Down a gentle slope from Yamate, where Western-style buildings exuding an exotic atmosphere are scattered, lies Yokohama Motomachi. In this town, which still vividly retains the memories of the port's opening, the tableware specialty store "Takarada" has been in business for over 140 years.

Founded in 1882 (Meiji 15), the company was established as a furniture store to meet the high demand from foreigners living in the foreign settlement. Foreigners who came to Japan only had a suitcase full of personal belongings and were troubled by the lack of familiar furniture.

The founder then used their gestures, hand movements, and rough sketches based on memory to create furniture one piece at a time, just like the furniture used in their home country. This marked the beginning of Takarada's long history.

From ruins to recovery: Transforming from a furniture store to a tableware store.

During World War II, Motomachi was reduced to a burnt-out wasteland, and all the furniture for sale was reduced to ashes. However, heat-resistant tableware managed to survive by hiding deep inside air-raid shelters. After the war, the shop owner, determined to rebuild his business, polished these dishes to a shine and displayed them in the shop. American soldiers living in settlements such as Honmoku eagerly bought them as souvenirs to take home, and the shop became incredibly popular.

The fact that their tableware "sold like hotcakes" attracted business from domestic manufacturers. As inquiries about handling their products poured in from tableware manufacturers across the country, Takarada transformed from a furniture store into a tableware shop. Later, as Japanese lifestyles became more Westernized and the culture of furnishing homes with Western tableware sets became established, Takarada's prosperity as a specialty store was further boosted.

A touch of luxury in everyday life. Original tableware reflecting memories of Yokohama.

In a corner of the store, tableware adorned in vibrant blue is on display. Depicting scenes of Yokohama's past and present are some of the original products from "Takara-da," a brand that has been around since the 1980s. The tableware is made with meticulous attention to detail, from the materials to the usability, and there are also gorgeous series featuring roses, the official flower of Yokohama City.

For example, the mugs feature large handles that fit comfortably in your fingers and a design that makes them surprisingly light when you hold them. Because these are high-quality pieces filled with attention to detail not found in mass-produced items, simply adding one to your table can completely change the atmosphere of your daily life.

The table setting becomes more vibrant, and even the taste of your usual meal changes—that's the kind of richness that tableware can bring, and Takarada continues to propose.

The history of food as told through tableware. The charm of antiques that tell stories.

Takarada also stocks a large selection of valuable antique tableware. A prime example is "Old Noritake," which was exported from the Meiji era to the pre-war period to earn foreign currency and was recently bought back from the United States.

The exquisite tableware, each a work of art, conveys the lifestyles and cultures of the West of the past. For example, there is a "plate specifically for celery," something rarely seen today. It offers a glimpse into the surprising history of food, revealing that celery was such an expensive vegetable in Europe and America at the time that it required a special dish.

By carefully conveying the stories behind these items, tableware begins to appear as something more than just everyday necessities. Leveraging their expertise as a specialty store, they value helping customers appreciate the profound depth of these vessels as part of their business philosophy.

Passing on tradition to the next generation: Choosing tableware to enjoy an elegant lifestyle.

Hiroshi Takarada, the fifth-generation owner, also serves as the chairman of the Motomachi SS Cooperative Association of Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street. He has been working tirelessly to revitalize the town with an eye on the future, such as planning events to install a merry-go-round on the street to encourage families with young children to visit. He continues his activities to pass on the appeal of specialty shops to the next generation, saying, "I want to work hand in hand with neighboring facilities to make it an interesting place rooted in the community."

Takarada, a store with over 140 years of history in Motomachi, now sells Japanese tableware, interior goods, and accessories. Although the products it sells have changed with the times, the store's concept of "enjoying an elegant lifestyle" remains unchanged.

When you visit Yokohama, take a short trip to Motomachi. You're sure to find your favorite tableware that will add a fresh touch of elegance to your dining table and bring joy every time you use it.

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Takarada

電話：045-641-0057
住所：神奈川県横浜市中区元町3-118
アクセス：みなとみらい線元町・中華街駅から徒歩5分/ JR石川町駅から徒歩7分
HP： https://takarada.co.jp/
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