | KURABUN Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sales of Office Furniture, OA Equipment, and Office Supplies Design and Construction of Logistics Equipment, Air Conditioning Equipment, and Interior Works Management of Large Stationery Specialty Store |
| Representative Name | Iizawa Masanobu |
| Year Established | 1961 |
| Address | 2-9-10 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 2nd Floor FJK Kurashiki Ekimae Building |
| Contact | 086-422-9595 |
| Website | KURABUN Co., Ltd. Website |
