Interview with Yuka Kameyama, representative of Nijiiro Shoten
We interviewed Yuka Kameyama, the representative of Nijiiro Shoten.
Renewal for "Creating truly good products and selling them at a fair price"
Please tell us about the background of ending the provision of crepes, which was rare around the Bikan Historical Area, and the renewal.
Kameyama (no honorifics)
Fortunately, the crepes were very well received. In particular, many young customers came to the store. On the other hand, I felt a challenge that there were few customers who would notice or purchase the goods in the store after just using the cafe.
Nijiiro Shoten was opened primarily to sell goods made by welfare facilities located within the store. However, due to the concept of "creating truly good products and selling them at a fair price," the unit price of each item tends to be high.
Therefore, I thought it was necessary to create a store where goods with high unit prices due to their quality would reach the hands of those who would appreciate their value, which led to the renewal.
Now, customers in their 40s to 70s who seek "truly good products" have started to come, and the store is beginning to thrive as a place to showcase the quality and charm of the products, the interesting aspects of handmade items, and unique experiences such as sashiko (Japanese folk embroidery) workshops.
Additionally, the number of overseas customers is also increasing. They enjoy carefully looking at unique items that can only be purchased here and buying sweets made from fruits that are difficult to take back overseas as dried fruits.
What is the purpose of inviting guest chefs?
Kameyama
Although the permanent crepes have ended with the renewal, the kitchen remains, so we are holding pop-up events where chefs are invited to provide gourmet food.
We invite guest chefs from restaurants that have many fans but are far from Kurashiki or do not have physical stores, and the members participating in the management meetings invite chefs they genuinely want to eat from.
This is because Nijiiro Shoten is located a bit away from the central area of the Bikan Historical Area, so there are more customers who come specifically for the store's goods rather than those who casually drop by.
However, on the days when guest chefs visit, there are fans of those chefs who come in. Different customers enter the store, encounter the artists' works saying, "This is wonderful," and take them home.
I think it's a good flow.
I would be happy if guest chefs could use this opportunity to increase their sales and as a chance to open their own physical stores based on their experiences here.
A place to encounter unique items that can only be found here
Workshops are also held regularly, right?
Kameyama
All the products lined up at Nijiiro Shoten are unique items that can only be found here.
So, what about the items made in workshops? They become unique items that you made yourself, right?
We plan various workshops in the store, and when ajisaidrop is at the store, we hold sashiko workshops.
There are workshops where we prepare materials, but there are also workshops where participants bring their own sashiko projects and quietly stitch together around a large table.
The workshops are held with the hope of becoming a community for those who feel that the products in this store are wonderful.
In the workshops, participants can choose from various types of molds and select their favorite thread from several options to create covered buttons. They can complete their projects in about 30 minutes to an hour, making it easy to participate.
While commercial kits have predetermined molds and threads, ajisaidrop's workshops allow participants to choose everything themselves, making it a more unique experience that I recommend.
This workshop is popular not only among Japanese people but also among customers from overseas. Sashiko works are loved worldwide, so the threads and experiences that can only be found here seem to be valuable.
Why is it that the items made by welfare facilities are not mentioned in the store name or elsewhere?
Kameyama
The reality is that items made by people with disabilities often circulate in the market at low prices. However, at Nijiiro Shoten, we offer "truly good products," many of which are made with high-quality materials. When considering selling them at a fair price, we concluded that we should not emphasize welfare too much.
When you pick up a product in a store that sells goods and folk crafts, don't you first become interested in it based on its appearance or texture?
In our store, we also place shop cards next to the products.
If you genuinely love goods and folk crafts, you will first be interested in the product itself and should empathize with the background of what you think is good.
In the Bikan Historical Area, there are many stores that handle daily living tools.
I hope that customers will visit us as one of those stores and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the products in front of them. I would be grateful if they also became interested in the stories of the creators... That is why we intentionally avoid using the term "welfare for people with disabilities" too much in our store name and on social media.
Additionally, while the goods are made by welfare facilities, the guest chefs are not limited to that. We want to provide an opportunity for those seeking gourmet food to discover our store for the first time and become interested.
I want to cherish encounters with those who genuinely want to support welfare for people with disabilities and those who want to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the works.
Do you have any tips for choosing "unique" products?
Kameyama
All products at Nijiiro Shoten are arranged so that you can actually hold them and experience their texture and feel.
Even if they look similar, the textures can vary slightly.
Since these are tools used in daily life, I encourage you to imagine how you would use them in your own life while choosing.
I want to evolve into a place for "encounters" and "community discussions"
How do you want to utilize Nijiiro Shoten in the future?
Kameyama
First, I want it to be a place for encounters.
I want it to be a place where people can enjoy not only the works but also the stories behind the creators.
Then, I want it to become a place for community discussions.
While the charm of workshops is working quietly, it is also delightful to engage in conversation with people who share similar interests while working.
Throughout history, there have been communities around the world where people gather to work together and chat. I hope Nijiiro Shoten can become such a place.
Conclusion
Unique daily living tools and the lives of people in the Bikan Historical Area are highly compatible, and I believe that Nijiiro Shoten will continue to be an essential community for those seeking daily living tools.
See, touch, experience, and welcome.
It is a recommended store for those who want to carefully search for their favorite unique item.
Data on Nijiiro Shoten
| Name | Nijiiro Shoten |
|---|---|
| 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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| Website | Official Instagram of Nijiiro Shoten |
