I have always admired how resourceful independent businesses are in Japan to make the most of what they have. The entrepreneurial spirit is very much part of the Japanese DNA and although I have noticed an increasing impact of large corporations taking over the high street, there are still people wanting to find ways to do their best.
We found many examples in our journey... one was a shop selling local products in Kurume which I did not photograph... sorry... Kurume is known for its Kasuri textiles and the locals have found the way to produce traditional and contemporary products using this traditional cloth... should you find yourself in Kurume, that would be a great souvenir.
As i mentioned on the previous post, the principal reason for us to go to Kurume was the ramen restaurant ... however, once we arrived, we found that among the many shiny new buildings, there were some older shops and streets full of charm.
This butcher, for example, is a beautiful example of the old vintage style of a local shop. Its colour and interesting proportions combined with an informal/organic touch in the display and signage which feels so honest and unusual now that everything needs to be designed in. I also love the direct sale through the window, examples of which I used to find more often during my early visits to Japan in sweet shops, tofu shops etc... & which I rarely see these days.
Another interesting shop was the tea ceremony school on the next image, which uses elements by the entrance which emulate that welcoming path into the tea ceremony room that is the first point of contact with your guests. It was also interesting to - as well as the Sunday Market- find businesses such as the one in the image with the fire pits, recessing the façade to create an active front to connect with those passing along the covered shopping street.
As i mentioned on the previous post, the principal reason for us to go to Kurume was the ramen restaurant ... however, once we arrived, we found that among the many shiny new buildings, there were some older shops and streets full of charm.
This butcher, for example, is a beautiful example of the old vintage style of a local shop. Its colour and interesting proportions combined with an informal/organic touch in the display and signage which feels so honest and unusual now that everything needs to be designed in. I also love the direct sale through the window, examples of which I used to find more often during my early visits to Japan in sweet shops, tofu shops etc... & which I rarely see these days.
Another interesting shop was the tea ceremony school on the next image, which uses elements by the entrance which emulate that welcoming path into the tea ceremony room that is the first point of contact with your guests. It was also interesting to - as well as the Sunday Market- find businesses such as the one in the image with the fire pits, recessing the façade to create an active front to connect with those passing along the covered shopping street.
