• About
    • What is Circular Yokohama?
    • What is a Circular Economy?
    • Why we promote a circular economy in Yokohama
    • Circular Yokohama Editorial Team
  • Latest
    • News
    • Story
    • Report
    • Announcement
  • Projects
  • Event
  • Contact
  • EnglishEnglish
    • 日本語日本語
  • About
    • What is Circular Yokohama?
    • What is a Circular Economy?
    • Why we promote a circular economy in Yokohama
    • Circular Yokohama Editorial Team
  • Latest
    • News
    • Story
    • Report
    • Announcement
  • Projects
  • Event
  • Contact
  • EnglishEnglish
    • 日本語日本語

How haishop is turning Japan’s souvenir culture into a force for good

  • On 2021/12/20

Choosing a gift for someone or buying a treat for yourself from time to time is delightful. What if that shopping is sustainable or contributes to realizing a better society? Wouldn’t it be even more fulfilling? Today, we are at a point where products have diverse features that it is difficult to differentiate one washing detergent from another.

Japan’s omiyage culture as a medium for stories

However, some brands have a story behind their product, which sets them apart from others. And that story plays a vital role in our consumption habits and in improving our society today. Each story attracts different consumers, and the story often tells the brands’ effort to achieve a better society.

Omiyage, or souvenirs from Yokohama

 

Omiyage is a Japanese word for souvenirs, but omiyage isn’t just a gift that one takes home from a trip. In Japan, it’s often used to build a good relationship in various communities. The origin of Japanese omiyage culture can be traced back to the Edo Period, when ordinary people could travel. And even back then, giving omiyage was not just sending gifts, but sharing the experience with others. Now, after 150 years, omiyage still plays an essential role in our society, sharing and spreading the story behind it.

haishop, where every item has a good story behind it

The gift shop, haishop, strives to solve various social issues in Japan by selling unique “omiyage” goods at their store in Yokohama. Each omiyage has a story to tell. Anything you pick up from the store’s shelf is related to a social issue of some kind, like reducing food loss and CO2 emission, or inheriting traditional culture by transforming the products to meet modern needs.

Left to right: Hideaki Omote and Nao Wada, from Innovation Design Co. Ltd., who runs haishop

 

One such product with a story at haishop is “siinomi sweets.” There are additive-free confectionery baked at a factory managed by “siinomi-kai,” a welfare service that creates jobs and supports financial independence for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the significance of siinomi-kai is not just its economic aspect but also how it is an accepting place in society for persons with disabilities. Work keeps people connected with society, an essential factor in everyone’s life. An inclusive society provides for all, and siinomi sweets shows us an effective model to do so. haishop supports this inclusive action by selling their delightful sweets and spreading their story.

More than just shopping, but a hub of stories

The store is not only just a gift shop. It is also a cafe for people to gather and interact, and a market that supports local farmers. It aims to become a hub of spreading messages and stories that each brand or product has.

Farmers market at haishop

 

Customers who visit the store may or may not have the knowledge or particular interest in the social issue. Nevertheless, the products provide an opportunity to get exposure. The staff becomes storytellers, communicating the stories behind the products. And customers wishing to support the cause can purchase the product or share the stories with others.

The display board tells the story behind the product

 

Socially responsible

haishop carries goods manufactured in Japan because one of the store’s aims is to revitalize the Japanese economy. But it has exceptions for fairtrade products. haishop also sells colorful upcycled products assembled in developing countries, which supports job creation. It also promotes knowledge about child labor and education issues in those countries. And of course, supporting fairtrade is in line with the store’s main focus, which is to bring a change in people’s lifestyle through omiyage and to save the environment.

Having a story behind a product draws consumers in because it’s original and draws attention. Especially when we choose a gift for someone, it becomes more important because we look for something unique. More people are shifting towards a sustainable lifestyle. The messages behind products will become more meaningful, hence accelerating a sustainable and ethical economy. This shift seems ideal for the consumers, too, since pleasurable shopping can also create a better society.

[Reference] haishop
[Original post] Zenbird
[Related post] haishop cafe releases four new vegan dishes

  • Asia, Circular economy, Japan, Japan's culture, Japanese culture, Kanagawa, local business, local consumption, miyage, omiyage, SDGs, souvenir, sustainable, sustainable business, sustainable cafe, sustainable living, sustainable restaurant, Sutainability, Yokohama
The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

室井梨那(Rina Muroi)

Rina is a positivity enthusiast who loves her hometown, Yokohama, and her second home, the U.S. She finds joy in making others happy through her creativity.

Latest posts by 室井梨那(Rina Muroi) (see all)

  • [Monthly Update: November, 2022] Wrapping Up the Brilliant Year! - 2022/12/14
  • [Monthly Update: October, 2022] Being “Local Good Player” Brings Many Delightful and Exciting Opportunities - 2022/11/11
  • [Monthly Update: September, 2022] Circular Design Sprint Gives Us a Question “Does material have to be material?” - 2022/10/18

RECOMMENDED People are also reading

  • Regenerative Kelp Farming for Blue Carbon in Yokohama
    2022.06.11

    Regenerative Kelp Farming for Blue Carbon in Yokohama

  • Sustainable Vegan Ramen made with Yokohama local produce
    2021.10.06

    Sustainable Vegan Ramen made with Yokohama local produce

  • Recycling business bridge the gap between administrations and citizens: Yokohama City Resource Recycling Business Cooperative
    2020.10.02

    Recycling business bridge the gap between administrations and citizens: Yokohama City Resource Recycling Business Cooperative

  • No one will be left behind: Foodbank Yokohama brights the future in Yokohama
    2020.10.01

    No one will be left behind: Foodbank Yokohama brights the future in Yokohama

Discover the Circular Economy from Yokohama

check out ZenWaves YouTube channel

Latest Posts
  • <span class="title">Circular Yokohama, Harch inc., became a B Corporation™</span>
    Circular Yokohama, Harch inc., became a B Corporation™
  • <span class="title">Circular Yokohama participated in event “Minato Mirai Circular Weekend – Everyone, try to decarbonize!”</span>
    Circular Yokohama participated in event “Minato Mirai Circular Weekend – Everyone, try to decarbonize!”
  • <span class="title">New Project Added: Kanazawa School for Special Needs Education</span>
    New Project Added: Kanazawa School for Special Needs Education
  • <span class="title">“Yokohama Local Circular Economy Seminar Vol.2” on Feb 27th</span>
    “Yokohama Local Circular Economy Seminar Vol.2” on Feb 27th
  • <span class="title">Circular Yokohama’s capsule toy machine lets you put PET bottle caps to win local circular goods</span>
    Circular Yokohama’s capsule toy machine lets you put PET bottle caps to win local circular goods

haishop cafe releases four new vegan dishes

Previous thumb

How can we make a business more sustainable? Find out the way with haishop [Experience Report]

Next thumb
Scroll
Latest Posts
  • Circular Yokohama, Harch inc., became a B Corporation™
  • Circular Yokohama participated in event “Minato Mirai Circular Weekend – Everyone, try to decarbonize!”
  • New Project Added: Kanazawa School for Special Needs Education
  • “Yokohama Local Circular Economy Seminar Vol.2” on Feb 27th
  • Circular Yokohama’s capsule toy machine lets you put PET bottle caps to win local circular goods
About Us
  • Projects
  • Our Team
  • Disclaimer
  • Circular Procurement Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
KEEP IN TOUCH
©Copyright 2020 Harch Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Circular YokohamaはreCAPTCHAによって保護されており、Googleのプライバシーポリシーと利用規約が適用されます。