A neighborhood that constantly broadcasts Tokyo’s culture to the world. Ware-mo-Kou is located in an alley near the main street of Shibuya. The concept ‘indigenous and imported’ was created to be a new cultural transition hub. Every season, themes are not only set in fashion but also in art, music, books and food. The shop displays a unique variety of items selected from around the globe.

The exterior’s subtle tile facade serves as Ware-Mo-Kou’s signature, setting it apart from its surroundings. The interior reveals itself once you pass through at the entrance tunnel, fitted with a window of enlightenment that releases all worldly desires. The first sights which present themselves are materials that have been used in Japan for centuries. Plater-covered walls, gourds, Japanese paper, stone and tatami combined with modern materials expressed in a minimalistic space. The results are a bracing and vivid breath of fresh air.

Pallets have been used as displays, vintage ‘Klipsch’ speakers play a variety of worldwide tunes. Each of these components will stimulate your curiosity. The gallery in the back of the main floor displays themed exhibitions that constantly stir the era. The floor’s resin treatment gives it such a shine you will mistake it for water. It lends a nothingness to the spirits of those who step on it so that the result stands out even more.

In the basement you will find an area designed to wander. Fashion, art and hand picked international books provoke even more curiosity and stimulate the spirits of visiting guests with inquiry. The shop’s staff amplifies the experience even more, creating an atmosphere that stimulates all 5 senses. Ware Mo Kou is not just a place to enjoy shopping, it is a place that pleasantly connects people with concepts and broadcasts new cultures.

Ito Masaru Design Project / SEI