Do you like flowers?
Whether they’re wildflowers, a single flower in a vase, or a bouquet, just looking at flowers can soothe the soul.
Whether their colors are vivid or muted like dried flowers, flowers have the power to brighten both our hearts and our spaces.
Miyahara Flower Shop (Miyahara Seikaten), which sells flowers like these, is located in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
Through this interview, I learned more about the appeal of flowers, and also that the products displayed in the shop change along with changes in society.
Here, we introduce the fascinating world of flowers.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in December 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
The history of Miyahara Flower Shop
Miyahara Flower Shop was founded in Mizushima in 1968.
The founder, who lived through Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, thought, “A time will come when people seek spiritual richness.” They learned flower arranging from scratch and apparently delivered flowers as a couple, pushing a handcart.
Alongside selling flowers, they also held flower-arranging classes.
However, they thought that selling flowers to flower-arranging teachers while also running their own classes would eventually create a conflict of interest, so they scaled back the teaching side.
Today, the shop is run by its second-generation president, Kazuo Miyahara.
In addition to flowers for ikebana, the shop handles a wide range of products, including cut flowers, potted plants, dried flowers, and herbariums.
It also offers a variety of services, from creating and selling flower-related novelty goods to decorating and arranging flowers at venues.
The classes have evolved from ikebana and now focus on herbariums and flower arranging.
In 2019, because the name “Miyahara Flower Shop” could give the impression that it only handled fresh flowers, the shop retained it as its trade name while changing the company name to MIYAHARA Co., Ltd.
Now, let’s take a look at some of Miyahara Flower Shop’s products and services.
A flower shop with a wide range of products
The shop has added products in response to customer demand, and now handles a wide variety.
Potted plants
When you think of a flower shop, don’t potted plants and cut flowers come to mind?
The potted plants are placed in a sunny spot.
▼ Outdoor potted plants. Since the interview took place in October, there were Halloween items.
Indoors, green potted plants are placed in a bright spot.
Just having one green plant at home seems like it would be soothing.
There are also magnificent Phalaenopsis orchids.
They’re often seen as gifts for store openings.
Apparently, customers travel from far away to seek out Miyahara Flower Shop’s Phalaenopsis orchids.
Cut flowers
Cut flowers need to be kept at a low temperature, so they are stored in a refrigerator.
Using a refrigerator apparently helps flowers last longer and keeps the water from spoiling as quickly.
▼ Chrysanthemums for offerings, used at funerals and other occasions.
▼ Colorful Western flowers. Aren’t these colorful blooms what you picture when you think of a flower shop?
Dried flowers
In recent years, dried flowers have become popular among young people.
Apparently, more people are using dried flowers as hair ornaments for coming-of-age ceremonies and in wedding bouquets.
They are also increasingly displayed as products in variety shops or casually used as decorations in cafes.
In response to growing demand, Miyahara Flower Shop apparently bought a dedicated drying room.
Flowers whose petals have opened and that once would have been thrown away can now be given new added value by turning them into dried flowers.
This also seems to be an effort to make good use of resources.
Herbariums & soap flowers
There are also brightly colored herbariums.
Preserved or dried flowers are placed in glass containers and immersed in special oil, so there’s no need to worry about them wilting.
They make a lovely item for yourself, as well as a welcome gift.
Apparently, many hospitals do not allow fresh flowers to be brought in these days, but preserved flowers are fine.
▼ There were also some containing sweet peas grown in Funao, Kurashiki City.
Like herbariums, there are other flowers that never wilt.
Soap flowers are artificial flowers made from soap.
They look just like fresh flowers, but since they’re made of soap, there’s no need to worry about them wilting.
Offering Flower-Related Services
Miyahara Flower Shop offers more than just flowers for sale; it also provides a range of flower-related services.
Here are some of those services.
Classes
The shop holds classes in herbariums and flower arranging.
The classes are held on the second floor of the building.
It must be fun to create a one-of-a-kind original piece.
There’s something special about making something yourself, isn’t there?
▼ Herbarium materials
Displaying your creation at home or giving it as a gift is sure to warm your heart.
Working with flowers in such a variety of shapes and colors must help refine your sense of style, too.
Preserving Flowers as Keepsakes
After purchasing a dedicated drying room, the shop was able to offer services for making dried flowers as well.
Customers can bring in flowers they want to preserve as keepsakes and have them processed.
They are dried in a short time, which apparently helps them retain their beautiful shape.
Flowers can also be processed using a technique called Eternal Flower.
The colors have a more vintage feel than fresh flowers, but the finished result looks almost alive.
Thanks to the special processing, even their smooth texture is preserved.
Perhaps you could describe them as looking somewhere between dried and preserved flowers.
Also Offering Printing, Design, and Promotional Merchandise
Unusually for a flower shop, it also runs printing and design businesses.
They say that, in terms of “conveying your feelings to someone,” it’s just like flowers.
They print paper materials such as flyers, posters, and business cards, as well as fabric items such as banners and tapestries.
They also make original products for businesses.
One example is a promotional ballpoint pen containing a herbarium.
You’d be happy to receive such a cute ballpoint pen, wouldn’t you?
They apparently make a variety of other promotional items, too.
Miyahara Flower Shop offers a wide range of flowers, plants, and services.
We spoke with Miyahara Akemi and Miyahara Katsunori.
Miyahara Flower Shop Information
| Name | Miyahara Flower Shop |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-7-22 Kameshima, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-447-1187 |
| Parking | Available |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (until 12:30 p.m. on Sundays) |
| Closed | Irregular holidays Usually closed on the first Sunday of the month |
| Payment methods |
|
| Website | MIYAHARA |
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