travelSpencer HungApril 14, 2017

One Hit Wonder

travelSpencer HungApril 14, 2017

Ginza, famous for its glamorous and over the top fashion shopping experience and high end fine dinning restaurants, actually has a calm and minimalistic side we don't see very often.

“...it oozes unique Japanese charm that few can resist.”

Hidden away in the back alley in Ginza, "Morioka Shoten" is not the easiest place to find. When I visited, I must have wondered around the area, took out my phone and try to turn myself to the right direction. I have to admit I am not the best person to ask for direction but the place itself has a very small store front and blend in with the surrounding.

"Morioka Shoten" is a bookstore only sells one book, one title per week to be exact. Just in concept alone, it oozes unique Japanese charm that few can resist. Opened on 2015, it is relatively new but are curated and operated by a team of industry veterans. Along with the book, they also curate exhibition inspired by the book, which all took place inside a room that can barely fit in two cars.

I can't help myself to compare the Room to Sen no Rikyū's (one of the most important tea master who shaped the Japanese way of tea) take on the Japanese tea room. It is perfectly imperfect. A few tables display the book of the week and the exhibition casually but thoughtfully set on the table. You may also find a few sketches haphazardly taped on the textured wall. It really is an acquired taste.

No, I didn't buy anything, but if you are in Ginza and overwhelmed by the high-fashion flagship stores, take a little trip here and experience this one of a kind bookstore.

大家對銀座的印象，應該是奢華時尚和高級料理吧？但是這個華麗的城市其實有幽靜與簡約的一面隱藏在小巷子裡。

“森岡書店”不是個好找的地方。當我去的時候，我在附近繞了好久。我還把手機拿出來，在原地轉了好幾圈才找到。我不得不承認，我不是很有方向感但“森岡書店”實在是太低調了。也許這就是他們想訴求的吧？

“...一種少數能抵抗的日式魅力。”

“森岡書店”是一家小書店。他是每週只賣一本書的小書店。不，他是一家每週只賣一種書的小書店。光聽這個概念，就顯現出一種少數能抵抗的日式魅力。2015年開始正式營運，雖然才兩年多（至2017年）但其實背後的團隊可是由一群業界資深人士策劃和經營。每週“森岡書店”會根據選的書做概念延伸出小型策展。全在一個停不進兩部車的空間裡。

走進這個空間，實在很難不跟一代茶聖千利休的茶室做比較。是一種侘寂的美。幾張簡單的桌子，不做作的放著幾個展品。凹凸不平的牆壁上隨意地貼著幾張圖。真的不是每個人都能體會它的美啊。

走出書店，我沒有買東西。它並不是”蔦屋書店“。如果你在銀座，被奢華淹沒時，請來這裡走走體驗一下這獨一無二的書店。