Washin Co., Ltd., which operates under the vision of "Bringing Japanese Culture to the World" and develops traditional Japanese accessories including kanzashi (hair ornaments), Japanese umbrellas and patterned umbrellas, and chopsticks at multiple locations nationwide, has renewed four stores in Kyoto's major tourist areas, transforming them into spaces where visitors can experience Japanese culture more intuitively.
This renewal follows shared themes of "dynamic customer sightlines," "staff flow lines," and "trendy sensibility within a traditional Japanese aesthetic," reconstructing the spatial design. The aim is to create stores that are more welcoming, easier to browse, and more memorable for a wide range of customers, including international tourists.
Shared Concept: Dynamic Store Spaces
Design Conscious of Customer's "Dynamic Sightlines"
The renewal analyzes the flow of customers' gazes as they walk along the street, updating the facade composition to be memorable even while walking. By incorporating visual elements such as height, light, and movement, the stores have achieved exteriors that make people want to stop.
Staff Flow Line Optimization
The in-store flow has been organized to smoothly accommodate customer service, checkout, and product restocking. The space design enables comfortable circulation even during busy periods, accommodating the increase in inbound demand.
Trendy Sensibility Within a Traditional Japanese Aesthetic
While based on traditional design motifs, the design incorporates contemporary sensibilities. The store expression pursues not just antiquity, but "contemporary Japanese character."
Renewal Features of Each Store
Shinkyogoku 1 Yen Kimono wargo Main Store
A kimono specialty store where the price is determined by the kimono's weight (grams) at "1g = 1 yen."
This renewal updates the storefront to feature a combination of lanterns, noren curtains, andon lanterns, and neon signs. By fusing traditional Japanese elements with highly visible neon, the store has achieved a symbolic exterior where tradition and modernity intersect. It has evolved into a store with a strong presence even in the bustling Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcade.
Kyoto Gion Hokusai Graphic
Kyoto Kyonishiki Hokusai Graphic
At the two stores of the Japanese patterned umbrella brand "Hokusai Graphic," the storefront design has been renewed to center on lanterns, andon lanterns, and noren curtains. The atmospheric space created by soft lighting and the swaying of fabric presents a dignified appearance befitting the tourist destinations of Gion and Nishiki Market.
The exterior, which shows different expressions during day and night, serves as a visual icon that intuitively conveys Japanese character, creating a store design that is easy for international visitors to understand.
Kyoto Shinkyogoku Kanzashi-ya wargo
A specialty store handling kanzashi, traditional Japanese ornamental hairpins.
This renewal features a "tonbo-dama tower" installed in the center of the store. The symbolic display of colorful tonbo-dama (glass beads) arranged three-dimensionally creates dynamic visual guidance and realizes a spatial presentation that makes visitors want to take photos.
The store has evolved to balance the delicacy of traditional crafts with visual impact.
From Kyoto to the World: Communicating Japan's "Now"
Washin Co., Ltd. operates under the vision "Bringing Japanese Culture to the World," developing products rooted in Japanese culture such as kimono, Japanese patterned umbrellas, and kanzashi.
This renewal goes beyond mere renovation to redesign the tourism experience itself of "walking, seeing, and choosing." From Kyoto, a world-class tourist city, the company will continue to communicate Japanese culture more intuitively and memorably.
About 1 Yen Kimono wargo
At "1 Yen Kimono wargo," you can purchase kimono at 1g = 1 yen. The store offers a wide range from everyday komon to formal houmongi, tomesode, and furisode, and customers can measure the size and weight themselves. New items arrive three times a week, providing enjoyment no matter how many times you visit. The store also abundantly stocks kimono accessories available at uniform prices. Nagoya obi, fukuro obi, bags, and kanzashi are plentiful, allowing selection from party use to everyday wear. (※Kimono/obi/bags/kanzashi are pre-owned items)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1yenkimonowargo/
About Hokusai Graphic
"Hokusai Graphic" is an umbrella brand featuring bold designs of traditional Japanese patterns and large-scale motifs. Following the footsteps of the predecessor "Katsushika Hokusai," who was always fresh and captivated the world in any era, the brand continues to design and propose umbrellas. All created designs are incorporated into stylish long umbrellas and folding umbrellas for daily use, as well as traditional Japanese umbrellas, and are sold at stores and on the EC site.
HP: https://wargo.jp/collections/hokusai-graphic
X: https://x.com/hokusaigraphic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hokusaigraphic/
About Kanzashi-ya wargo
This is Japan's leading handmade kanzashi specialty store handling kanzashi that fuse traditional crafts with contemporary design, part of Japanese culture. The company performs all processes from planning, design, production, store creation (web design), to sales in-house through "direct sales from the manufacturer," practicing manufacturing with pride.
HP: https://wargo.jp/collections/kanzashi
