Regional Souvenir Shop "OMIYAGE JAPAN Asakusa" Marks One Month Since Opening, Focusing on Evening Demand

"OMIYAGE JAPAN Asakusa," a souvenir shop selling regional products (Asakusa 2-chome, Taito-ku), marked one month since its opening on October 5.

The shop is run by NEW FRONTIER (Asakusa 2-chome), which handles sales channel development for regional products under contract from local governments, as well as wholesale and export of regional products. The shop is on the first floor of a two-story building on a street near Asakusa Shrine, and the second floor is used as an office. The space previously housed a restaurant and had been vacant for a long time.

Focusing on Evening Demand

President Masashi Yamamoto saw demand for a shop open at night, since Nakamise closes shortly after 6 p.m. and most restaurants close around 9 p.m. The shop mainly targets families staying at nearby hotels.

Over 1,000 Regional Products

The shop handles more than 1,000 regional products, with about 340 items displayed in the store. Many products come from Shikoku, Chugoku, and Kyushu, and prices are kept down by dealing directly with every manufacturer. Along with akoya pearls from Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, it also carries products commonly bought in daily life in their regions, such as nyumen noodles and seasonings.

About 10% of the products are replaced each month, and shelf positions are changed once a week to check how sales respond. The shop also plans to set up a booth where manufacturers can test-sell products they want to try out on international visitors.

More Neighborhood Residents Visiting

Over the past month, the number of nearby residents visiting, which had not been anticipated, has also increased. The lights now staying on until 10 p.m. on a previously dimly lit street are reportedly welcomed. Yamamoto said, "Within one or two years, we want to make this a shop people visit as a destination."

Opening hours: 2 p.m.–10 p.m.