Apr 10, 2006
Ikea 4.5 Museum
Well, finally, we’re just a short two weeks away (April 24) from the opening of the Ikea Funabashi store, which marks Ikea’s return to the Japanese market. You can already see all items and prices online, but I was looking for a way to order a catalogue — Ikea still sends out catalogues, right? — but couldn’t find any info on how to do so (there are complete scans of it on their site though, which you can download as a PDF). In the meantime, they’ve set up outdoor showrooms in Aoyama, calling it Ikea 4.5 Museum (the 4.5 referring to rooms that are the size of 4 and a half tatami mats). The showrooms (14) are lined up all along Icho-Namiki street (here’s a map — it’s the street that leads up to the event space where they held Tokyo Designer’s Week and 100% Design last year), until April 23.
Update
I’m a bit bummed, since it looks like you won’t be able to order stuff online or even through the catalogue, meaning your only option is to make the trek out to Funabashi (out in Chiba) every time you want to buy something. Lame.
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Come on, you know it will be worth the trip! And it’s not like you’ll go every week anyway.
I mean, I know I’ll want to go at least once, but after that, I doubt I’ll ever go again. When you figure that train costs for 2 people to go and come back will probably be at least 2000 yen (I’m guessing, I’ve never been there, but it costs 540 yen to go to Kashiwa, and Funabashi seems even further), and it’ll take you 2-3 hours round-trip, it’s not really the way to go after what I imagine to be a substantial segment of their target consumer: young adults and students living in the city.
Let me add, for me, right now, I’d like to get some Billi bookcases, but rather than go through all that trouble (and I’d probably have to pay extra to get it delivered to my place) I’ll go and pay slightly more for some at Muji.
Yeah I think you’ve got a point! It sure is a day trip affair, and I sure hope they’ll add catalog/net shopping early on (or a ShinjukuFunabashi free shuttle bus!), but still, the store is the experience and will be worth a visit.
Looking forward to a plate of Swedish meatballs!
Yum! And I want that hot dog! (¥200 combo set!)
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=25&catalogId=10103&langId=-33&StoreName=localfood#4
We’re getting our first Ikea store here in Adelaide on the 20th. Fortunately, it’s less than a 10min drive from my place, not a massive train trek.
Good too, because I really need some more CD rack inserts for my Billy bookcase.
No outdoor showrooms promoting the opening here though. ;_;
wonder how Muji will react to Ikea being in the marketplace now…
I like Muji stuff though. Each time in Tokyo, i’ll make the trip to Yurakucho to visit the big store…
My first reaction was, yeah, Muji is probably going to feel the presence of Ikea. But with no catalogue or online ordering, it’s going to take a while before Ikea really starts being competition to Muji, with stores everywhere AND online ordering. Another going for Muji is that I think people subscribe to the whole Muji lifestyle, and are attached to the brand (or should I say “no brand”). And lastly, Ikea is really just a furniture shop, Muji is pretty much all over the map (furniture, clothes, stationery, bicycles, food, etc.)
There are catalogs. I’m looking at one right now. I don’t know how you can order one, but co-workers who live out that way got them in their mailboxes. Although you can’t order from them.
Yeah, I eventually found my answer in the site’s FAQ. As you said, people that live nearby got some delivered at their home, but the only other way to get one is by picking it up at the store.
I don’t think muji has to worry. This is their turf, and frankly in the price range that these guys hover, Muji wins. Plus I think both companies have very different aesthetics. I’ll definately go out to Funabashi, but I like muji more, and the Yurakucho place is on my way home from work.