As you drive through Urahoro in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region, you’ll spot a shop with a large sign reading ‘Torinome Shoten.’ This space, once a vacant store, was renovated and reborn in 2023 as a book cafe that encapsulates the very essence of town life. It’s a place to choose a book, enjoy a meal, chat with someone, and sometimes even work. Join us as we introduce this wonderful spot, a place open to the community that connects life and people.
A New Gathering Place Opened in 2023 in a Renovated Vacant Store
Torinome Shoten opened on October 28, 2023, in a building that once supported the town’s daily life as the Yamamoto Hardware Store. Inside, books, food items, general goods, and vintage clothing are spaciously arranged, creating an atmosphere where you can spend more than just time shopping. About 80% of the books are second-hand, and part of the charm is feeling the layers of time and the presence of previous owners, something you don’t get with new books.
Enjoy a Relaxing Meal and Shopping Experience
From left: “Curry Doria” (1,300 yen), “Pear and Black Tea Pound Cake” (500 yen), and the vibrant “Hamanasu Soda” (450 yen)
A popular meal is the standard “Gapao Rice,” a mild version flavored with perilla and ginger to suit Japanese tastes. Other options include the “Hot Sandwich (Tuna or Croque Monsieur-style)” for 700 yen and the cheesy, hearty “Curry Doria.” The cafe menu is also extensive, featuring seasonal sweets like the “Pear and Black Tea Pound Cake” (500 yen) and a “Caffe Latte” made with milk from Urahoro.
Cider from Ashoro and craft beer from Urahoro and Tsurui Village are available for purchase.
A wide lineup including incense, cosmetics made with Urahoro’s hamanasu (Japanese rose), and books on agriculture.
The shop, which selects unique goods from all over Japan, is filled with attractive products, from cookies and coffee to craft beers like “RIKKA” and “Brasserie Knot,” one-of-a-kind vintage clothing, and cosmetics made from Urahoro’s hamanasu. Some of the food and goods are part of a “shelf owner” system, where town residents can have their own shelf to display and sell their products. This system allows not just the staff but also the townspeople to be involved as participants, which is one of the reasons Torinome Shoten has become so rooted in the town.
A welcome kids’ space for families with children.
The vintage clothing selection is unisex, enjoyable for everyone.
The store is lined with books that just beg to be picked up.
Additionally, there is a co-working space at the back of the shop, providing a quiet environment for focused work. The versatility of this place, where you can shop, read, or work, is another of its unique charms.
All Staff Members are Newcomers to the Town; Regular Events and Dinners are Also Held
The shop hosts events like knitting circles and dinner parties about once a month. These events bring together people not only from Urahoro but also from outside the town, creating a space where conversations naturally arise. Dinner parties are mainly announced on Instagram, providing another reason for people to visit.
Supporting this shop are five team members: Momoko, who selects the vintage clothing; Tamaki, the store manager who also selects the general goods; Fuko, who selects the books and also supports the town as a council member; the owner, Mr. Komatsu; and Arisa, who handles public relations. A major feature of Torinome Shoten is that all five members are people who have moved to the town from elsewhere. The fresh perspective of outsiders combined with a deep respect for the town creates the unique atmosphere of this place.
From left: Fuko, Tamaki, Momoko, and Misae.
‘Hahaha Hostel,’ run by the same owner in Urahoro.
Furthermore, ‘Hahaha Hostel,’ an accommodation facility run by the same owner as Torinome Shoten, is also located in Urahoro. We recommend staying in the town and visiting Torinome Shoten for a taste of local life. It’s a place where things, people, and time gently intersect. Torinome Shoten quietly reflects the ‘now’ and ‘future’ of the town of Urahoro.
▼Click here for more information on ‘Hahaha Hostel’
*All prices include tax.
Writer Profile
Deer Woman / Editor
Maya Nakamura
Born in Miyagi Prefecture. She transitioned from being an editor at a gourmet media company to a hunter. Known affectionately as “Shika-onna Mayamon” (Deer Woman Mayamon), her motto is to savor life respectfully. She handles the entire process from hunting deer to butchering the meat. She is also active as a freelance editor, designing logos and pamphlets, writing, and planning events.
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