STONE MARKET Expands Its Presence with New Store at UNESCO Site Ninna-ji Temple

New Store Opening at Ninna-ji Temple

Stone Market, headquartered in Fukuoka and led by President Hikaru and Chairman Taijiro Nakamura, has proudly announced the grand opening of a new store located within the sacred grounds of Ninna-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on November 21, 2025. This momentous event is not merely a new addition to the retail landscape; it represents a significant milestone in merging culture with commerce.

A Unique Opportunity in a Cultural Heritage Site

The selection process for establishing business ventures within Ninna-ji is notably stringent due to the importance of protecting cultural heritage. It is rare for any national chain to secure a permanent presence in such an esteemed location. This successful venture emphasizes the trust and reliability Stone Market has cultivated over the years, along with innovative strategies championed by Hikaru and Nakamura. Their visions encompass a new market that combines "culture, experience, and lifestyle," and this store serves as a testament to their commitment to breaking new ground in retail.

New Experiences in a Historical Setting

Ninna-ji Temple, revered for its historical ties to the imperial family and acclaimed globally for its beauty, offers Stone Market a unique platform to present new consumer values. The store aims to deliver an experiential value that's rooted in the synergy of "prayer, culture, nature," and "natural stones." Key objectives include:

- Introducing unique experiences of purchasing that interweave cultural narratives with products.
- Tapping into the special gift demand that comes from the temple's environment.
- Creating exclusive natural stone items to attract the tourism market specifically in Ninna-ji.

This initiative is not just about sales; it symbolizes a strategic expansion into a new market that harmonizes commerce with cultural richness and offerings.

Accelerating National Expansion by Leveraging Cultural Resources

The newly established Ninna-ji location represents the first step in Stone Market's broader strategy of connecting "cultural resources" with lifestyle branding. With this model established, future expansion plans include introducing Stone Market stores into historical cities, key temples and cultural facilities, and cultural tourism areas nationwide, focused on the enhancement of both culture and tourism.

By replicating the success of the Ninna-ji store, Stone Market is set to vigorously advance its long-term vision of promoting Japanese natural stone culture on a global scale.