1. What is YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI?

YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI, which opened in the heart of Yonezawa City, is a new store created by Takayamado, known for its Yoneori komon and café.

The view from the large window is of Uesugi Shrine, located nearby.

Cherry blossoms in spring, lotus in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.

The scenery changes with the seasons, and it’s so relaxing that you’ll find yourself losing track of time.

When I went inside, I found a select shop and a café space.

The interior of the store is made up of reused materials donated from a storehouse that was scheduled for demolition.

The nailed solid wood floors remain as they were back then.

The space is filled with calm and warmth, inheriting history while breathing new life into it.

Also on display are intricate and delicate jacquard tapestries by Hideo Yamaguchi, whose works are also housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States.

Each thread is carefully used to depict the lotus flowers blooming on the edge of a moat, and this is a “photo-woven” piece that captures the memories and scenery of the land in the fabric.

Please take your time to look around and feel the atmosphere of the historic Uesugi Shrine.

2. Select Shop

The “YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI” select shop is a place where you can find “genuine items filled with the creators’ passion” mainly in Yamagata Prefecture and the Okitama area.

The items on display here are made using carefully selected materials, traditional techniques, and new sensibilities.

We would like to introduce some of the fascinating items that were on display at the time of our interview.

① Yoneori Komon Black Label

“Yoneori Komon Black Label” is a fashionable series that is pure and all black, while making use of the delicate weaving techniques of Yonezawa weaving.

The intricate small pattern is woven into the fabric, bringing out a deep, black world.

This is a sophisticated collection that embodies the beauty of tradition while elevating it to a modern style.

They also offer accessories that can be used in everyday life, such as drawstring bags and tissue covers, so you can easily enjoy the world of Yonezawa weaving.

② Apparel items made with Yonezawa weaving

“Yoneori Koromo” is an apparel brand that luxuriously incorporates Yonezawa weaving.

It has the soft feel that only 100% cotton can provide, and the beautiful texture that is unique to woven fabrics.

It fits seamlessly into everyday life, yet its elegant silhouette brings out the adult feminine.

On the day of the interview, the “Yoneori komon x CHUMS” collaboration T-shirts, which are only available in the Tohoku region, were lined up over the counter.

The simple and modern shapes and patterns are expressed in black and white, making this a piece that exudes the high quality of Yonezawa weaving while still being casual.

3. Collaborative items with Yonezawa weaving and works by local artists

The store is stocked with collaborative items with Yonezawa Komon and works by talented artists from Yamagata Prefecture, and you’ll be sure to make new discoveries just by walking around.

The collaboration products with CUCULI are a wonderful blend of traditional and modern design sensibilities, using Yonezawa weaving for the ribbons on hats and the thongs on geta sandals.

These items, which embody the creator’s passion, are easy to incorporate into your daily life and allow you to casually enjoy the charm of Japanese culture.

LUEGO is a leather item brand from Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture.

The works on display are imbued with the desire to be a presence that is close to the person who uses them.

They plan to continue collaborating with various artists and developing new works in the future.

We look forward to seeing it evolve even further as a select shop that brings the unique charm of Yonezawa, a textile production area, to everyday life.

3.　café

The café space adjacent to the select shop is also one of the great attractions of YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI.

The menu features dishes that incorporate ingredients typical of Yamagata, as well as original drinks and sweets that can only be enjoyed here.

One of the most recommended items is the freshly brewed coffee, which is carefully extracted using a copper dripper.

The bright acidity and delicate aroma that only lightly roasted beans can offer spreads throughout your mouth, allowing you to enjoy a special cup of coffee that lets you experience the individuality of the beans with every sip.

Popular items on the food menu are the homemade bagels.

Made with “Yukichikara” wheat from Yamagata Prefecture, they are baked to a chewy, moist, and fragrant texture.

Each bagel is carefully hand-kneaded, making it the perfect gift or a treat for yourself.

Don’t miss the sweets baked in the store’s oven.

The snack waffles, chocolate chip cookies, and scones are all homemade and are recommended as a coffee accompaniment.

Another attraction is the limited-edition menu that appears each season.

This summer, a shake featuring Yamagata’s local flavor “Zunda” has been released.

The rich taste of the ingredients has been concentrated without using any water, and the aroma and gentle sweetness of the edamame make this an irresistible treat.

Additionally, the new menu item, the “Acai Bowl,” is also rapidly gaining popularity.

This rich and thick acai is topped with plenty of fruit and garnished with the fragrant aroma of lotus cookies, making it a dish that is gentle and satisfying for both body and soul.

You can enjoy it in the restaurant, or take it out or via Uber Eats.

4. What YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI aims to achieve

The core of the store’s creation is the desire to create a place that brings together and disseminates the people and culture working hard in Yonezawa.

A major feature of this store is that it is constantly evolving through updates, such as by getting ideas from conversations with local people and incorporating them into its plans, and by actively incorporating ideas from staff.

“We want to not only preserve tradition, but also incorporate new ideas and connect it to the next generation.”

Based on this idea, YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI aims to act as a bridge connecting Yonezawa’s culture to the future.

The “Loom” collection, which was on display in the store, combines a unique technology for weaving photos with the visual expression of generative AI.

I experienced the new expression that was created by combining AI with traditional techniques, and had an exciting moment thinking, “This may become a new tradition.”

We are sure that this place will continue to bring small stimulations and joy to the sensibilities and daily lives of each visitor.

5. Message

Finally, Yamaguchi-san has a message for everyone reading VISIT YAMAGATA.

” The menus and products at our café and select shop are constantly being updated. Please feel free to drop in and enjoy your free time.”

Relax at the café while watching the scenery of Uesugi Shrine change with the seasons, or make new discoveries at the select shop where tradition and modernity intersect.

Be sure to visit YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI to experience Yonezawa’s culture and craftsmanship.

6. Basic Information

YOZANDO MARUNOUCHI
Hours
9:30~17:30 (last order at 17:15)

Closed
Tuesday