In the Bikan Historical Area, there are many shops dealing with artisans' handwork, including the Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, which was the second folkcraft museum opened in Japan after the Japan Folk Art Museum.
Tourists can often be seen wandering around the Bikan Historical Area, saying, "When I come to Kurashiki, I want to take home my favorite living tools as souvenirs."
A little away from the Bikan Historical Area, in Higashimachi, there is a miscellaneous goods store called Nijiiro Shoten, which is based on the concept of handling "truly good things."
Until July 2025, it was a café that offered cute crepes, but it reopened as a miscellaneous goods store in October 2025.
Here, we introduce the appearance of the new store and the background that led to its renewal.
Nijiiro Shoten: A Place to Trace the Story of "Truly Good Things"
Nijiiro Shoten is a small miscellaneous goods store in Kurashiki where you can enjoy encounters with unique items and the charm of handwork.
Inside the store, there are carefully crafted items, and the following members (operating members) hold a monthly management meeting to operate the store together.
- ajisaidrop
Sells hand-dyed sashiko threads with a good feel and a story - Kingindo
Sells products made at welfare facilities and support schools across the country - nui factory
At the employment continuation support B-type facility "nui," they sew and sell fabric products, using high-quality materials selected from domestic production areas - Rainbow Cafe Project Cooperative
A business cooperative in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, aimed at supporting the independence of people with disabilities
For example, the product in this photo uses twill fabric made by a canvas manufacturer established in 1888. The company is now out of business, and this precious fabric can no longer be obtained.
It is dyed using natural materials such as coffee and charcoal. The selection of historically significant materials and dyeing processes, along with confident sewing quality, are assured.
Choose your favorite piece by actually holding each work
The miscellaneous goods in the store are mainly unique items.
Even if the designs are similar, each one has a different texture and color. Please take a look and choose your favorite piece.
Not only miscellaneous goods, but dried fruits are also popular.
Okayama is known as the "Kingdom of Fruits," but fruits are perishable, making them unsuitable as souvenirs for distant family members overseas.
However, dried fruits can be easily taken home. The dried fruits made by the Rainbow Cafe Project Cooperative are low in sugar, allowing you to enjoy the original taste of the fruits. It’s also nice to purchase them along with the store's cutlery.
An experience to "make your own" unique item that can only be found here
The term unique item does not only refer to things made by someone else. Things made by your own hands are also unique items.
Nijiiro Shoten also holds workshops where you can create your own unique items.
In the ajisaidrop sashiko workshop, you can choose the sashiko fabric you want to sew and select from multiple types of threads, allowing you to stitch a design that suits your taste.
All threads are hand-dyed, and some have a gradient effect, so just by sewing, you can create colorful works, which has received positive feedback.
Those who wish to participate can make a reservation through a direct message on Nijiiro Shoten's official Instagram or by directly telling the staff at the store.
During the interview, customers who love sashiko gathered, spread out fabric on the table, consulted with each other, and stitched sashiko, showing the function of a community.
Long lines formed?! Enjoy guest chef visit days
The café function ended with the cessation of crepe service until July 2025, but from October 2025, popup events featuring guest chefs began a few times a month.
For the guest chef events, the operating members selected shops that they thought they would also like to eat from those that did not have physical stores or were too far to visit from Kurashiki.
For some events, customers lined up 1 hour and 30 minutes before opening, and there were events where long lines formed even before the store opened.
On guest chef days, the miscellaneous goods in the store can still be purchased as usual, so it is also recommended to visit Nijiiro Shoten on the days when the chefs you are interested in come.
Safe for diaper changes! Universal design inside the store
The store is located in the middle of a row of three traditional townhouses in Higashimachi.
Although there are large steps in the townhouses, Nijiiro Shoten has been renovated with a barrier-free design, allowing wheelchair users and strollers to enter.
There is also a universal toilet at the back of the store, so it is safe.
Those with children can also use the diaper changing sheet.
We interviewed Yuka Kameyama from Rainbow Color Shop about the background of the renewal and her thoughts for the future.
Data of Rainbow Color Shop
| Name | Rainbow Color Shop |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-24 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Friday (1 PM - 4 PM) Saturday, Sunday, and holidays (11 AM - 4 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Check the calendar posted on the official Instagram every month |
| Payment Methods |
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| Homepage | Official Instagram of Rainbow Color Shop |
