Tsutaya Books announces preview of second location: design pop-up concept store and café introduce new dishes

By MOOK Travel Editor

Taiwan’s first TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE in Xinyi District launched in January 2017 as the nation’s pioneering genuine BOOK & CAFÉ STYLE retail concept. In addition to selling Chinese, Japanese, and international books and magazines, the store continuously introduces the latest Japanese pop culture goods, stationery, and products from Tsutaya’s own brand. Partnering with WIRED TOKYO, it offers customers a comfortable dining environment and reading space. With outstanding sales performance, the bookstore has surpassed 10,000 members. Mr. Wong Yin-min, Chairman of Central Group, which operates Tsutaya Bookstore Taiwan, announced that the second branch, invested by the group’s subsidiary, Deltamac Entertainment, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2018 in Taichung. The new location will feature a larger floor area, along with more impressive space design and food offerings to wow fashion-forward customers.

TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Xinyi invited DMOARTS, a well-known art gallery from Osaka, to collaborate on the ‘MY FIRST ART’ series, showcasing over 100 works by emerging Japanese artists through a POP-UP STORE format. The main concept of ‘MY FIRST ART’ is to make art accessible at an affordable price, offering first-time collectors a memorable introduction to art collecting.

In addition, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Xinyi has partnered with Japan’s historically prestigious chest maker, ‘Monmaya,’ to operate a POP-UP STORE from August 1 to August 14, featuring traditional display cabinets and custom furniture even favored by the Japanese Emperor. Founded in Meiji 5 (1872) in Sendai, Monmaya has continuously innovated its century-old craftsmanship and has become a highly regarded brand across Japan.

Mr. Kazuta Monma, the seventh-generation successor of the brand, mentioned that since 2011, they have been developing new products in collaboration with other designers, many of which have won the Japan GOOD DESIGN AWARD and received the Japanese government’s JAPAN BRAND recognition. Monmaya has participated in major international design exhibitions, spanning from Japan to Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, and beyond, showcasing new products and traditional display cabinets with great dedication.

The Made-in-Japan apparel brand FACTELIER opened a POP-UP STORE alongside TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE’s entry into Taiwan. The young founder and CEO, Toshio Yamada, stated that the brand combines Japanese artisan spirit with modern design, delivering products directly to customers' homes via an affordable online shopping model. The product range includes T-shirts, shirts, bags, umbrellas, and baby items… etc. At the Xinyi store, customers can try on sample items and place orders via tablet for direct home delivery.