Fukuoka's new hangout . The whole story of MERICAN BARBERSHOP FUK with cafe & bar lounge.
Foreign barbershop culture is becoming popular in Japan. While the number of unique barbershops that crossover with fashion, music, and lifestyle is increasing, Meriken Barbershop in Kobe has established a unique position in the Kansai region. The new store, which opened in April in Fukuoka City, is a coffee shop and bar lounge that also hosts a variety of events, but its location is on the basement floor, which is a bit difficult to enter. Takuya Yuno, the representative of BARBERSHOP, Takeshi Miyata, the master, and Yuto Numata, the barber, reveal their conception of this unprecedented barbershop.
. Born in 1978. After working for a foreign company, he established "MERICAN BARBERSHOP" in his hometown, Kobe. In April of this year, he opened a branch in Fukuoka. With flexible ideas that make the most of his background, he is a creator of hybrid experiments that cannot be found in ordinary barbershops.
First of all, I would like to ask you how "Meriken Barbershop Fukuoka" opened, why Fukuoka?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)A friend's brand came to Fukuoka, and when I went to visit him, I fell in love with Fukuoka . I had no connection to Fukuoka before that, but my friend encouraged me to open a store there, and I felt that there were things I couldn't accomplish at the Kobe store, so I decided to open a store there as a place where I could fill the space with those things. At the Kobe restaurant, customers can drink beer and coffee, but it was not possible to have a coffee shop and a bar lounge in the same space due to the structure of the restaurant.
It's been three months since you opened on April 21, but you started from scratch. It takes a lot of energy to drive it in a place you have no connection to.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations). yes, it is. . there's no community, no network, and the store is on the basement floor of a small building a short distance from the station. The concept of this restaurant was "speakeasy" (speakeasy undercover) during the era of alcohol prohibition in the U.S. . I wanted to create a luxurious atmosphere that was hidden back then, so the basement floor was ideal.
There is no sign out front, and this is the only landmark. When you open the door and go down the stairs, you will see a barber's space, and the coffee shop & bar lounge space extends behind the barber's space.
. but isn't it a hurdle to have to go underground?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)He asked me where the entrance was (laughs). Before this restaurant, it was a jazz bar that had been in business for about 20 years, and it was also a famous place where Keisuke Kuwata and Tamio Okuda used to stop by. Incidentally, the bar counter that was here at the time was apparently once featured in "Golgo 13," which is also irresistible, isn't it? I wanted to make this space a place where people gather in a different way from a club.
I would say it matches the tone and manner of this space. I think this is the only barber bar in such a location (laughs).
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations). It requires a sense of humor and intelligence (laughs). Barbershop culture is popular in Japan, but it wouldn't be us if we copied the barbershop culture from overseas. While sampling, we also included the Japanese element of a coffee shop. Barbershops and coffee shops are both good places, but if they are kept in the old style, they are no longer supported by young people. We don't want to lose this industry, and that is why our theme of "neo-classic" is to redefine something familiar in everyday life with our own sensibility.
It is a "neo-classic" for a barbershop to hold a club culture event.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)Yes, on July 28th, we will be holding a mobile music event here in Osaka called "WE WANT". It will also be an album release party, and the hip-hop group YuruFuwa Gang will perform. Incidentally, we are having a party at our Kobe location at the end of August to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, and it will be held at Ikuta Shrine (laughs). . On that day, I'm thinking of setting up a turret and doing a bon dance.
It's an upper, but it's a business. This sense of balance is amazing.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)Our position is to be street smart. We are connected to the street while also being smart (business). Once a brand is created, it must be monetized.
You have a good approach to combining a barber with something to create a new experience.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)There seems to be a culture in Europe called "Barbershop / (slash)", where they put a florist or whatever in the back of the barbershop. That has the effect of making the barbershop look good because the barbershop is branded, and the florist looks good. Through Meriken's filter, everything behind the bar looks beautiful.
. I would like to make people aware of things here that they didn't know before.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)Yes, yes. That's how barbershops used to be. If you were going to do something new in town, you were told to go to the barbershop and say hello. I want to bring that culture back. The same goes for coffee shops. They used to be a place where you could get a good time, and I want to teach that to the younger generation.
Mr. Yuno, you value context.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)We need to put design and story into it, not just do something. If you don't make something that no one else can imitate, it's not interesting. . I'm trying to make it cool, and that's my hook. I will be launching a new grooming brand within this year, and as part of it, I will be making hair styling products. . It's still a secret, but I'm planning to team up with a certain well-established company.
As a representative of Meriken Barbershop, what do you hope to achieve in Fukuoka?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)What I would like to achieve most is to make Meriken a place where something is connected to something else. . For that to happen, this place needs to become a parade of thorns to help people understand something. If there are no thorns, they will not stick. Also, Fukuoka is accessible to Asia and its culture is overflowing, and it would be bad if we could create an Asian hub here.
Neoclassical master statues at this location.
Takeshi Miyata / MERICAN BARBERSHOP Master
Meriken Barbershop has a "neo-classic" concept, Miyata-san, as a coffee shop and bar master, how do you incorporate that?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)For example, in my mind, Neapolitan is a neo-classic. Usually, pasta is boiled and stir-fried with ketchup sauce and other seasonings, but our base is made with tomato sauce and ketchup and other seasonings. . We also use chanpon noodles instead of pasta. . I think that's how we update the dish in a crazy way.
I understand that the menu for the coffee shop and bar consists of orthodox items.
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)It's a standard menu item. But I don't think there has ever been a jumbo pudding that big. I am confident that the taste is professional and not just the impact of the looks, and I am aiming for that gap between the two. For the melon cream soda, I wanted to make the ice cream bigger, the syrup thicker, and the carbonation stronger to fulfill my desire. I also brought in the Kansai culture of mixed juice, which is a Kansai classic.
Why have you narrowed down the number of products considerably?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations). It all boils down to providing our customers with our commitment. We do not want to serve a large number of items to our customers, but rather, we want them to taste carefully selected items that convey our stance. . And, the message is that they should have a good time in this SPEAKEASY atmosphere.
As the essence of SPEAKEASY, Mr. Miyata's snoop-dog-like braids are very strong (laughs).
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)You'll remember me in one shot (laughs).
What is the point of a bar menu?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)I am promoting Jameson, an Irish whiskey. Jameson supports the male cancer awareness movement "Movember" not only in Tokyo, but globally, and various international barbers are participating in it. So there is a story to tell and the chemistry is great. I love the taste of Jameson itself, and I think it would be very typical for us to have Neapolitan food with alcohol.
What are your specialties as a master?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)I am proud of the word "master. A master or a bartender is able to take a hint from a customer's conversation and serve a drink that suits that person's taste. . That is a skill, and there are some drinks that we dare not put on the menu.
What is your vision for the coffee shop and bar?
field affiliated with a shrine (the tax-exempt proceeds of its harvest going to pay for shrine operations)I want to make this a place where people can come together and meet each other. I want to be a hub for that. I want it to be a place where lounge DJs are usually present and people can just come and enjoy themselves, and I want to continue to make drinks and food as a master of this place. I would like to create a new image of a master in a box called Meriken. That may be my own version of neo-classicism.
Through Barber's filter, a pleasant sense of discomfort.
Yuto Numata / MERICAN BARBERSHOP Barber
Mr. Numata, you are a barber, but you also direct visuals and events.
marshy rice field or paddyI have to have the skills as a barber, but it is also my job to produce and art-direct the restaurant and events. I think I can create a sense of discomfort based on the "neoclassical" style. I believe that what looks comfortable has a sense of discomfort. I noticed this in the chocolate mint ice cream. That is a mass of discomfort, isn't it? We are conscious of conveying our texture so that those who understand the addictiveness of ice cream can understand it.
It's also strange to have a barber sitting at the bar counter talking to customers (laughs).
marshy rice field or paddyFor customers who don't know us, they are a little nervous about coming underground and suddenly being asked for a drink, so the relationship begins with a sense of uneasiness. But they get their hair done and feel like they are in a cool place. . I think that's the kind of comfort that only Meriken can offer. Comfort is not just about healing.
What are some things you are aware of in your communication with nervous customers?
marshy rice field or paddyHello! (laughs). . This is a place where anxiety turns into comfort. It is rough but firm. I think the balance between the two is what is important.
Is there any feedback from having a coffee shop and a barber?
marshy rice field or paddyHaving customers of different genres and staff in one place has broken down many barriers within me. At first, I was prejudiced against masters. Hairdressers have passed a national exam and have a national license, but they do not need a license to do what they do. I thought anyone could do it. But as I listened to the master's passion for the sake and food he makes, I came to recognize that this is a job that only he can do. This was very important for me as we worked together on various events here.
Most recently, "WE WANT" will be held in this space. What do you focus on when it comes to producing and directing events?
marshy rice field or paddyIt is challenging to create an event in this peculiar space, but I strongly feel that I want the audience to feel something that can only be shown here. I don't think I could ever compete head-to-head with someone whose main job is directing. . So I'm trying to figure out what kind of interesting things I can do as a barber and how to win on a different playing field. I am sure that I will be able to create something more interesting if I express myself through the filter of a barbershop.
What kind of events would you like to plan in the future?
. I would like to create something surprising and beyond everyone's imagination. It is possible to produce something from an empty space, load a barber engine into it, and introduce fashion as a content, and barbershop is interesting just by combining it with something else. By expressing something unique in this way, I would like to stimulate the city of Fukuoka.
What are your thoughts on Fukuoka?
marshy rice field or paddyI feel that Fukuoka is a very unique city with a concentration of things, people, food, and culture, and there are all layers from the highest to the lowest, so there should be a place for everyone to fit in. However, I feel that it is a bit difficult to move back and forth between the two. Here in Fukuoka, we want to be a social hub where anyone can come together, be cool, accept each other's work, and break down all barriers, whether street, smart, or luxurious.
WE WANT LOS ANGELES feat. YuruFuwa Gang MARS ICE HOUSE Ⅱ RELEASE PARTY
WE WANT", a mobile music event from OSAKA, will be held in Fukuoka for the first time. The venue was the barbershop "MERICAN BARBERSHOP FUK". The two members of the YURUFUWA Gang appeared in a SPEAKEASY (Moguri no bar) style space with a BARBER at the entrance and a BAR LOUNGE in the back. The theme of the event was "NIGHTCLUB IN DTLA. Please come and experience the atmosphere that can only be experienced at "WE WANT", which will be developed in a thoroughly conceptual manner.
Venue: MERICAN BARBERSHOP FUK
Address: B1F Oak Building 2, 2-13-7 Kego, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Date: Saturday, July 28, 18:00-24:00 (6h)
Featuring: YuruFuwa Gang, SPINMASTER A-1, Lo-p, Weekend CityPlayBoys, Mr. coNYroo
FOOD: HOODERIA HOLA , HAND CUT DONUTS
Fee: Adv. ¥3,000 door. ¥3,500
P code: 122210 ticket.pia.jp/pia/event.ds?eventCd=1831267
MERICAN BARBERSHOP FUK
Address: B1F Oak Building 2, 2-13-7 Kego, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Hours: 11:00-15:00 / 17:00-23:00 (Barber)
12:00-15:00 (coffee shop)
17:00-26:00 (Bar-Lounge)
Closed: Tuesday (If Tuesday is a national holiday, closed the following day)
Phone: 092-771-5870
