[The City Where 【 Nanamika Fits Right In] Vol. 1: A Local Cruise Exploring Fukuoka’s Food, Clothing, and Housing.

〈nanamica〉’s classic clothing, designed to blend seamlessly into everyday life, looks just as good on your usual streets as it does against the backdrop of a travel destination. We’ll explore the appeal of this brand through its shops in various cities. For our first installment, we headed to Fukuoka, where the brand’s first regional store opened. After checking out the latest fall/winter items at “nanamica FUKUOKA,” we made a special detour to visit some local spots worth the extra trip. Here’s a guide to side trips that will satisfy your curiosity about food, fashion, and lifestyle.

• Photo_Shunsuke Kondo
• Edit_Soma Takeda

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It’s been 16 years since it opened. nanamica FUKUOKA has embarked on a new chapter.

The Daimyo area, located just a short distance from Tenjin, Kyushu’s premier entertainment district. Dotted with trendy vintage clothing stores and independent restaurants beloved by locals, it’s a neighborhood where you’re bound to stumble upon something interesting even if you’re just wandering aimlessly. Nestled on a street lined with fashion brand flagship stores and select shops in the heart of Daimyo is “nanamica FUKUOKA.”

The store opened in August 2008. Fukuoka was chosen as the location for the brand’s first regional store, following the opening of its first flagship store, “nanamica DAIKANYAMA,” in 2004. With easy access to the “ocean”—the brand’s central concept—and a compact concentration of culture, including food, music, and art, Fukuoka was undoubtedly the ideal location for nanamica, a brand dedicated to creating clothing that is an integral part of everyday life.

"nanamica FUKUOKA" took on its current form in August 2024. I’ve heard that when it first opened, it had the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned independent boutique, with plenty of wood used in the decor, but following a major renovation, it has now been transformed into a clean, open space.

A framework reminiscent of a beach house—a feature also seen at other “Nanamika” locations—stands in the center of the space. The wood has a vintage feel, which is no surprise, since it’s made from flooring reclaimed from the store before its renovation. This reflects Nanamika’s environmentally conscious approach, true to the brand’s love for the ocean.

As you pass through the entrance, the space up front features the collection, while the collection unfolds as you proceed further in. You can move seamlessly between these two brands—each with its own distinct roots in the ocean and the mountains—allowing you to explore the clothing at your own leisurely pace.

At the back of the store is the *The North Face Purple Label* section curated by *Nanamika*. The displays feature not only original items but also curated sneakers and socks, and the mixed-and-matched styling that expands the brand’s aesthetic is a highlight.

It’s interesting how these spatial layouts and ways of displaying clothing naturally allow each store’s unique character to shine through.

For example, at “nanamica FUKUOKA,” you’ll sometimes find multiple sizes of the same item hanging on the racks. This is a thoughtful touch designed to let customers enjoy the experience of actually picking up the clothes to find the size that fits them best. Depending on the item, they may display it with buttons undone or sleeves rolled up—a touch designed to showcase the garment’s authentic look even when it’s hanging on the rack.

Although we live in an age where you can buy the same items online, the clothing you’ll find at “nanamica FUKUOKA”—a store known for its creativity and ingenuity—is sure to make a different impression than what you see on a screen. That alone makes it worth making the trip to the physical store.

And chatting with the shop staff there is one of the highlights. You can take inspiration from their styling, or ask them for recommendations on their favorite lunch spots. Even if there’s a store in the city where you live, we hope you’ll pop in when you’re visiting as a tourist. You’re sure to have new experiences that you can only find in that area.

Shop staff members at "nanamica FUKUOKA": Mr. Matoba (left) and Mr. Yamaguchi (right).

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Wear this outfit for a fall stroll through the city.

Although the lingering heat of late summer is still hanging on, the new fall/winter collection from *Nanamika* is starting to appear on the racks in our store one after another. Among this impressive lineup—so extensive it’s hard to choose—here’s an item that deserves special attention.

2L PERTEX UNLIMITED Cruiser Jacket ¥59,400

At first glance, this fabric has a matte, subdued texture reminiscent of cotton, but it is actually a two-layer “PERTEX® UNLIMITED” fabric that offers excellent wind resistance and breathability, along with a durable water-repellent finish. True to its name, the “Cruiser Jacket” is a reliable companion for cruising through the city during early fall, when the weather is unpredictable.

The silhouette offers a comfortably relaxed fit, and the hood and hem feature adjusters that allow you to customize the fit. Additionally, the house check pattern of the lining peeks through, adding a subtle accent when worn with the front open or on the inside of the hood.

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A Guide to Taking Detours, Starting with nanamica FUKUOKA.

When you slip on a reliable outerwear piece for a stroll through the city in early fall, you’ll naturally find yourself wanting to wander aimlessly through the neighborhood. These aren’t just fashion items for dressing up—they’re everyday clothes that blend seamlessly into your daily life. Those drawn to Nanamica’s clothing surely enjoy their daily lives—including “food” and “housing”—just as much as they enjoy their “clothing.” With that in mind, we’ve selected some intriguing spots you’ll want to stop by right after leaving “nanamica FUKUOKA.”

SPOT01_LIGHT YEARS

Since it’s already a well-known, renowned shop, it may go without saying, but if you’re visiting Fukuoka, you simply can’t pass this place by. The store is filled with vintage rugs sourced from all over the world—including India, Morocco, and Africa—as well as beautifully handcrafted folk art. Most of these are one-of-a-kind pieces you’ll never find anywhere else. No matter how many times you visit, you’re sure to make new discoveries—it’s like going on a treasure hunt every single time.

SPOT02_Yamakyo-ya

Daruma dolls, kokeshi dolls, and maneki-neko—a room in an apartment crammed to the brim with folk toys from all over Japan is a charming, humor-filled wonderland. The items, personally collected by the shop owner, Mr. Segawa—who also works as a Daruma painter—each convey the warmth of their creators and the local atmosphere. There are very few places in all of Japan where you can see such a vast collection of folk toys all at once. It’s the perfect spot for finding unique souvenirs. Incidentally, we hear that the staff at “nanamica FUKUOKA” are also frequent visitors.

SPOT03_Bookstore Aohata

One of the few independent bookstores in Fukuoka specializing in art books. The selection—curated around the theme of “visual culture”—includes domestic and international photography books, art and graphic design books, magazines, and zines. With many independent publications rarely found in Japan, even a casual visit offers the chance to discover new artistic sensibilities. Exhibitions by artists with whom the store has close ties, held in the attached gallery, are another highlight.

SPOT04_Hobo Beer Store

〈Hobo Brewing〉 brews craft beer at breweries across the country without a fixed location. At this company-owned store, you can casually enjoy their original beers right from midday. What’s more, every beer label features highly artistic designs. Once you’ve picked a bottle that catches your eye, the best way to enjoy it is to pop the cap right there and have a quick drink. By the way, the beer pictured here is “KEGO WyWy BEER,” inspired by the Kego neighborhood where the shop is located.

SPOT05_Mon an

While local specialties like motsu-nabe and Hakata ramen are fantastic, seeking out multinational flavors is another way for connoisseurs to enjoy an evening out. Asia, Europe, South America, and the Mediterranean coast—this restaurant lets you savor ethnic cuisines from around the world paired with drinks. Each dish, born from a free-spirited approach that transcends culinary genres, promises an exciting dining experience where you’ll discover flavors you’ve never tasted before. While you can enjoy authentic cuisine, the atmosphere inside the restaurant is surprisingly casual—another delightful aspect.