Celebrating 123 Years: Etoile Kaito's Grand Event Highlights Japanese Craftsmanship and Retail Innovation

Etoile Kaito Celebrates 123 Years of Excellence

Etoile Kaito, headquartered in Nihonbashi Bakurocho, Tokyo, recently hosted a spectacular event to commemorate its 123rd anniversary over two days, November 4 and 5, 2025, at its showroom. This anniversary celebration aimed to enhance the enjoyment of "Monozukuri" (Japanese manufacturing) and promote unique retail experiences. The event brought together suppliers, member retail stores, and local stakeholders to forge connections between the art of crafting and frontline retailing through engaging programs.

Showcasing Japanese Craftsmanship

Etoile Kaito, known for its passion for products, dedicates itself to bridging the gap between the artisans' skills and stories behind their creations and the retail environment. This year, the company organized "Supplier Talk Events" at its showroom, allowing attendees to gain insights into the traditions and materials that residents across Japan employ in their craftsmanship. These discussions facilitated a unique platform for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to collaboratively rediscover the joy of creation and the inherent value of products.

The event featured informative seminars and workshops, including:

- Dr. Berth's Corporation: Learning about commitment to craftsmanship and skincare solutions.
- Shimazaki Corporation: The secrets of creating extraordinary innerwear through dialogue.
- Bunaco Corporation: A hands-on workshop exploring the Aomori artisan crafts of BUNACO.
- Yamashiro-ya: An in-depth look at the allure of seaweed.
- Kinukan: A demonstration of the artistry behind the "Asakusa Bunko", traditional hand-painted Yuzen experiences.
- Oruga Corporation: Insights into unique techniques for producing premium domestic knits.

Supporting Retail Innovation

Etoile Kaito positions its showroom as a place where creativity thrives, continuously offering curated ideas for creating effective retail spaces through themed "editing". They provide practical tips, such as "mini-stories" on product sales with comments from buyers and sales staff, as well as "sample testing opportunities" for visitors to try products firsthand. The showroom aims to foster new relationships with exciting products while ensuring that customers also appreciate the stories and experiential values associated with those offerings. As part of the anniversary celebration, they expanded these opportunities to create richer engaging experiences.

Event Highlights

- Natural and Human-Centered Craftsmanship of Setouchi
- Sustainable Fashion Events on Avoiding Waste
- Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Rainbow Bear
- Experiencing Nishikawa and Rose Tecni
- Large Scale Tasting Events
- Ise Tatsu Zodiac-themed Festivities
- Pop-Up Shop by Geckou with Swag Displays
- Thank You Lottery for the 123rd Anniversary

Optimizing the Showroom's Role

Etoile Kaito continuously strives to create an ecosystem where artisans rooted in their local cultures can thrive alongside retailers that uplift daily living experiences. By establishing the showroom as a tangible place to convey product value, the company enhances purchasing convenience through its online B2B platform, ETONET. This synergy between physical and digital channels drives increased customer engagement.

Furthermore, retail spaces have evolved beyond mere selling points; they increasingly serve as community hubs where ideas around product selection, presentation, and storytelling come alive. This showroom initiative supports member stores in creating inviting retail environments that enrich the daily lives of customers throughout Japan.

Expanding Local Success and Cultural Engagement

As a hub for local success, Etoile Kaito emphasizes the importance of bridging the digital with the physical realm, as well as creating connections between makers and sellers within their communities. This commitment reinforces daily life and cultural vibrancy. Notably, Bakurocho and Yokoyamacho, historical districts where the company has thrived for over 120 years, are undergoing significant transformations, attracting new creative industries and lifestyle professionals.

The upcoming Tokyo Biennale 2025, held concurrently with the anniversary event, reflects this cultural shift. Etoile Kaito began its support of this arts festival in 2023. This year's theme, "Shall We Take a Walk Together?" focuses on discovering beauty hidden in everyday life. This initiative aims to deepen engagement with local residents and businesses, ultimately fostering a unique community-driven model of co-creation rooted in Bakurocho and Yokoyamacho.