Meet Zushi-san and Masako-san, a mother-daughter duo from Aramatsu Shoten, a 260-year-old hardware shop. They are incredibly talkative, laugh often, and are just wonderfully energetic! Watching them is like catching a parent-child comedy act – they always leave you feeling uplifted.

Aramatsu Shoten's history dates back to 1761, in the mid-Edo period. It's located at the south entrance of Honmachi Shopping Street, at the T-junction where Miyosam Kaido (a historical route for feudal lords visiting the capital) and the old Yokaichi Kaido meet. Back then, Yokaichi was an established market town, bustling with people traveling along Miyosam Kaido and local residents.

Inside the store, you'll find a tightly packed array of traditional household goods, everyday items, and hardware made from natural materials like bamboo and wood. It's a precious place that offers visitors a glimpse into the wisdom of traditional living and a chance to see tools that are hard to find in modern times.

They are also an authorized dealer of the famous Tawashi (Kamenoko Tawashi) scrubbing brush.

You'll discover many old-fashioned items that younger generations might not know, such as "Yoshizu" (reed screens) from Lake Biwa, "Hinokigasa" (cypress hats), and "Nezumi-tori" (mousetraps).

They even have unique playing cards like the local "Yokaichi is a Town of Yokai (Monsters)" trump cards.

Be sure to ask Zushi-san and Masako-san about their products. They'll tell you all about them while throwing in some fun anecdotes.

Aramatsu Store has been watching over this area for many years. They are knowledgeable not only about their products but also about the history of this region and the local people, making them a constant source of learning.

It truly is a shop that brings joy to everyday life.

Come visit Aramatsu Store to find nostalgic items, things you've been searching for, and to get a boost of energy from Hisako and Masako!

(Photography by Yoshinori Yamazaki)

Aramatsu Shoten

Address: 13-9 Yokaichihonmachi, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture 527-0012

Phone Number: 0748-22-1226

Business Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Closed: Sundays and Mondays

Official Website: https://aramatsusyouten.com/