[Kita-ku, Nagoya] A New Style Flower Shop "TAIYO FLOWER" with a History of 50 years

In August 2021, a new flower shop was born in Kita Ward, Nagoya City. Its name is "TAIYO FLOWER".

It is about a 10-minute walk from the Ajima Station on the Meitetsu Komaki Line. The shop is marked by a large "Hanaya" sign and a brick with a flower design that looks like a traditional family crest. There is a parking space next to the store.

*Information is current at the time of the interview.
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Combined with the retro atmosphere of the noren, it creates a unique and stylish space.

The store is filled with seasonal flowers and greenery. It is said that the owner, Mr. Fujii, and others renovated the carefully selected interior. This shop is handmade and full of love.

A stylish space with tiles, a warm space with wood, a cool space like a garage, etc. Each location has a different taste, so you can enjoy shopping while enjoying various atmospheres in one store.

The owner, Mr. Fujii, selects many rare flowers that you don't usually see. He is conscious of purchasing flowers that will be a surprise to customers who visit the store. 

In addition to flowers, they also handle a variety of plants such as branches and succulents. It seems that they put a lot of effort into the branches. If you are looking for foliage plants to decorate your room, you may find your favorites that you cannot find at other flower shops!

In the back, there is also a dried flower corner where the atmosphere changes completely! Pretty and cute dried flowers are an excellent item that will instantly create a stylish space when you decorate it in your room.

Internet sales of flowers saved the crisis of the family business
"Fujii Shoten -FUJII SYOTEN-"

This time, we interviewed Mr. Ryosuke Fujii, the owner of "TAIYO FLOWER", about the circumstances leading up to the opening of the shop.

Mr. Ryosuke Fujii, the owner of "TAIYO FLOWER"

– Mr. Fujii, please tell us how you came to start a flower shop.

Fujii: "After graduating from university, I worked for a long-established textile trading company in Nagoya. While gaining various experiences as a salaried worker, I always thought that one day I would like to start some kind of business on my own.

Since the family business was originally a flower wholesaler, "life with flowers" was a normal part of my daily life since I was a child. I was informed by my mother that the family business, Fujii Shoten, had been severely affected by the COVID-19 and was in danger of going out of business. I was advised that Fujii Shoten might go out of business if things continued as they were, and I wondered if there was anything I could do to help. And so was born the Fujii Shoten retail division, which operates a service that delivers flowers via the Internet."

Various companies are struggling with the deterioration of business performance due to the impact of the COVID-19, and the flower arrangement industry is one of them. Due to the cancellation of events and ceremonial occasions, the distribution of flowers has decreased, and the word "flower loss" has increased in news and SNS.

While working as an office worker at a general company, Mr. Fujii came up with the idea of selling OHANA BAGs and other flowers on the Internet under the name "FUJII SHOTEN".

"I want to deliver the charm of flowers to various people while reducing flower loss". It was started with the aim of creating a win-win relationship for both the recipient and the giver.

The charm of "OHANA BAG" is that you can easily carry the purchased flowers in a clear plastic bag. Some people may have felt a little embarrassed or felt the eyes of others just by holding a large bouquet.

The "OHANA BAG" is filled with the desire to make the flower culture in Japan more like that of other countries, where flowers are everywhere when you walk down the street and men casually buy flowers to give as gifts to their women.

By putting it in a transparent bag with a handle, you can carry flowers stylishly and smartly.

This is a great way to send flowers to someone you love, but are not used to buying them and hesitate. This is a great way for such people to enjoy flowers in a casual way!

In addition to OHANA BAG, there is also a "regular delivery of flowers". This is a regular flower delivery service for people who are usually busy with work or housework and find it difficult to buy flowers.

Mr. Fujii's strong commitment is also here! Recently, we often see a regular delivery service of flowers delivered to the post. However, Mr. Fujii's regular mail does not deliver to the post. The reason for this is to keep the length of each flower as long as possible and to improve the quality when delivered.

The voluminous regular service packed with seasonal flowers is attractive because you can freely choose the price and frequency from 2,000 yen per time. You can easily enjoy a life with flowers at home.

While valuing our 50-year history,
I want to create a new style.

– Then, how was “TAIYO FLOWER” born?

Mr. Fujii: "This store was originally a flower shop in a town called 'Taiyo Flower' that had been in business for about 50 years. The owner was a customer of Fujii Shoten, and I've known him since I was little. He also knows about the activities of the retail division (FUJII SYOTEN).

I was consulted that it would be difficult to continue the shop due to the influence of COVID-19 and the elderly. Then, I was asked if I could run a flower shop instead. I replied that please let me do it. At that time, I had the opportunity to retire from the company and take on the big challenge of owning my own flower shop. ”

– Although it is the same flower business, it is not a form of taking over the family business. Were there any conflicts or hesitation when making a decision?

Mr. Fujii:"Of course there was. I think it took a lot of courage to take on a new challenge in a new place, while still respecting both existing customers and the customers of the retail division (Fujii Shoten - FUJII SYOTEN-) that we have been working with. But more than that, I had a strong desire to build a new florist shop while cherishing the good old things."

Challenging new things can be intimidating for everyone. However, if you have a passion and dream in yourself, it is important to try anything. From Mr. Fujii's words, I felt the passion that made my heart move greatly.

– Please tell us about the concept of “TAIYO FLOWER”, a dream of owning your own store.

Mr. Fujii:"Since we inherited the historical TAIYO FLOWER and opened a new shop, the concept is to take on the challenge of a new style while valuing the good history rooted in the town.

I did not start my own florist business after training at other florists, but rather from a different industry, so I think that will be one of my weapons. I want to create a new style of florist, one that is not bound by the usual assortment and methods, but one that challenges itself in many different ways."

If you look around the store, you can feel the "new style" that Mr. Fujii calls. What impressed me was the selection of flowers. The language of the flower is written next to the name of the flower. It was very unique, and I felt Mr. Fujii's commitment.

"TAIYO FLOWER" is a place where the phrase "a flower shop that doesn't look like a flower shop" comes to mind. It is an exciting flower shop where you can make new discoveries and encounters just by visiting.

These colorful containers are made by collecting and remaking unnecessary plastic products and bottles. It's cute as a vase and as an interior! I didn't realize it was a remake until Mr. Fujii told me.

It is very nice that these SDGs initiatives are communicated in a visible way.

In addition, we have a lot of flower bases and planters. You can enjoy shopping even more by buying a set with the flowers and plants in the shop!

Not only OHANA BAG, but also bouquets and flower arrangements are attractive! The arrangement of "TAIYO FLOWER", where you can feel Mr. Fujii's friendly personality and sense, is perfect not only as a gift, but also as a reward for yourself or a small celebration.

"I want to meet this person"!
Creating a store that makes you feel that way

At night, the mood is different from the daytime atmosphere!

Mr. Fujii, who always looks at new things and continues to convey the splendor of flowers in various ways. We asked Mr. Fujii about the future prospects of "TAIYO FLOWER."

Mr. Fujii:"Taiyo Flower is a local flower shop, and even now, grandpas and grandmas come to visit us every day. While valuing those customers so that they can be recognized, we are increasing the new customer base. I'm trying to create a space that will attract more people who want to visit even from far away, so I don't think that's a problem.

No matter how good the flowers or the space, the most important thing is the personality of the customer. I would like to create a florist where people come to meet "Ryosuke Fujii". I also want to create a store where each staff member, not just myself, has many fans and people want to come and see him or her.

The Japanese-style flower logo mark drawn on the floor of the shop, combined with the four colorful lines, is eye-catching!

By the time I finished listening to the story, I myself had become a fan of "TAIYO FLOWER"! I look forward to my next visit.

“TAIYO FLOWER” is loved by people of all ages. We are looking forward to new challenges in the future! Whether you live nearby or not, please visit them. I'm sure you will become a fan of "TAIYO FLOWER" too!