In response to Japan’s declining rice consumption – the once symbolic staple of the nation’s diet – Japanese retailer Sazaby League has opened Akomeya Tokyo, an innovative retail concept that pays homage to the grain.
Located in Tokyo’s Ginza district, the store carries over 6,000 rice-related items, including Kurosawa Farm’s award-winning rice, earthenware pots from Saga Prefecture (a jurisdiction in Kyushu, Japan) and limited edition wooden boxes known as Masu, which are traditionally used to measure rice and serve sake. As well as merchandise, Akomeya Tokyo will hold workshops to educate customers about rice, seasoning and kitchenware, there’s also a bar and restaurant serving up sake-based cocktails and the Japanese rice cake Mochi.