When it comes to traveling to Ise, the standard itinerary is visiting Ise Jingu and eating food at Okage Yokocho, but for those who want to be surrounded by the things they love every day, there is a spot you cannot miss at Life in Maeyama-cho, Ise City. The name of the store is "MARCI".

It takes about 12-3 minutes by car from Ise Jingu. However, since it is located at the foot of a mountain a little far from the city center, it is a shop that you will not easily see even if you are driving through the city.

"MARCI" opened three years ago. The concept is "valuable time". What kind of time do they provide? I visited with my heart full of expectations.

The store is divided into a shop space where you can find household goods and interior furniture, and a cafe where you can enjoy lunch and morning breakfast. First, let's go to the shop.

Miscellaneous goods and interior furniture are available
Store space

In the "POP UP STORE" space, you will find a line-up of recommended products based on seasonal themes. On this day, the "basket bags" were lined up which made me feel the arrival of the early summer season.

A lot of kitchenware on the left. Tableware such as plates and cups from HASAMI PORCELAIN, a Nagasaki Hasami ware designer's brand, is especially popular as a standard product.

"The tableware we use in the cafe feels completely different to the way it does when you touch it in the cafe," explained Ms. Iwakura, who is in charge of managing MARCI.

When new, it has a rough, unglazed texture, but with daily use, it becomes smooth and moist.

Ms. Noriko Iwakura, who manages "MARCI"

Ms. Iwakura: “We want to deliver products that people will enjoy using as they age, and that they will feel attached to them and use them with care for a long time.”

One of the recommended products is the towel developed by a long-established manufacturer in Senshu, Osaka, which has a history of 100 years. It has a unique soft and fluffy texture.

Ms. Iwakura:“I would be happy if the products I met and purchased here could add some color to their lives."

The store is also decorated with interior furniture such as sofas and tables.

“We listen to our customers about their daily lives, and we can also propose a selection of furniture based on their lifestyles,” she says.

Ms . Iwakura and other staff members sometimes consult with us about where to place the sofa in the living room and what type of sofa is suitable for how to spend time there.

In fact, "MARCI" is operated by a housing company in Ise called "BdHOME," which handles uniquely designed houses. Commitment to interior proposals is also the forte of "MARCI".

In the back of the store, there is a section for outdoor goods.

Ms. Iwakura: "We have a selection of goods that will help you enjoy the outdoors, such as easy-to-use plastic dishes and easy-to-use camping chairs. I think you can enjoy it too."

"MARCI" has a wide range of products, from interior goods to household goods, accessories, and outdoor items, and is filled with the thoughts of the staff who selected them. It's a store that offers a "valuable time", not only the time spent in the store surrounded by attractive products, but also the sense of fulfillment that the products bring to daily life.

After enjoying the store, I will step into the cafe.