Morioka Shoten designed by Kotaro Watananbe, Tokyo. Photography: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko Morioka Shoten designed by Kotaro Watananbe, Tokyo. Photography: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko
Morioka Shoten designed by Kotaro Watananbe, Tokyo. Photography: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko Morioka Shoten designed by Kotaro Watananbe, Tokyo. Photography: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko
Morioka Shoten designed by Kotaro Watananbe, Tokyo. Photography: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko Morioka Shoten designed by Kotaro Watananbe, Tokyo. Photography: Nacasa & Partners, Miyuki Kaneko

Single-minded

28 : 08 : 2015 Morioka Shoten : Bookstore : Ginza

Tokyo – Morioka Shoten is a book store that has made the bold decision to stock only one book at a time.

  • Part gallery, part book store, Morioka Shoten applies the Japanese philosophy of zen to the retail experience
  • The store occupies a small room in Ginza’s Suzuki Building, former office of legendary graphic design office Nippon Kobo

Each week Morioka stocks a different book, inviting visitors to learn more about the author by curating the remaining space around some aspect of their work. For its opening exhibition, for example, Morioka featured a portfolio entitled PUNK by Japanese textile artist Junko Oki and used the remaining space to exhibit a series of her embroidery artworks.

‘An ordinary store would have a number of books, and a reader would buy a book and then start to imagine what the author might be like,’ says creative director Kotaro Watanabe. ‘Morioka Shoten, on the other hand, has the opposite relationship, in which a reader visits the venue, encounters the author and other readers, then purchases a book.’

The Big Picture: Brands that enable us to explore, discover and reveal qualities about the environments we are keen to engage with are coming to the fore. Find out more by booking your place at Beyond Borders, our Autumn/Winter 2015 Trend Briefing.

Discover More Daily Signals
The Trend:  Masculinity Reset Retreats

Daily Signals

The Trend: Masculinity Reset Retreats

Men’s mental wellbeing retreats are reshaping modern masculinity, focusing on mindfulness, movement and meaningful male friendships.
Travel : Health And Wellness : Hospitality
The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Aman

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Aman

Aman epitomises ultra-luxury hospitality, blending serene design, bespoke service and rare experiences for a devoted high-net-worth clientele.
Travel : Hospitality : Hotel
The Campaign: Unplugged and Munya Chawawa turn to humour to tackle Britain’s screen addiction

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Unplugged and Munya Chawawa turn to humour to tackle Britain’s screen addiction

Unplugged, the digital detox brand behind off-grid cabins that lock away phones and reconnect guests with nature, has teamed up with comedian Munya...
Travel : Cannes Lions 2025: The Unhinged Humour Opportunity : Digital Detox
The Viewpoint: The New Youth Club

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: The New Youth Club

Opened in April 2025, Moot is a membership-based youth space in northwest London redefining the concept of youth clubs for a generation seeking rea...
Travel : Hospitality : Youth
The Space: Mad Swans ushers in a new era for golf and hospitality in the UK

Daily Signals

The Space: Mad Swans ushers in a new era for golf and hospitality in the UK

Mad Swans is an innovative countryside destination by Longshot on the Mendip Hills in southwest England that opened in October 2025 to offer a fres...
Travel : Sports : Health And Wellness
The Trend:  Romantic Anarchy

Daily Signals

The Trend:  Romantic Anarchy

Younger generations are rewriting the rules of romance – approaching love with equal parts idealism and irreverence.
Pop Culture : Media : Romance
The Big Idea: Branding in the Age of Elasticity

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Branding in the Age of Elasticity

As the Western world enters a time of cultural volatility and political division, brands face a choice: retreat, react or re-root.  
Pop Culture : Media : Branding
The Viewpoint: Trad Love and a 19th century foresight framework for romance

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Trad Love and a 19th century foresight framework for romance

Pop Culture : Media : Dating
The Space: Why Netflix’s restaurant residency in Las Vegas speaks to fandoms

Daily Signals

The Space: Why Netflix’s restaurant residency in Las Vegas speaks to fandoms

Netflix expanding its entertainment empire into immersive dining in late 2025 with Netflix Bites Vegas, a year-long residency at MGM Grand in Las V...
Pop Culture : Media : Netflix
The Campaign: Instagram champions creative risk-taking with star-studded global campaign

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Instagram champions creative risk-taking with star-studded global campaign

As Instagram approached its 15th anniversary, the platform has launched a new campaign spotlighting creativity on social media.
Pop Culture : Media : Entertainment
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN