Drew attention for being the first to use the term department store.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Hakuhinkan is a very familiar place to me. I have two kids, so we come here about once a week.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Thank you.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How long has it been since the company was founded?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- It began in 1899 as the Teikoku (=Imperial) Hakuhinkan Kankoba. A \u201ckankoba\u201d is like what we call department store today, and it held a number of tenants. Apparently, it drew attention for being the first to use the term \u201cdepartment store.\u201d It shut down temporarily after the Great Kanto Earthquake, and switched businesses numerous times after that. It took on its current form as a toy shop 30 years ago.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- The elevator at Hakuhinkan is quite famous.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Yes, it\u2019s a hydraulic elevator. It\u2019s classical technology remaining in its original form. It uses pipes called cylinders to move it up and down with hydraulic pressure. The only problem is that it\u2019s a hydraulic elevator, so it gives off a slight odor of oil. We often receive complaints from customers (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_01.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI sometimes produce shows myself.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Not only do you sell toys, but you also have restaurants and a theater.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. The restaurants are tenants, but the theater shows self-produced performances, collaboration and sometimes even shows I\u2019ve produced myself.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No kidding! Who have you had perform?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- As for recent shows, there will be the musical Tap Gigolo featuring HIDEBOH that will be shown this fall.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I have also performed with him once. He became instantly famous with Zatoichi directed by Beat Takeshi.
Your theater seats the audience very close to the stage, which I think is great. You can even see how the performers are breathing.<\/dd>\n - Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Because the theater is small, it\u2019s much better suited to acts like tap dancing and magic shows that have a realistic sensation than elaborate productions. This year end we will hold the 5th live New Year\u2019s World Rock Festival concert with entertainers like Mr. Maric and Yuya Uchida. I hope you can come out for it this year too.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Thank you. Whenever I come here, however, I feel like I just need to dance (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_02.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_03.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHakuhinkan Theater<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_04.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nWe are aiming for the top entertainment in Ginza.<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What points set the Hakuhinkan apart from other toy stores?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Nowadays, most toy stores are volume retailers. There are fewer and fewer specialized shops. I don\u2019t think there are many stores dedicated to toys like Hakuhinkan Toy Park. The second floor sells only stuffed toys. It is quite huge and has a selection of toys not just for girls, but for boys as well. Also, because we\u2019re located in Ginza, we get more adult customers than children.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s great to have a toy store that adults can enjoy as well.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- We don\u2019t refer to our products as toys, but rather as \u201cfun products.\u201d We choose products with a little bit of added fun. For example, we\u2019ll sell a ballpoint pen if it has a charm attached. Adding a charm transforms it from a simple writing instrument to a \u201cfun product.\u201d<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What do you want Hakuhinkan to be like in the future?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- There are many specialty shops in Ginza, but our building is the only one with toys, a theater and restaurants. I want Hakuhinkan to be the best entertainment center in Ginza.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_05.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStore interior with many different \u201cfun products\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_06.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI want us to create a new Ginza that is full of different types of appeal.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What is Ginza like from your perspective?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- I generally like romantic towns, and that is exactly what Ginza is. I don\u2019t think any other town is so different between day and night. Just as the lady office workers are leaving for the day, the hostesses come out for work\u2026 It is really interesting to see the cafes at this hour of the day that are packed with hostesses in kimonos and dresses with their hair all done up.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s really interesting that, at the right time of day, or when you turn down a street, you can find a whole different atmosphere.
What do you want Ginza to be like in the future?<\/dd>\n - <\/dt>\n
- <\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- In Ginza, opening a shop and continuing its business are two different things. It is extremely difficult to keep a business running in Ginza. It is very mysterious how it works, but businesses that do not \u2018fit\u2019 Ginza are eliminated through a process of natural selection. Instead of just accepting businesses that fit Ginza as is, I think it would be more interesting to broaden its field. When all\u2019s said and done, only the necessary things will remain. I want us to create a new Ginza that is full of different types of appeal.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_07.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s Mr. Miwa, the president of Jeweler Miwa, a historic jewelry shop that was the first to introduce diamond engagement rings to Japan. He also puts great effort into revitalizing Ginza. I\u2019m sure he will tell you about various thoughts he has regarding Ginza.<\/dd>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_10_08.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nChisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Hakuhinkan is a very familiar place to me. I have two kids, so we come here about once a week.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Thank you.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- How long has it been since the company was founded?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- It began in 1899 as the Teikoku (=Imperial) Hakuhinkan Kankoba. A \u201ckankoba\u201d is like what we call department store today, and it held a number of tenants. Apparently, it drew attention for being the first to use the term \u201cdepartment store.\u201d It shut down temporarily after the Great Kanto Earthquake, and switched businesses numerous times after that. It took on its current form as a toy shop 30 years ago.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- The elevator at Hakuhinkan is quite famous.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Yes, it\u2019s a hydraulic elevator. It\u2019s classical technology remaining in its original form. It uses pipes called cylinders to move it up and down with hydraulic pressure. The only problem is that it\u2019s a hydraulic elevator, so it gives off a slight odor of oil. We often receive complaints from customers (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
I sometimes produce shows myself.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Not only do you sell toys, but you also have restaurants and a theater.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s right. The restaurants are tenants, but the theater shows self-produced performances, collaboration and sometimes even shows I\u2019ve produced myself.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No kidding! Who have you had perform?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- As for recent shows, there will be the musical Tap Gigolo featuring HIDEBOH that will be shown this fall.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I have also performed with him once. He became instantly famous with Zatoichi directed by Beat Takeshi.
Your theater seats the audience very close to the stage, which I think is great. You can even see how the performers are breathing.<\/dd>\n - Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Because the theater is small, it\u2019s much better suited to acts like tap dancing and magic shows that have a realistic sensation than elaborate productions. This year end we will hold the 5th live New Year\u2019s World Rock Festival concert with entertainers like Mr. Maric and Yuya Uchida. I hope you can come out for it this year too.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Thank you. Whenever I come here, however, I feel like I just need to dance (laughs).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n
Hakuhinkan Theater<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nWe are aiming for the top entertainment in Ginza.<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What points set the Hakuhinkan apart from other toy stores?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- Nowadays, most toy stores are volume retailers. There are fewer and fewer specialized shops. I don\u2019t think there are many stores dedicated to toys like Hakuhinkan Toy Park. The second floor sells only stuffed toys. It is quite huge and has a selection of toys not just for girls, but for boys as well. Also, because we\u2019re located in Ginza, we get more adult customers than children.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s great to have a toy store that adults can enjoy as well.<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- We don\u2019t refer to our products as toys, but rather as \u201cfun products.\u201d We choose products with a little bit of added fun. For example, we\u2019ll sell a ballpoint pen if it has a charm attached. Adding a charm transforms it from a simple writing instrument to a \u201cfun product.\u201d<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What do you want Hakuhinkan to be like in the future?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- There are many specialty shops in Ginza, but our building is the only one with toys, a theater and restaurants. I want Hakuhinkan to be the best entertainment center in Ginza.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\nStore interior with many different \u201cfun products\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
I want us to create a new Ginza that is full of different types of appeal.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What is Ginza like from your perspective?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- I generally like romantic towns, and that is exactly what Ginza is. I don\u2019t think any other town is so different between day and night. Just as the lady office workers are leaving for the day, the hostesses come out for work\u2026 It is really interesting to see the cafes at this hour of the day that are packed with hostesses in kimonos and dresses with their hair all done up.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s really interesting that, at the right time of day, or when you turn down a street, you can find a whole different atmosphere.
What do you want Ginza to be like in the future?<\/dd>\n - <\/dt>\n
- <\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- In Ginza, opening a shop and continuing its business are two different things. It is extremely difficult to keep a business running in Ginza. It is very mysterious how it works, but businesses that do not \u2018fit\u2019 Ginza are eliminated through a process of natural selection. Instead of just accepting businesses that fit Ginza as is, I think it would be more interesting to broaden its field. When all\u2019s said and done, only the necessary things will remain. I want us to create a new Ginza that is full of different types of appeal.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Itoh<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s Mr. Miwa, the president of Jeweler Miwa, a historic jewelry shop that was the first to introduce diamond engagement rings to Japan. He also puts great effort into revitalizing Ginza. I\u2019m sure he will tell you about various thoughts he has regarding Ginza.<\/dd>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n