Reviving Travel Memories at Home with Onko Chishin Selection

Bringing Travel Experiences to Daily Life

Onko Chishin Co., Ltd., based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is enhancing its official e-commerce site, "Onko Chishin Selection," which showcases a curated selection of unique products from various regions across Japan. This initiative aims to foster connections with local communities while providing travelers the opportunity to relive their experiences long after their stay at destination hotels. The company's mission is to bring the emotions and stories of the people encountered during travels into daily life through thoughtfully selected merchandise.

In a departure from merely promoting local products, Onko Chishin Selection emphasizes the human stories behind these items. By focusing on the experiences shared with local artisans and farmers, the site offers visitors an avenue to not only purchase significant artifacts from their travels but to also implement these stories into their everyday lives. The dedication behind each product is palpable, as it relates to the warmth and cultivation of relationships characteristic of Onko Chishin's work.

The recent expansion of the selection includes produce grown by hotel and inn staff, beloved local ingredients and processed foods, as well as alcoholic beverages that express the essence of their regions. Each item tells a story—who made it and with what intentions, a narrative that reflects the connection that Onko Chishin has fostered with various communities.

Categories of Products

1. Retreats at Home: Relive the tranquility experienced during your travels with high-quality self-care items that evoke memories of comfortable hotel stays.
2. Gifts from the Journey: Share the memories of your travels with loved ones, offering them the warmth of local stories and backgrounds.
3. Craftsmanship that Spans Time: Celebrate the artisanship alive in each region with products crafted with meticulous care and tradition.
4. Onko Chishin Creations: Featuring products developed and nurtured by Onko Chishin staff, these items carry the essence and memories of their locales.
5. Curated Regional Spirits: Enjoy a selection of local alcoholic beverages, carefully chosen for their ability to convey the feelings and flavors of the regions experienced during travel.

The Story Behind the Flavors

Products at Onko Chishin Selection are far more than just items; they embody the memories of their respective locales. A prime example is rice cultivated by the Onko Chishin staff with a deep commitment to local nature. The head chef of "Ikkyu Retreat Kairi Murakami" in Iki Island cultivates "Hinohikari" rice using traditional sun-drying methods, while staff from "Setouchi Retreat Aonagi" in Matsuyama practice rice farming harmoniously with diverse wildlife.

Japan’s rice farming faces critical transitions, including climate stresses like extreme heat and water shortages, along with aging populations and abandoned agricultural lands. The shift from once-abundant supplies to confronting “rice shortages” has brought the need for local food security into focus. Rather than viewing these challenges as mere societal issues, Onko Chishin sees them as deeply interwoven with their daily lives and work, fostering relationships with local farmers to ensure a sustainable cycle.

Now, Onko Chishin offers these experiences directly to consumers, enriching their tables with the stories and memories embedded in each grain of rice.

In addition to rice, Onko Chishin is now introducing a curated lineup of wines. These selections come from encounters made through local connections, aiming to deliver the spirit of the journey into homes. One standout is a special wine set curated by the sommelier of "Setouchi Retreat Aonagi," designed to elevate everyday meals and make wine tasting approachable for newcomers.

Experience in the Glass

Furthermore, to enhance customer engagement, presentation videos where the sommeliers share their selections and stories are made available. This allows consumers to not just enjoy the wines but also connect with their background and enjoyment methods—transforming it into an experience beyond taste alone.

As Onko Chishin continues to innovate within the realm of destination hotels and local connections, they also seek to share these unique experiences with a wider audience. The goal is to enhance daily living with the memories of travel, providing a touch of local enchantment in each product offered.

For more product information, please visit the official e-commerce site: Onko Chishin Selection.

About Onko Chishin Co., Ltd.

Onko Chishin specializes in the operation and production of hotels and ryokans (traditional inns). They operate a unique array of properties, including Michelin five-star small luxury hotels, traditional inns, stadium-integrated hotels, and art museum restaurants. Their philosophy as "small emissaries of local brilliance" drives them to shape encounters that are both unique and memorable for guests, while continually exploring new possibilities in destination hospitality.