Presentation Schedule
Fascinating Shops: The Position of Unique Stores in the Organic Development of Shotengai Shopping Areas in Japan (98078)
Session Chair: Edmund Hoff
Thursday, 2 October 2025 14:15
Session: Session 1
Room: (B1) Poble Nou
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
Societies the world over congregate around central market areas for the buying and selling of essential household goods. Over the last decades, these traditional 'shotengai' shopping areas in Japan have been dramatically dropping in number. Population decline, the popularity of convenience stores, and in the 2000s, the advent of the shopping mall all play a roll in this change. Within this, the development of fascinating shops or unique spaces stand out as a potential counter to this cultural shift. This presentation will examine the role of these fascinating stores. Through this, we can see how a highly organized society allows for a level of disorganization. In other words, permissible chaos within order. Shops in which there owners display items which are not necessarily sold, surrounding themselves with objects of self expression. Hundreds of Star Wars helmets and figures in a craft beer shop, extensive collections of cereal boxes imported from abroad merely for presentation purposes are examples of this creative characterization of space. Interactive places, art displays and mini-museum deconstruct our understanding of the market space. Owners create their personal 'isekai' for their own satisfaction and the curiosity of the visitor. These spaces stretch the meaning of decorative elements, standing out as a progressive development in the shotengai of Japan.
Authors:
Edmund Hoff, Kokushikan University, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Professor Edmund Hoff is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Tokyo Denki University in Japan
See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule
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