Theme: A New Gathering Place for Travelers

URBAN RESEARCH DOORS Toranomon Store offers a curated selection of "long-life design" items, from clothing carefully chosen from both domestic and international sources to miscellaneous goods, cosmetics, and food products. The apparel section includes both men's and women's wear, featuring reasonably priced original products.

Furthermore, a conceptual book corner, "SOMOSOMO BOOKS," spanning approximately 5 tsubo (about 16.5 square meters), has also debuted, with the theme of "deciphering the stories behind the products and understanding the essence of things."



Soya Oikawa, PR at Urban Research and the driving force behind SOMOSOMO BOOKS, shared his thoughts on the launch: "The project name originates from the question: in today's world overflowing with things, are we truly conscious of what they mean to us 'in the first place'? For example, when looking at or interacting with items like shoes, tableware, or T-shirts, if we consider 'what does this mean to me?', our choices will surely change. We operate a select shop that sells goods, but by making consumption interesting in this way, aren't we moving closer to essential consumption behavior?"

Within the 5 tsubo space, custom book wagons crafted by the DIY art collective "GELCHOP" are arranged, showcasing approximately 3,000 books across 11 genres, including "CITY," "LIFE," and "HISTORY."

Oikawa explained, "With the full support of Hiroto Hosoe from the long-established bookstore 'Tenshindō' in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, we selected books that could be linked to the fashion items we handle." He added, "We want to create a store where customers and staff can have many conversations about books. We aim for a space where books, products, staff, and customers can share experiences."

Experience Culinary Encounters Through "Travel"

Adjacent to URBAN RESEARCH DOORS Toranomon Store is TINY GARDEN KITCHEN Toranomon Store, a cafe diner themed around "traveling spices." It features ingredients and spices gathered from various regions, selected according to the season. During the day, it offers a menu centered on sandwiches made with seasonal ingredients, and in the evening, it operates as a bar restaurant where guests can enjoy drinks.

The restaurant also offers special sandwiches in collaboration with the new-concept app magazine "japan jikkan," allowing guests to experience encounters with ingredients through the lens of "travel."

URBAN RESEARCH DOORS Toranomon Store
2-17-4 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6452-9335
Business Hours | 11:00 - 20:00
http://www.urdoors.com/


TINY GARDEN KITCHEN Toranomon Store
Tel. 03-6452-9260
Business Hours | 11:00 - 23:00
http://www.urban-research.co.jp/foodandlifestyle/tinygardenkitchen/


SOMOSOMO BOOKS
http://www.urban-research.co.jp/somosomobooks/