LOCAL TOUCH
by ALPSCITY pay

SHIORI-BI
Owner: Toru KIKUCHI

“I wanted to create my own Starbucks, Third place for people in the local community.”

#activity

The cafe is located a 13-minute walk straight down the main street from the east exit of JR Matsumoto Station. Its name is SHIORI-BI; SHIORI means bookmark in English, and BI means daily life. This name is intended to make the day you visit this café a little more special, just as you might want to tuck in a bookmark when you encounter an impressive piece of writing.

When you enter the glass-walled store, you will see a letterpress machine. The store was renovated, leaving the old electric appliance shop. The owner, Toru, says, "I wanted to preserve the old scenery of the town of Matsumoto.

The cafe offers a breakfast menu starting at 7 a.m. The second floor sells 1,500 books, including zines and art books. There is also a gallery space. Matsumoto is also known as a city of art and folk crafts. It attracts many tourists as well as local regulars.

Tatsuya Yamamoto, who runs ALPSCITY pay Local Touch, is also a regular visitor to SHIORI-BI. The idea for ALPSCITY pay was also born from a conversation between Toru and Tatsuya. Next to the cafe is the largest theater in Matsumoto. It is truly a cultural hub for the city of Matsumoto.

Toru worked part-time at Starbucks when he was a student. This experience sparked his interest in Third place culture. Third place is a place that is different from the first place, home, or the second place, school or work. Third place is a comfortable community space where visitors can be themselves. “I started thinking about creating my own Starbucks, Third place for people in the local community," Toru says.

Toru opened SHIORI-BI in 2013. It was in a different building alongside his current store; in 2016 he moved to its current location and turned the original into a guesthouse. He also took over the public bathhouse across the street from his store (The bathhouse was supposed to be closed).

Toru is not a native of Matsumoto. He met his wife Nozomi while working at a Japanese Inn in Matsumoto after graduating from college. It led him to the city of Matsumoto. You can enjoy scones baked by Nozomi at SHIORI-BI. It tastes gentle. Try it!

Toru’s vision of creating Third place in the local community now extends to the entire city of Matsumoto. He is now a member of the Matsumoto city council. But he has no special office; Toru is at SHIORI-BI as long as he has time, listening to the people.