Interview with Jochikudo staff
Could you tell us how the name “Jochikudo” came about?
Staff
Long ago, bamboo was planted in Jochikudo’s garden.
The word “do” is a unit that indicates the size of a shop building.
“Chiku” means “like” or “similar to.”
The name conveys the wish that, as a shop with bamboo planted there, it will grow straight like bamboo.
Do you have a dedicated designer?
Staff
We don’t have a dedicated designer in particular, but the Kurashiki Machiya Tape Production Committee is a group of volunteer designers.
We carry original masking tape featuring Kurashiki designs that can only be purchased here.
Free masking tape decoration experience
The free masking tape decoration experience is very popular with customers. Can both adults and children take part?
Staff
It’s very popular.
It’s a fun activity where adults and children can decorate together with masking tape.
Once you start, it can be hard to stop, but since other customers also want to try it, the experience is limited to 10 minutes.
Do you also offer an experience making button badges?
Staff
We offer a button badge-making experience, too.
The badges are about 8 cm across, and you stick masking tape onto a backing sheet and make the badge using a button badge press.
The flow of people coming to Jochikudo for masking tape
Since Kurashiki is the birthplace of masking tape, I imagine you get many customers from outside the prefecture.
Staff
As the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, we’ve been seeing more customers from outside the prefecture.
The number of international visitors is gradually recovering, too, with many customers from Asian countries and regions such as China and Taiwan.
Tourists come straight to Jochikudo looking for masking tape, then.
Staff
Even though the shop is at the very edge, almost at the end of the Bikan Historical Area, customers make a special trip all the way here.
We’re truly happy that some people come specifically to visit us.
The flow of people has changed quite a bit compared to before.
Staff recommendations for masking tape and paper goods
Do you have any masking tape recommendations?
Staff
These are tapes exclusive to this shop. When you think of Okayama, you think of Momotaro tape; we also have Machiya tape, featuring designs of buildings and various shops in the Bikan Historical Area. I recommend them.
And foil-stamped tape.
These are masking tapes with special finishes, decorated with gold and silver foil.
Tapes with special finishes, such as foil-stamped tape, are expensive, costing 280–300 yen (before tax) even for a small roll.
Masking tape has also expanded in variety, from plain designs at first, to patterned ones, and then to tapes with special finishes.
Jochikudo is known for masking tape. About how many kinds of tape do you carry?
Staff
The number goes up and down, but we have about 850 or more kinds.
New products from KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. will be arriving soon, so I think things will get lively.
Do you have any recommended goods besides masking tape?
Staff
We actually also carry exclusive letter paper.
For example, we have letter paper featuring masking tape designs such as Momotaro, as well as machiya, chicks, and folktales.
We have letter paper featuring designs used on masking tape, like this.
On letter paper, the designs look different from how they do on masking tape.
Each has its own character, which is interesting.
The future of Jochikudo
Do you have any plans for the future?
Staff
We don’t have plans to do anything big, but customers have finally started coming back.
We’d like to create new products and improve the shop.
We’d like to discuss things together and make the shop more lively.
From the Writer
Unfortunately, it was raining on the day of the interview. Moisture is the enemy of paper.
Thinking, “Of all days to be interviewing a paper goods shop,” I headed to the store.
After walking for a while, enjoying the atmosphere of the rainy Bikan Historical Area, I spotted Jochikudo.
Warm-colored lights glowed inside the shop, creating a wonderful atmosphere in the rain.
Inside, I was overwhelmed by the number of masking tapes and captivated by the neatly arranged rolls.
I could see why so many customers come to Jochikudo looking for masking tape.
“Seeing customers happily browsing the masking tape and paper goods makes me feel happy,” a staff member said.
By the time the interview ended, the shop was full of customers.
A child who had come to buy masking tape told the father who was with them, “This place is so much fun!”
I really feel the same way.
It’s fun for adults, too. I’d like to make time to come back.
Next time, I’d like to visit at a leisurely pace and find my favorite masking tape.
Jochikudo details
| Name | Jochikudo |
|---|---|
| Address | 14-5 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-2666 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. |
| Closed | Open daily |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | Kurashiki Machiya Jochikudo |
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