UNIKKO CAFE, a collaboration cafe between Finnish fabric brand Marimekko and Japanese confectionery shop HIGASHIYA, opened for a limited time from October 25th to November 3rd.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of UNIKKO, Marimekko's most iconic print, Marimekko held commemorative events in major cities around the world earlier this year. HIGASHIYA's approach of inheriting traditional techniques and sensibilities while creating innovative products suited to modern lifestyles shares similarities with the path Unikko has taken, leading to the opening of a collaboration cafe in Japan at the HIGASHIYA GINZA confectionery shop on Ginza Chuo-dori.
The interior of the store is decorated with colorful Unikko designs, from the fabric on the chairs to the paintings on the walls, and a limited-edition Unikko special plate has been introduced on the menu. The set includes salmon pressed sushi, cabbage rolls with blueberry sauce, lotus root pickled in sweet vinegar, bean soup, a Unikko-shaped Japanese sweet, and an original blend tea, priced at 2,500 yen. The adjacent sales area and HIGASHIYA man (Aoyama store) will also be selling take-out Unikko Japanese sweets wrapped in Unikko-patterned furoshiki wrapping cloths.
At the press preview held on the 24th, the Marimekko design team, who had come to Japan from their home country, and HIGASHIYA representative Ogata Shinichiro appeared together and held a talk session. "I first visited HIGASHIYA last April and was captivated by its beautiful Japanese atmosphere. I'm delighted that our prints were able to blend with Japanese culture. While Unikko is typically available in vivid colors, the wagashi we created showcased a new side of Unikko by using five natural, Japanese-inspired colors. Above all, I'm pleased that the sweets were delicious," said Tiina Alahuhta Kasko, Marimekko's Chief Operating Officer. Ogata added, "Marimekko and HIGASHIYA share many commonalities, such as our commitment to preserving tradition while also striving to innovate. This is our first collaboration with an overseas fabric manufacturer, and we immediately agreed. Unikko's greatest appeal lies in its simplicity, yet its ability to change with the size and color of the pattern, which is why it has endured so long. This collaboration has taught me the importance of creating symbolic pieces like this to pass on to future generations." To commemorate the opening of Unikko Cafe, Marimekko shops nationwide will be selling limited edition fabric bags in special anniversary colors, and will also be offering a free Unikko rice cracker gift with purchases of 10,000 yen or more.
