旦ナビ

「Three seasonally inspiring stores」

2019.01.01

In this edition, we welcome Mr. Takashi Hoshihara, CEO of Carioca Co. Ltd., celebrating 85 years of business this year. Carioca runs a bar, Namban1934, and a restaurant, Namban Ginen-tei on Name-dori in Ginza 5-chome.

Three seasonally inspiring stores

We went for a stroll in Ginza to complete the mission proposed by Hoshihara-san, “three stores that give us seasonal inspirations!”

G.C.PRESS

Our first stop was G.C. PRESS, where Hoshihara-san goes shopping for stationery when he is writing a letter. The store is located near the Sukiyabashi intersection.

Entering a lovely white building we found ourselves in a room with beautiful stationery displayed across the walls. Under the concept, “communicating a writing culture,” G.C.PRESS is a stationery brand established in 1979 that sells over 100 originally designed seasonal writing paper, envelopes, cards and stamps.

On the first floor, G.C.PRESS has a “Paper Factory” where personal name cards and stationery can be custom-ordered, as well as a wedding stationery corner. On the basement floor, they carry standard stationery and runs a small gallery. Customers can feel the store’s passion for its original designs, its determination to pursue high quality and their brand vision.

Communicating one’s thoughts in writing. Mitsuoka-san, the owner, says that there are feelings that can be communicated in writing, more because it has become an SNS-oriented world. The handwritten letter display is indeed heartwarming.

Since everyone needs stamps to send a letter, the store also sells beautifully designed inspirational stamps. Hoshihara-san took his time selecting his next letter set.

At G.C. PRESS, one can enjoy an enriching moment selecting stationery, thinking about whom they will write to.

G.C.PRESS
6-5-16 Ginza, Sanraku Bldg. 1F & B1F, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Store hours
　Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 – 20:00
　Sunday and Holidays 12:00-18:00
Closed on Mondays (except on holidays)
https://gc-press.co.jp

Nonohana Tsukasa

Our next destination was Nonohana Tsukasa, which Hoshihara-san described as a unique place where we would be welcomed by seasonal wild flowers.”

Nonohana Tsukasa is a flower shop carrying wild flowers and herbs, as well as tea ceremony flowers from all over Japan. The store sells more than fifty different types of flowers and branches that are thin or curved in a way that is not seen in plants that have been grown in flowerbeds and greenhouses. Full of life and dignity, the wildflowers are distinct from those found in the ordinary flower shop.

The store has the retro-inspired atmosphere of an old serene house. Different bright-colored wildflowers are on display from season to season, many delivered directly from all corners of Japan, instead of being procured at the flower market.

The store also had small bonsai and potted flowers, some coming in the size of an “ochoko (small sake cup)”. They would certainly make good casual gifts and would brighten up your desk. On the other hand, large yuzu citrus tree stood out among the other trees.

This is a “shishi-yuzu (lion yuzu)” (otherwise known as “Oni-yuzu (demon yuzu)”) grown in Kanagawa Prefecture, one of the discoveries from the stroll that I would not ordinarily make in everyday life. (By the way, the “shishi-yuzu” is too strong for the peels to be floated in the bath tub, but are edible preserved in syrup.)

Nonohana Tsukasa is a beautiful store where the changing seasons can be felt through wild flowers and herbs. It has a café and gallery on the second floor where you can enjoy a sensory journey.

Nonohana Tsukasa
3-7-21 Ginza, Chuo-ku Tokyo
Store hours
　Monday to Saturday10:00 – 19:00
　Sunday and holidays 11:00 – 18:00
http://www.nonohana-tsukasa.com

Miyuki-kan Main Store

Our last stop was Miyuki-kan Main Store, where Hoshihara-san mentioned that we would be able to enjoy “Ginza’s exquisite Mont Blanc.” Miyuki-kan is a long-established café celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It has five stores in the Ginza area and a total of six stores across Tokyo. We went to Miyuki-kan Main Store, located in Ginza 6-chome, close to the Sukiyabashi intersection.

The “Waguri (Japanese Chestnu) Mont Blanc” has been a longtime bestseller at Miyuki-kan and is often referred to as the “best Mont Blanc in Ginza.” We ordered the Premium Mont Blanc (1,080 yen, tax included), which is available only in limited numbers every day.

The Premium Mont Blanc is made 100% from Riheiguri, produced in Kumamoto Prefecture and known as “king of chestnuts.” The marron cream topping the cake is a pure marron paste that does not contain additional ingredients such as heavy cream and milk, which are typically included.

Below the rich marron cream comes whipped cream, only slightly sweetened, and followed by a light meringue. Entering the mouth, the three layers melt together smoothly, creating a fine taste.

To my surprise, around 40 percent of the orders taken at the café are for Mont Blancs, and each store bakes them every day making sure not to run out of them. I could understand why many customers come again and again.

During the coming season, cakes rich in strawberries, such as their Millefeuilles and Strawberry Genoise are also highly recommended. Please come to Ginza to indulge in an elegant tea time with special cakes and coffee.

Miyuki-kan
6-5-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Miyuki-kan Bldg. 11F
Store hours
　Monday – Friday 9:00 – 23:30
　Saturday 10:00 – 23:30
　Sunday and holidays 10:00 – 23:00
　Lunch on weekdays 11:00 – 14:00
http://www.cafe-ginza-miyukikan.com/