“Mimi-ya” is a select shop run by “Groovisions,” a design studio founded in Kyoto and based in Tokyo,
that curates stylish items brimming with Kyoto charm from its own unique perspective.
“Groovisions” is a design firm that creates
graphic and motion graphics for music, publishing, fashion, interior design, and the web.
They first gained attention for their stage visuals for Pizzicato Five,
and have since gone on to create characters like “chappie”—they’re always up to something interesting.
A Kyoto boutique created by such a stylish and sophisticated company.
There’s no way I could ignore it.
So, that’s why I hurried over there during my lunch break!!
It’s a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Station, tucked away down a narrow alley off Higashinotoin Street—so narrow you’ll find yourself saying, “No way!”
The way they chose this location is truly impressive.
I can’t believe it’s here of all places!!
That’s amazing. Needless to say, the car was parked at the end of an alley so narrow that only one person could pass through at a time.
It’s a typical Kyoto townhouse—or rather, more like a row house.
Even the mailbox looks like it belongs to an ordinary home. This is really cool.
The interior has been completely renovated—who would’ve thought!!
Looking at the exterior, I never would’ve guessed it had been renovated this extensively.
That contrast is really well done.
But seriously, there isn’t a single customer in sight.
I guess it really is hard to find, isn’t it…
“Chappie,” the iconic character of Groovisions.
I bet there are plenty of people who haven’t heard of Groovisions but have definitely seen this character before.
Since this character is known for its interchangeable outfits, it’s a perfect fit for a mannequin.
And what it’s wearing are original merchandise items from “mimi-ya.”
That’s right—one of the shop’s biggest draws is that it not only offers a selection of quintessentially Kyoto items but also sells its own original merchandise.
Buying Kyoto souvenirs here is a great way to get stylish mementos of the city, don’t you think?
Items like the figurine of the dog sculpture at Kyoto’s Kōzan-ji Temple (said to be the work of Unkei) are definitely tasteful.
That dog sculpture really is cute, isn’t it?
They really know how to cut things out.
Of course, there’s a wide selection of stylish, quintessentially Kyoto items.
“Oh no—I don’t know what to buy as a souvenir from Kyoto!”
“I can’t think of what to get for that stylish friend of mine!”
When you find yourself in situations like these, why not just come here first
and pick something from the selection curated by a group of highly stylish graphic designers?
I wonder if this is from Kyoto, too. I don’t really get a sense of Kyoto anymore, though…
Well, I guess there are all kinds of things.
The second floor is a space that’s a bit of a mystery. A rest area, maybe?
It looks like the kind of place where they’d hold art galleries or exhibitions.
It’s just a one- or two-minute walk from Nishiki Market, and since it’s right in the heart of downtown Kyoto,
I’d recommend it to anyone who’s gotten a little tired of sightseeing at temples and shrines.
Sansan-ya
639-11 Mototakeda-cho, Higashinotoin Takoyakushi-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
075-211-7370
Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
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