Have you ever visited a flower shop and felt breathless with emotion?
Flower Shop PEPE is a flower shop that could be considered a work of art in itself.
With dried flowers spreading across the ceiling, colorful bouquets, and uniquely shaped houseplants, everything in the store harmonizes to create a beautiful space.
The creator of Flower Shop PEPE, located in Nitta, Kurashiki City, is the owner, Fukuda Sanae.
From the skills and passion for flowers that Fukuda has cultivated throughout her life, a flower shop that resembles a work of art was born.
What experiences led Fukuda to create such a beautiful space?
We will introduce Flower Shop PEPE and the background of how this artistic space was created.
What is Flower Shop PEPE?
The building with a triangular roof that leaves an impression is Flower Shop PEPE, located in Nitta, Kurashiki City.
As you walk along the path lined with potted mimosa leading from the parking lot, you will arrive at a garden overflowing with nature.
What other surprises await you at this flower shop that welcomes you with a heart-pounding display?
Overview of Flower Shop PEPE
Flower Shop PEPE is a fresh flower retail store located in Nitta, Kurashiki City.
It is located about a 15-minute drive from the city center of Kurashiki, where the Bikan Historical Area is.
Business hours are from 10 AM to 6 PM, and it is closed on Tuesdays.
In addition to fresh flowers, they also offer houseplants and dried flowers.
Moreover, if you visit the store and convey your image for a bouquet, they will arrange it for you.
When I visited for an interview, they were carefully creating each bouquet as it coincided with the graduation season.
In addition to selling fresh flowers and bouquets, they also hold flower arrangement workshops.
If you're interested, check out the website and their social media accounts.
Features of Flower Shop PEPE
The highlights of Flower Shop PEPE are not just the products.
Even just visiting the store is enjoyable, which is the charm of Flower Shop PEPE.
In front of the store, large branches of magnolia, tosa mizuki, kuromoji, and mitsumata are arranged, and as you walk along the path to the entrance, you will feel as if you are in a forest.
And when you step inside the store, you will be amazed by the smoke trees and dried flowers that fill the ceiling.
No matter which way you look, your view is covered with flowers, and you will be overwhelmed by the colorful bouquets and wreaths.
Additionally, to make the flowers look even more attractive, vases and antique goods are also displayed.
Furthermore, as you venture deeper into the store, you will notice that the colors of the walls and ceiling change.
Near the entrance, there is a soft color display created with dried flowers, and as you go further in, it is adorned with vibrant fresh flowers.
And as you go even deeper, the refreshing green of houseplants welcomes you.
You will feel as if you are walking through a cave made of flowers in this space that spreads throughout the store.
The spatial production of Flower Shop PEPE is not limited to the store; they also accept requests for floral arrangements for cafes, beauty salons, and weddings.
Not only within Okayama Prefecture but also for restaurants outside the prefecture, they have provided floral arrangements, and there have been times when customers have noticed and asked, "Did Flower Shop PEPE handle that store?"
Owner of Flower Shop PEPE, Fukuda Sanae
The owner of Flower Shop PEPE, Fukuda Sanae, is active not only as a business owner but also as a space producer and a floral artist who performs arrangements.
In 1990, utilizing an exhibition hall built by her father, who was an architect, Flower Shop PEPE opened as a fresh flower retail store in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
Since the opening, she has been managing the shop together with her mother, but as the business prospered, the store became cramped, and they moved to the current location in Nitta, Kurashiki City.
While running the flower shop, Fukuda has also challenged herself with cooking, pottery, and flower arrangement, pursuing her interests one after another.
She then stepped into the world of table coordination.
There, she met a respected teacher and honed her sense of space coordination and color in the world of table coordination.
In 2015, at the Tokyo Dome City, she won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, the grand prize at the table coordination competition, "23rd Tableware Award - Gentle Dining Space Contest."
Not only does Fukuda have a brilliant career and a sense of coordination that creates breathtaking spaces, but she is also a down-to-earth person with a charming natural smile.
I asked Fukuda how she became able to create flowers and spaces that captivate people.
Through this interview, I will introduce Fukuda's charm.
Interview with the owner of Flower Shop PEPE, Fukuda Sanae
What prompted you to start a flower shop?
Fukuda (no honorifics)
Actually, it was my mother who started the flower shop, not me.
When I graduated from high school at the age of 18, the gardening boom was in full swing.
With the trend of the times, my mother, who had always dreamed of owning a flower shop, started one using the exhibition hall run by my father, who was an architect.
At that time, my dream was to become a bride, so I had no interest in flowers, but I began to get involved in managing the flower shop with my mother.
In fact, I never intended to continue the flower shop for long; I started it as a temporary measure.
It's hard to imagine the current Fukuda, but what kind of changes have occurred?
Fukuda
My mother not only holds a qualification in Ikebana but is also well-versed in embroidery, possessing a shelf of fine embroidery threads like those found in a craft store.
When we started the flower shop, neither of us had any experience in management, but in terms of color sense cultivated through Ikebana and embroidery, my mother was certainly more knowledgeable, and she had confidence in that.
As we continued to manage the flower shop together, I, who am competitive, began to feel a sense of frustration towards my mother's confidence.
When I moved to the current store at the age of 25, I had responsibilities as an employee, and I became interested in management and flowers, gradually realizing that the flower shop I envisioned and the one my mother envisioned were different.
My mother believes that strictness is necessary to acquire skills.
On the other hand, I envisioned a more French-style flower shop and idealized a work environment where employees could work together happily and enjoyably.
Since we had differing opinions on both flowers and management, we naturally clashed.
Amidst that, with feelings of frustration, I increased my knowledge of flowers and enhanced my sensitivity.
The Reason for My Sensitivity to Color and Space
How was your sensitivity to space and color cultivated?
Fukuda
When I was 25, I started taking a course called "Kurashiki Table & Life Creation" hosted by Noriko Hara, a table coordinator.
This course was the catalyst that enhanced my sense of color.
I learned about color balance, color combinations, and colors that give a luxurious impression through Ms. Hara.
After that, I studied table coordination under Ms. Hara for about 10 years and began working on space production projects with her.
Together with Ms. Hara and three other friends, we formed a team called "Bals" and started working on decorations for party venues such as weddings.
What does the word "Bals" mean?
Fukuda
It is a destructive spell that appears in Hayao Miyazaki's movie "Castle in the Sky".
In the film, this spell has the tremendous power to collapse the castle floating in the sky.
We chose the team name "Bals" because we want to be a team that destroys existing things and ideas to create new ones.
We aim to propose space production that can break free from common sense and step outside the box.
Through our activities in Bals, I enhanced my sensitivity and skills in table coordination, and later began to challenge contests as well.
Table Coordination and the Mother-Daughter Relationship
What is the most memorable thing about table coordination?
Fukuda
In 2015, I received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, the grand prize at the 23rd Tableware Award - Gentle Dining Space Contest (Coordination Category) held at Tokyo Dome City.
Prominent figures such as flower artist Shingo Kariyazaki, actor Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, and Koji Ishizaka also participated, and it was a large-scale contest attended by the imperial family at the award ceremony.
The awarded piece was a Japanese-style table coordination called "O☆Banzai!!", which expressed a celebratory setting.
In the contests I had participated in until then, I had focused on creating works that reflected my individuality, but in this contest, I prioritized winning above all else.
While I was happy that my work was recognized, I actually realized something more than just joy.
That was the importance of the friends who support my daily life.
When I was absent from the flower shop for the contest, the staff who protected the store, the mentor who taught me table coordination and color sense, and the friends who took my profile photo for the contest—all of them made it possible for me to receive this glorious award, and I deeply felt the importance of my friends.
When did you start being in charge of Flower Shop PEPE?
Fukuda
Since 2014, I have been involved in the management of Flower Shop PEPE as the owner.
My mother and I had differences in our thoughts about management, and there were times when we kept our distance.
She was a strict person with a craftsman-like approach to flowers, so I often felt limited in working together.
However, after receiving an award at the table coordination contest, my mother's attitude towards me changed.
Until then, I had no memory of being praised by her, but she began to tell those around her that she was proud of me.
At that moment, I realized the most important thing.
"What I am today is thanks to my mother, who taught me about cut flowers strictly."
It was a moment when feelings of gratitude towards my mother overflowed from my heart.
After that, my mother focused on bridal work in Okayama, while I started walking my own path as the owner of Flower Shop PEPE in Kurashiki.
A Flower Shop that Produces Space
Now that you are in charge of Flower Shop PEPE, have you been able to create the flower shop you wanted?
Fukuda
Having been recognized by my mother and evaluated by the world, I have since done whatever I thought was right regarding both cut flowers and management.
When I worked with my mother, I felt that I shouldn't do things my way regarding cut flowers.
Cut flowers were my mother's domain, and perhaps I lacked confidence.
At that time, the precise German style of arrangement was mainstream.
The certification that my mother held from the Japan Flower Design Association was also influenced by the German style, but I liked a lighter and more dynamic approach because I love nature.
When I went to study at a French-style flower shop in Kobe, I discovered that I could arrange flowers freely.
After that, I began to handle cut flowers without hesitation.
Moreover, I valued not just selling flowers individually but also producing the space where those flowers would be placed.
Whether on a table or in daily life, the expression of flowers comes to life through space coordination.
If I do not understand what kind of place the flowers will be in, I cannot sell the flowers that the customers desire.
Is there anything you value in your interactions with the staff?
Fukuda
In addition to my desire to interact warmly with the staff, I felt the importance of the people who support my daily life during the contest.
Therefore, I am conscious of creating a comfortable environment for the staff.
For example, when a child has a fever or when someone has to take time off for caregiving, I do not want to create an environment that makes them feel guilty.
I believe that it is okay if their working hours are reduced, and I want them to be able to face family time, such as childcare or caregiving, with peace of mind.
Additionally, staff may express a desire for time to study abroad or for other educational opportunities.
In such cases, I think it is fine for them to take a long break from work.
When they grow and return to Flower Shop PEPE, they will surely be a great asset to us.
I hope they can acquire skills and find their strengths.
In Conclusion
What I felt when I first visited Flower Shop PEPE was that the store itself is a work of art.
At the entrance, branches that sprouted in early spring are placed as if to recreate a beautiful mountain landscape.
Upon stepping into the store, I felt as if I had wandered into a cave made of flowers.
Near the entrance, dried flowers and interiors in soft white and brown colors create a calm atmosphere, and as you go further in, bouquets and potted plants create a vibrant space.
The contrast between the soft-colored space and the vibrant-colored space enhances the beauty of the flowers even more.
The store itself, along with the bouquets and interiors displayed inside, all reflect Mr. Fukuda's sense of style.
Flower Shop PEPE is an artwork that embodies the sense cultivated by Mr. Fukuda throughout his life.
Please visit this flower shop that is like a work of art.
You will undoubtedly be captivated by the charm of the artwork created through space production with flowers.
Data of Flower Shop PEPE
| Name | Flower Shop PEPE |
|---|---|
| Address | 3206-6 Nitta, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-434-4001 |
| Parking | Available Number of parking spaces: 22 |
| Business Hours | Business hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Flower Shop | PEPE |
