Yamashokuon which I started with with Takeshi Azuma, a.k.a. “Denki-kun,” has come to an end. I have deep memories of Yamashokuon, and I am grateful to Denki-kun for helping me create roots in Kyoto.

I am sometimes asked why I didn’t choose Osaka over Kyoto. I thought of Kyoto because it’s beautiful nature and rich culture, but also since I began my journey in Kamakura, the ancient capital of the east, it only made sense to build in the ancient capital of the west. however, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I started in Kyoto because of Denki-kun.

It would be a bit of a stretch to tell you why we parted ways, but I believe it was because of Denki-kun’s major success in sound production work, which is his core business. It is not widely known that Denki was heavily involved in Brian Eno’s exhibition, an ambient music master artist, held in Kyoto last year. I attended, and remember being astonished by Denki-kun’s work and the atmosphere that he had created, further deepening my respect for him.

Every beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning. As we both grew, our decision to create Yamatomichi Kyoto was a turning point. Denki will continue to follow his own path as Yamashokuon in his own creative rhythm.

Yamatomichi Kyoto began when I learned that Jens Jensen, who has been involved with Yamatomichi in various ways, was building a villa in Kyoto. Jens is a person who can create his own place anywhere, and while building his villa, he was maturing his own community in Kyoto.

Within that community, he had word of a interesting piece of land that was available. I decided to take a look at the place in person, and headed there on foot after drinking at Muraya* until noon. I was impressed at first sight!

*Muraya is a hip space in the guise of an izakaya located in Demachiyanagi, Kyoto. The atmosphere they create will take you to another dimension through sake. Denki introduced me to this place, and I was so hooked that I created Yamashokuon near Muraya.

In front of the building is Gojo Mall a drinking spot, and upon further investigation, I learned that it was a former office of a yakuza gangster. It was a location that locals wouldn’t dare to set foot in. The initial impression of the space was dark and rundown. But I had a hunch that if we could light the place up, we might be able to create a sunlit, light-filled place, a atmosphere that resembles sunlight shining through a dark forest. May 2022, I signed the contract while being a little tipsy from the izakayas across the street.

I signed the contract on the spur of the moment, but couldn’t help but worry about whether the dark, rundown place would really become a sunlit space. But as the years went by, I was blessed to meet many talented people, and the sunlit space I had envisioned was born. It became a place I was truly proud of.

Opening day, April 29. A private showing was held with the friends who helped make this place a reality. I would like to share with you the amazing people behind this project and some of the words I received from our friends as we celebrated the opening with drinks.

Yamatomichi Kyoto was built under the direction of Jens Jensen. Jens introduced me to Mr. Junmei Nagasaka of the architectural design firm Hitomori. We met in Kamakura, and after a few drinks, things began to take shape. I was also blessed to hear from Mr. Yamano, an old acquaintance of mine, who gave me his support saying, “Mr. Nagasaka would be the best choice.”

Thank you for creating this wonderful space.

We were happy to have them join us again this time, as we first asked them to do the lighting planning for our Kamakura office. I have unforgettable memories of the karaoke bar in Nara with them.

One month before the opening, we decided to change the main display stands. We wanted to create something more interactive and came up with the idea of making rotating showcases. I was impressed by Tadokoro-san of Hitomori, who quickly created a paper prototype for this purpose, and two weeks later, a prototype of a massive rotating solid aluminum showcase was completed.

It would not have been possible without Mr. Okazaki, who was very fond of Yamatomichi. When I went to see the prototype for the first time, he didn’t show any signs of interest in Yamatomichi, but the finished product was full of his love for the project. It was really cool.

The “listude” speakers create a sound that resonates as if nestled in the beautiful space of their workshop in Nara. I was surprised to learn that the founding member of listude, Mr. Tsurubayashi’s wife Anna, was Denki’s classmate in elementary school. In many ways, I think it was fate that she joined us for this project.

Wherever you go, there is often music playing. Music or silence, is that the only two options? I decided to have Denki create a third option, a space where you can feel nature through sound. I asked him to create a sound installation that would simulate the natural environment of the mountains, so that even if it is sunny outside, the sound of rain can be heard inside, and even if raining outside, inside you can feel the pleasant sunny weather in the mountains.

I asked Denki-kun to help us to ensure that even if we go down separate paths, we can collaborate and create new paths. The result was a store space that, in my opinion, was the first in the world to express realistic sounds of nature. This sound installation is truly amazing, and you feel as if you were really in nature, with the sounds of birds, frogs, and water. I believe that the world needs Denki-kun’s work and he will continue to contribute beauty to the world.

Although he started out as a consultant for Yamamichi’s overseas branding, he is now a reliable colleague who directs/manages curation of the Kamakura office and Kyoto. All from finding a location to completion, while also doing some of the carpentry work. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of environment he will create next with us.

Okada-san always had good vibes whenever I visited him on site. I am very happy to have found a carpenter I can trust. When I planned this interview, Nagasaka-san, who designed the building, said, “Let’s also interview Kimura-san from the construction company and Okada-san from the carpentry store, too,” which made me happy. I fully agree with Mr. Nagasaka’s opinion that the carpenters did a great job in creating such a nice space.

I was surprised when I visited the store and workshop of NOTA & design. The place, located at the end of a straight road deep in the mountains, was a space with overwhelmingly excellent design. Unfortunately, the tiles were installed in a slightly dim area, making it difficult to see all the beautiful colors, but when viewed in natural light, they look like rocks found in high mountains! I have a few tiles left over and would like to use them in places that see natural light.

Thanks to Ms. Kimura’s humble personality, we were able to proceed very pleasantly. Like Mr. Nagasaka, I was also glad that she visited our store in Kamakura first during the consideration stage of taking on the job. We were truly able to make a masterpiece. Thank you very much.

I have fond memories of visiting more than 9 breweries together in one night to inspect the beer situation in Kyoto during the stage of deciding the direction of the store. At first, we were thinking of setting up a kitchen and serving food, but there are many great restaurants in Kyoto, so we decided to keep it simple and make it a bottle store, thanks in large part to Noji’s advice. The main beers we will carry are Yorocco Beer, which has a close connection with Kamakura, and Pacific Brewing from Chigasaki.

We hope that the Yamatomichi Kyoto will become a place for new hikers to relax and enjoy themselves. A place where you can come after you hike, enjoy the sauna at Umeyu and toast with a beer in hand at Yamatomichi Kyoto.

Lastly, I would like to thank Mr. Tsuchiya of Hiker’s Depot who came from Tokyo for the opening day preview, Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Kimura, and Monja of Circles in Nagoya, and many others. It was an honor to be able to toast with all of you and to start the day with the biggest smile. Thank you very much! (Yamatomichi Founder, Akira Natsume)