It’s exciting to find a coffee cup or accessory that’s just your style, isn’t it?
There’s a small general goods shop in the Bikan Historical Area where you can discover that kind of excitement.
The shop carries a variety of works in wood, ceramics, glass, and other materials, all made by artists from Okayama Prefecture.
Miuchi Zakkaten is a shop filled with things that delight its owner.
Here, we’ll introduce the charms of Miuchi Zakkaten, where delightful goods share their appeal!
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in September 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Miuchi Zakkaten
Miuchi Zakkaten is a small general goods shop on the south side of the Bikan Historical Area.
The building is in a district designated for the preservation of traditional buildings, where historic streetscapes are protected.
Part of a barbershop once run by the owner’s father was renovated, and the shop opened on November 17, 2015.
There were only a few works when the shop first opened. By 2020, five years later, the number of artists had grown, and their works filled the shop.
The shelves display masking tape and tenugui towels from Kurashiki Isho, as well as glass and woodwork.
▼ The shelf displaying masking tape and tenugui towels is made from a chest of drawers that had been stored away at the owner’s family home.
▼ The sign in front of the shop was designed by the owner’s daughter.
Along with the works, be sure to check out the owner’s cute, hand-written POP displays, which add a warm touch.
Miuchi Zakkaten always carries works by more than 20 artists.
Here are some of the items that caught the writer’s eye at Miuchi Zakkaten.
Delightful goods that make your heart flutter
Tableware with a gentle warmth: Works by Arika Hara
These are works by Arika Hara, whom the writer interviewed. She has a studio in Mabi.
Her work is characterized by colors that evoke the warmth of clay and tableware featuring animal motifs.
The animals’ gentle expressions are sure to warm your heart.
From delicate insect ornaments to everyday glasses: Works by Hiroaki Hirai
The glass dragonflies and lizards displayed on the shelf by the window are works by Hiroaki Hirai.
Tourists walking through town stopped to take a close look at the delicate glass ornaments.
The owner recommends the “Starry Sky Glass.” Be sure to pick it up and look inside.
When you look through the remarkably lightweight glass, it’s filled with a beauty reminiscent of a starry sky.
Glasses and accessories made with heat-resistant glass: Works by Yusuke Yoshida
These glass accessories, which look as if they hold a galaxy inside, are works by Yusuke Yoshida.
Look at them from above or hold them up to the light, and they reveal a different expression.
Can you see the swirling pattern inside the glass bead? How intricate!
On the day of the interview, we had the chance to meet Yusuke Yoshida when he came to deliver his work.
It’s lovely to happen upon an artist at the shop, too.
Three-dimensional embroidered accessories made thread by thread: Hana to Shishu CoRte
The accessories by “Hana to Shishu CoRte” are charming for their three-dimensional flowers made from thread.
They include earrings and brooches featuring pale purple lavender and orange mimosa.
Many come in subdued colors, so they’re sure to appeal to people of all ages.
I was drawn to a delicate miniature viola brooch and bought it.
Adding one as an accent to a simple mask is sure to lift your spirits.
“Each one has a different color and shape, so I hope you’ll pick them up and choose one for yourself,” says shop owner Izumi Yamashita.
We asked her how she came to open a small variety shop in the Bikan Historical Area and how she first encountered these goods.
Miuchi Zakkaten details
| Name | Miuchi Zakkaten |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-12 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086ｰ422-9105 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Weekdays: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Weekends: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Wednesday, irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | Miuchi Zakkaten Facebook |
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