Transcript would not want to speculate how the sheer number of retail stores in Japan survive financially – however having a critical mass of consumers and an ingrained shopping culture presumably plays a significant part.
Riding a single speed city bike from the quiet back streets near Kyoto Station to the Kawaramachi district near the commercial centre – whilst dodging old grandmothers and tin sized delivery trucks – I stumbled upon a store that quite possibly could be described as Transcript’s favourite retail store in Japan. Angers is a select shop with a beautiful art deco façade that has an amazing selection of stationary, books, clothing & home wares. At Anger’s you can purchase a Wegner plank armchair while perusing a book on Kyoto’s best bike rides. The Japanese have honed this strategy of product curation, purchasing products that sit amazing well together on the shelf, whilst also forming part of a cohesive and thoroughly stylish lifestyle.
Not only did the service exhibit restraint, infinite product knowledge and attention to detail, but the staff also exemplified the sophisticated people of this most cultured city.
Here are Transcript’s favourite select shops:
www.angers.jp
www.spiral.co.jp
www.arts-science.com
This is the final issue from Transcript’s short series on Japan. Please join us again in a fortnight for a new series that explores the design & commercial companies that inspire us.
