Opened on Wednesday, March 30th, Shimokitazawa’s new area, Mikan Shimokita, is a collaboration between Keio Corporation and DRAFT Inc. Taiju Yamashita, DRAFT’s designer, oversaw the architectural design, interior design and concept work emphasizing Shimokitazawa as a place that will never be fully complete but rather endlessly continue to change. The area under the Keio Inokashira line underpass is divided into five districts and comprises Tsutaya Books complete with a lounge, a library counter where visitors can pick up and return reserved materials, as well as around 20 tenant-run businesses including a vintage clothing store and restaurants.

Taiju Yamashita was present at the press gathering hosted by Keio Corporation on Monday, March 28th. In his outline of the facility, he spoke about his thoughts regarding town re-development, relationship with locals and so on. Yamashita commented that, as a place known for its diversity in relation to art, theatrics, music, etc., it is important to treasure the constantly-changing, endless flow of culture of Shimokitazawa. Mikan Shimokita was born from free design inspired by the incomplete characteristic of the Shimokitazawa area, and it encourages visitors, locals, and tenants alike to continue trying new things and rising to new challenges. The press gathering served to boost expectations regarding future advancement prior to the opening with the aim of vitalizing the district on the whole through the fusion of DNA to date and new areas.