Interview with Aoi Yurika
We spoke with Aoi Yurika, a young employee working at Usagiya Kurashiki Store, operated by KURABUN Co., Ltd.
The joy of working at a stationery specialty store that brings excitement
What moments in her current job make Aoi feel excited?
Aoi (surname omitted)
What excites me most is bringing newly stocked products to our customers.
When I come across a new product unlike anything I've seen before while sourcing items at trade shows and elsewhere, I get excited myself, and I create displays so I can share that feeling with our customers.
I get butterflies thinking, “How will this stationery become part of our customers’ lives in the future?”
Are there times when you feel, “I really am working at a stationery store rooted in the local community”?
Aoi
Yes, there are.
I think carrying stationery made in collaboration with local businesses is something unique to Usagiya, which is so closely connected to the community.
Also, many local students come in to shop for school festivals, so when the store fills with students wearing school-festival T-shirts or their uniforms, it reminds me, “Ah, this really is a stationery store rooted in the community.”
Usagiya has a wide selection, so I think we can also offer the fun of choosing things together.
I imagine many customers visit Usagiya with their families. Are there moments that warm your heart?
Aoi
From December through early spring, many families visit to get ready for the new school year. Seeing little children choose their own pencil cases, notebooks, and other items warms my heart.
And during the New Year season, some children line up at the register with otoshidama envelopes (small gift-money envelopes), and I find myself smiling, thinking, “How lovely that you got New Year’s money.”
Recently, there’s also been obondama—money given during the Obon season—in addition to otoshidama. It wasn’t a custom when I was a child, so I feel a little envious, but seeing the children so happy always makes me smile.
Training programs for gaining extensive stationery knowledge
What kind of training did you receive after joining the company?
Aoi
For the first month after joining, I received training at the head office, where I learned basic etiquette, workplace rules, and other fundamentals.
After the head-office training, I was provisionally assigned to a store for about two months.
There are many things about store work that you can’t understand until you try them, so you learn by repeating tasks in practice. First, senior colleagues taught me how to order products and arrange special orders, and I carried out my duties while they watched over me nearby.
Employees working at Usagiya also had many opportunities to attend product training at the head office. For example, even school backpacks have detailed features that vary by manufacturer. There was an endless amount to learn.
There must be a huge amount to learn just to become familiar with all the products in the store.
Aoi
After joining, there was so much to learn that I really struggled.
Of course, I had to learn about the products themselves, but I also had to learn where they were displayed, as well as store operations such as ordering and responding to inquiries. I remember that during my first year, I was just trying my best to keep up.
Everyday stationery was relatively easy to learn, but I also had to start from scratch with products I wasn’t very familiar with, such as art supplies.
How did you get through it?
Aoi
I worked with the colleagues who had been provisionally assigned to the same store and held study sessions to share what we had learned with each other.
To avoid situations where “I know this, but the other person doesn’t,” we compared notes and exchanged advice we’d received from senior colleagues. I think I got through it because I had that colleague by my side. They were truly a reassuring presence.
Usagiya has a strong support network
It sounds like you were comrades in arms. Are you still close with your colleagues from the same year?
Aoi
We’re still close, and sometimes we go out to eat together on our days off. Our group in particular seems to have a strong bond, and other people have even said to us, “You’re all so close.”
Not just my colleagues from the same year, but also senior colleagues, managers, and part-time staff are all kind. I really feel that I’m fortunate to work with such wonderful people.
What is the atmosphere like at a workplace where you’re fortunate to work with such wonderful people?
Aoi
It’s a well-balanced workplace—sometimes lively, with laughter, but also a place where we can properly focus on work.
When we’re busy, everyone gets on with their own work, but the break room is generally lively, and we chat about all sorts of things while eating.
Part-time staff with children sometimes get caught up talking about parenting. It’s an atmosphere where it’s easy to talk about personal concerns and private matters, too.
Usagiya celebrates its 30th anniversary. Giving back to the community.
Usagiya will celebrate 30 years since opening in November 2025. Are there any special plans to mark the occasion?
Aoi
For three days, from Saturday, November 1, to Monday, November 3 (a public holiday), the “Usagiya 30th Birthday Fair” will be held at all Usagiya stores. With “Rediscovering the charms of our hometown” as its theme, we’ll be waiting for you with new stationery created in collaboration with local businesses. We hope you’ll come visit.
Also, from Thursday, November 27, through Sunday, November 30, a special event called “Stationery ♡ Cans—A space where the excitement of falling in love with stationery and cans never ends” will be held to celebrate Usagiya’s 30th anniversary. The venue is AEON MALL Okayama.
We’re planning to create a space that stationery fans will absolutely love, so if you’re interested, we’d be delighted if you checked out our Instagram.
Do you have a message for young people of your generation?
Aoi
Usagiya will celebrate 30 years since opening in November 2025. It was founded in Kurashiki 30 years ago, and since then, we’ve been supported by many people, especially members of the local community.
I still have a lot to learn, but I want to keep bringing people exciting stationery, with a sense of gratitude toward everyone who has supported Usagiya over the years.
I also want to support the achievements of my peers. The more people of our generation who work hard, even in different industries and professions, the more reassuring and inspiring it is. Let’s keep moving forward and doing our best together!
From the Writer
I only knew about the visible parts of Usagiya’s work, such as operating the register and serving customers.
After hearing Aoi Yurika’s story, I learned that behind every exciting shopping experience is a store team’s dedication and passion. The next time I visit Usagiya, I’d like to pay closer attention to the displays as I shop.
During the interview, Aoi Yurika used the words “giving back,” and I realized that Usagiya continues to be a store rooted in the community precisely because it is staffed by people who work with gratitude in their hearts.
Be sure to visit the event celebrating Usagiya’s 30th anniversary, too. I’m sure you’ll have an exciting time, like going on a treasure hunt.
Let’s continue to follow Aoi Yurika’s work as she brings people together with wonderful stationery.
Kurashiki Work Stories Woven by Young People: Back Issues
KURABUN Co., Ltd. Information
| 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 work Operation and management of large stationery specialty stores |
| Representative | Izawa Masanobu |
| Year Established | 1961 |
| Address | 2nd Floor, FJK Kurashiki Station Front Building, 2-9-10 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-9595 |
| Website | KURABUN Co., Ltd. Website |
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