As Christmas approaches, many perhaps feel a greater sense of kindness. Spending time at Christmas Toys will deepen those feelings further. Teruhisa Kitahara, the owner of the store and a big fan of Christmas, opened Christmas Toys in September 1986. As the name suggests, it sells Christmas merchandise year round. The store is located in a Western-style building in Yamate and has been meticulously restored by hand, creating a relaxing atmosphere away from the chaos of everyday life.
Manager Masako Kannonbayashi tells us, “The store seeks to evoke an orthodox ‘red and green’ Christmas.” The various goods lined up on the shelves should be familiar to Christmas lovers. Eighty to ninety percent are imports, with about 2000 varieties and a total of 20,000 items filling the store. The most popular include snow globes, those almost theatrical orbs with changing appearance, and ornaments indispensable for Christmas.
Ms. Kannonbayashi, who has served innumerable customers, says she can envision their faces when she looks at the items on display. In fact, there are many who have been coming to the store for generations. She points out, “Some customers who have been coming here since they were young have grown up and started their own families. Recently, I had a group visit with four generations of their family!”
Christmas Toys treasures communication and connection with others and imbues us with that gentle feeling of Christmas. Located in Yamate, the store’s peaceful atmosphere will surely be cherished by people of all ages for years to come.