In Hirosaki City, “green” is a select store selling traditional crafts such as conventional “login-Sashi” stitching, household goods, and clothing. The store has miscellaneous goods designed to evoke the local Hirosaki culture. Top-rated items include book covers, business card holders, personal seal cases, and hair bands decorated with Kogin Sashimi.

Kogin Sashimi is a sashiko technique from the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture. It is one of the three major types of sashiko in Japan, along with Nanbu Hishi Sashiko from the Nambu region in Aomori Prefecture and Shonai Sashiko from Yamagata Prefecture. Originally developed in the Edo period (1603-1867) by farmers to mend the frayed edges of kimonos, this technique was also used to fill in the rough edges of hemp cloth to make it a little warmer in the cold Tsugaru region.
The traditional style is to embroider with white cotton thread on hemp cloth dyed with indigo.

This traditional image has been updated in this product, developed jointly by the store and the Hirosaki Kogin Kenkyujo. Its sophisticated design blends tradition with a modern sense of style.

On such a light gray-beige hemp ground, the threads are bright light blue, wild yellow, red, dark green, light gray, or black. Or, on a silver rat-colored fabric, a pale cherry blossom color. It is surprising how combining colors, design, and unity can create such a modern image.

The house, originally an eye doctor’s office, is a stylish Western-style building with blue-green accent colors and large glass windows that let in natural light. It used to be a clothing store. When the owner, Mr. Kobayashi, was looking for a place to open his first women’s boutique, he gave up on the idea because it was over his budget. Still, he could not forget it and decided to move in here. It is as if, by fate, the architecture has a bright and calm atmosphere that perfectly matches the current green atmosphere.

Conveniently located within walking distance of Hirosaki Station, the place is loved by tourists and locals.
The owner, Mr. Kobayashi, says, “We select goods that show the face of the maker, such as cultural and traditional Hirosaki crafts, fair trade goods, and goods made of earth-friendly natural materials. He adds, “We have a wide selection of goods that you can see the makers’ faces.
We recommend this store for personalized goods and for finding tasteful gifts and souvenirs.