Hidden Travel Store along the Chuo Line – Traveling General Store Hin plus
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Located in Nishi-Ogikubo, Traveling General Store Hin plus (世界の手仕事と雑貨「旅する雑貨屋 Hin plus」) is a miscellaneous nick-nack store that has travel goods from all over the world. The shop owner, who loves traveling and collecting little things here and there, also has tons of stories behind the things she brought back to Japan. Each item has its own story and emotions. The store owner hopes that by bringing back objects from all over the world, the store Hin plus can connect the bridge between the guests and the foreign countries.
Clothes, pottery, bags, dolls, and more, there are so many things to see at this little hidden store in Nishi-Ogikubo (西荻窪), Tokyo. It's a really great place to be surrounded by stories from all over the world. Many people don't have the means to go to every country in the world, which is what makes Hin plus that more attractive and fun to visit. It's almost like a travel antique shop.
★Traveling General Store Hin plus (世界の手仕事と雑貨「旅する雑貨屋 Hin plus」)
Google Maps
⏰12pm～7pm
*Until 5pm on Wednesdays
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
(There is a chance it may be closed on other days/occasions)
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This is the handkerchief that Portuguese women use to respond to a marriage proposal.
A rag doll in a red apron that represents "married" in Estonian tradition.
3-Minute Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station
The general store Hin plus is located at Nishi Ogikubo Station. Nishi-ogikubo is about a 13 minute train ride from Shinjuku on the JR Chuo Line and JR Sobu Line. Other main stations on the same line are Mikata, which is known for having the Ghibli Museum, along with Nakano, Koenji, which are famous for fashion and live houses, and Kichijoji which is a great nightlife drinking and eating spot.
"Traveling General Store Hin plus (世界の手仕事と雑貨「旅する雑貨屋 Hin plus」) is located about 3 minutes from Nishi-Ogikubo Station's North Exit. Once you leave the North Exit, you will see a shopping street alley on the right side. Walk about 50m and Hin plus will be on the left side.
Just look for a small store with a vibrant blue door!
Goods from All around the World
The owner of this store has visited several dozens of countries including Europe, Israel, the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia), South America, and Southeast Asia. The owner said she travels alone to these countries to communicate with the local people, learn the most traditional culture, and bring these meaningful and story items back to Japan for customers and friends to take home with them. We found ourselves intrigued by the wide range of miscellaneous goods and what sort of meaning they held that were on display in this tiny shop.
The show owner explained the places she has traveled to and where she has gotten some of the items sold in the shop.
Photographs of locals (this was in Portugal) who were taken directly by the owner.
Culture and Tradition
When you talk directly to the owner, you can see her attachment to every single item. Even though it seems to be ordinary goods at first glance, but after listening to the story behind everything, what was simply “beautiful”, changes into something of purpose.
1. Knitting expressed the daily life of Polish people.
The owner of this store is very curious, and he says he can make goods directly from the local area.
It is said that this green work was learned and made in a small village about 5 hours away from the central part of Poland, and it expresses the daily life of the locals such as water folks, folk dances and crops. The work shown in the picture is an expression of the bee farm and the bees.
2. Latvian Insignia and Wrist Insulation
The colorful items shown in the photograph are called the lavatory and wrist goods of the citizens of the Republic of Latvia.
From ancient times, Latvians, who thought of neck and wrists as a precious area, made fabric that could protect the area.
3. A skirt counting the days of Portugal
This skirt was made in 7 layers. The reason is that when the wife who sent the old acquaintance waits for her husband, it is said to be a skirt that counts the days to count the date, and the skirt with the affection of the local women at that time has become a traditional tradition.
A Store of Things from around the World and a Story to Match
The general merchandise Hin plus is called "Handmade goods and miscellaneous goods in the world". In fact, it is not a mass-produced item at the factory, but only a hand-touched item, meaning that all of the goods in the shop are filled with rare items that are not available anywhere else.
At first, I thought, 'How did the owner of such a dwarf and quiet person alone go to so many countries'? But when explaining memories and knowledge about each single item, I was able. If you are interested in world travel, sundries, please come to this place and have a chance to hear about the rare items and the stories in the world.
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Details
NAME:世界の手仕事と雑貨 「旅する雑貨屋 Hin plus」
MAP
3-3-12 Nishiogikita, Suginami, Tokyo
ACCESS:Nishi-Ogikubo Station
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CHUGOKU
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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