Convenience stores (hereinafter referred to as "convenience stores") are now one of the shops that can be seen not only in urban areas but also in the suburbs. They can even be said to be a "lifeline."
However, there were no convenience stores in the Bikan Historical Area, where traditional townscapes remain. Perhaps it is because it is a "Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District." The reason is unclear, but I had the impression that it might be due to "neon lights and noise."
In such a Bikan Historical Area, the convenience store "Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store" opened on May 29, 2025 (Thursday).
Since it is located within the grounds of Kurashiki Ivy Square, it is technically positioned as "next to" the Bikan Historical Area, but it is a long-awaited convenience store for both tourists and local workers.
What kind of background and thoughts led to its opening?
I went to talk to Ryoji Nakakubo from Kurashiki Ivy Square Co., Ltd., who worked hard for the opening.
What is "Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store"
"Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store" is a convenience store that opened within the grounds of Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Originally, it was a space that housed a workshop shop, which was renovated into a convenience store after seismic reinforcement.
The approximately 150 square meters of space may feel small at first glance, but the product lineup is almost the same as a typical Lawson.
Of course, it offers rice balls, bread, bento, drinks, and daily necessities, and a Loppi (multimedia terminal) is also installed.
Features of "Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store"
From a functional perspective, it is a "normal convenience store," but since it is located in the Bikan Historical Area, there are several features, including consideration for the landscape.
- The sign is a discreet wooden one, and the exterior decorations are modest
- Being a wooden building, the pillars are prominent
- It also sells souvenirs such as denim products and kibidango
- Not open 24 hours, operating from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- The "Rohmura" sign can be seen until the end of 2025
The sign is a discreet wooden one, and the exterior decorations are modest
When you think of Lawson, the "blue and white sign" comes to mind, but the sign for Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store is "wooden."
This design was the result of consideration for the landscape of the historical area.
Being a wooden building, the pillars are prominent
Although seismic reinforcement work was done, the original wooden building that housed the workshop shop is still being used.
As a result, there are pillars inside the store, giving it a different atmosphere from a typical convenience store, but this creates a unique ambiance.
It also sells souvenirs such as denim products and kibidango
As a convenience store, it naturally offers rice balls, bento, drinks, and snacks.
Additionally, the fact that it also sells souvenirs from Okayama and Kurashiki, such as denim products and kibidango can be considered a feature of its product lineup. In fact, many customers were stopping to look.
Not open 24 hours, operating from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Convenience stores are usually open 24 hours, but Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store is open from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
This is partly due to the fact that the gates of Ivy Square close at 10:00 PM, but it is also to avoid causing noise and other inconveniences to nearby residents by refraining from nighttime operations.
The "Rohmura" sign can be seen until the end of 2025
Additionally, the most prominent sign at the entrance is the one that says "Rohmura."
This is in response to the collaboration commercial being aired by KDDI Corporation and Lawson Co., Ltd., and it is said that this sign is "probably the only one in Japan."
The airing of the collaboration commercial is said to be "until the end of the 2025 fiscal year," so this sign can also be seen until the end of 2025.
Ryoji Nakakubo, who worked hard for the opening
The person who worked hard for the opening of "Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store" is Ryoji Nakakubo, the head of the Culture Division of Kurashiki Ivy Square Co., Ltd.
He is responsible for various adjustments leading up to the opening and continues to manage the overall operation while standing at the store as the person in charge after the opening.
In early June 2025, about ten days after the opening, I spoke with him about the background of the opening.
Background of the convenience store opening
Please tell us about the background leading up to the opening of the convenience store.
Nakakubo (no honorifics)
We often received inquiries from guests and tourists asking, "Where is the convenience store?", and when we guided them, they would say, "It's far away." I also heard many voices from people working in the area saying, "It's inconvenient without a convenience store."
Additionally, we used to have an employee cafeteria, but it was removed due to the construction of the large banquet hall "Ivy Emerald Hall," which was completed in 2018. Therefore, I thought that if we had a convenience store, which was strongly requested by customers, employees could also use it.
Around the same time, we felt that the area from the west gate to the courtyard square within Kurashiki Ivy Square was underutilized, and with the president's intention to redevelop and revitalize this area, discussions began regarding the opening of a convenience store.
When did you specifically start moving towards the opening?
Nakakubo
It was after entering 2024.
In fact, our company also operates the Lawson Kurashiki Central Hospital Store, so it was easy to consult with the headquarters.
When I brought up the conversation, Lawson was also eager to make it happen, so they came here to conduct various surveys and discussions about the location.
There are several convenience store chains, but was it decided from the beginning to go with "Lawson"?
Nakakubo
Not necessarily.
However, the flexibility in responding to considerations for the landscape was a key point.
Also, personally, the good selection of sweets was important to me (laughs).
Consideration for the Landscape and Townscape
What specific measures were taken regarding consideration for the landscape and townscape?
Nakakubo
Regarding the landscape, we proceeded while consulting with Kurashiki City.
The initial concern was the blue and white themed sign typical of street-level stores. They requested, "Could it be made to look like wood?"
So, when I consulted with Lawson, they responded very flexibly, and the current sign was created.
The signs installed at the west gate and elsewhere are also unique.
Additionally, regarding business hours, we decided not to operate 24 hours, but rather from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
Since the gates of Kurashiki Ivy Square close at 10:00 PM, there are circumstances that make it difficult to expect customer traffic, so we decided to limit night operations.
However, I believe there will be voices from guests saying, "The convenience store closes too early." For this reason, there is a "convenience store vending machine," and we are currently considering installing it in the accommodation building.
It has only been about 10 days since the opening (the interview was in early June 2025), but how has the response been?
Nakakubo
Fortunately, we have not received any complaints at all so far.
We have heard welcoming voices from the residents saying, "Thank you," so I truly feel glad and happy that we were able to open.
Also, there are an incredibly large number of foreign tourists. I realized that they use convenience stores as a matter of course.
Finally, please give us a message.
Above all, I hope that the residents will become "regulars."
Unlike ordinary street-level stores, there is a downside in that we do not operate late, but I would be happy if you could use it for purchasing small items.
Conclusion
I often visit the Bikan Historical Area and have thought many times, "If only there were a convenience store." At the same time, I also thought, "Considering the landscape, it would probably be impossible to build a convenience store."
That is why, when I heard that a convenience store would be built, I imagined that there must have been various struggles leading up to the opening.
After hearing Nakakubo's story, I learned a part of those struggles, and while I am of course grateful for the convenience, I feel that it should not end there.
There may be issues that arise in the future.
However, this is not just a convenience store for tourists, but also a convenience store for local residents and workers. We need to nurture it so that it becomes a convenience store that harmonizes with the Bikan Historical Area.
I hope it becomes a beloved convenience store rooted in the community.
Data for Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store
| Name | Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store |
|---|---|
| Address | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-424-2160 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM |
| Regular Holidays | None |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Lawson S Kurashiki Ivy Square Store |
