When your mindset changes, the people you meet will also change.
. The "Tap Water" is also a result of Minami's production background, and the events you just mentioned are also a result of his connections to various places, aren't they?
South:That's true. If I suddenly said, "Please," they would refuse.
As Mr. Nishino mentioned at the beginning, he digs for old clothes in various places.
Westfield:Many of the individual stores in rural areas reflect the tastes and preferences of their owners. I find that interesting.
South:Like the American casual stores. They only have vintage clothes. I feel at home in such stores.
Westfield:Like, the owner was scared of me (laughs).
South:It's a once in a lifetime thing.
Do you want to go abroad soon?
South:Recently, more and more people are finally going abroad. I haven't been able to go at all.
Westfield:I would like to go, of course, but the cost of travel is high, and I don't think it's realistic yet.
South:. you're right. Even if I go, I don't think I'll be able to enjoy it as much as I used to.
Conversely, do you feel that your connections to other parts of Japan have grown stronger over the past two years? For example, you have established a base in Kyoto, haven't you?
South:I have been to many places in Japan. I have always thought that there are many interesting places in Japan, and that the countryside has some cool shops. On the contrary, there are cool stores in the countryside. This is not limited to fashion. I always think that there are stores that are unique to each region.
Westfield:Yes, that's right.
South:There are some extraordinary stores in some extraordinary places. And then there are the unique owners. If we connect with such people and do something together, we can do something interesting. Nishino, you are going to open a store in your hometown, aren't you?
Westfield:I'm working on an opening on Awaji Island by the end of the year.
South:Nishino Shoten?
Westfield:Just like that (laughs). As Mr. Minami mentioned, a restaurant that reflects the uniqueness of the area is a great source of inspiration. I then think about how to output what I have learned. It is a repetition of this process.
. Each of us has our own base of activities, and getting out of them provides new stimulation, doesn't it?
South:Also, staying in a hotel in a place you get out of, and staying in a place like an airby, you get a totally different feeling of the city. I dare to stay in an airby when I go abroad, but I wonder where the supermarket is , where the pharmacy is, and so on. Where is the pharmacy? I think, "Where is there a supermarket? You don't think about that in a hotel, do you? So my mindset is completely different. And the people you meet will also change.
When I rented a house in Kyoto, I started out like a tourist. But gradually I got tired of that, so I started to explore on my own. I started to explore on my own, in places where tourists would not come.
. You mean the so-called "deep spots" or local places.
South:Yes, that's right. There are also communities that are born through the development of these communities. We then connect them to other communities, or introduce them to people in Tokyo, saying, "There are people like this," and create a new circle. Or, "Where is the pharmacy?
The more local the experience is, the more interesting it suddenly becomes. It's like clearing a dungeon.
South:Yes, that's right. Some people are difficult, but when they get in, they treat you well.
How about Awaji Island?
Westfield:It's a nice place!
South:Creating a store is like a triumphant return?
Westfield:. I guess it will be. I'm thinking of building a new one where my grandmother used to live.
South:Then have them set up a "Tap Water" store there as well (laughs). (Laughs.) And it would be nice if there were items that could only be purchased there. Also, they can drink as much tap water as they want (laughs).
Westfield:These stories come true (laughs).
I could understand the groove of it (laughs).
Westfield:Because of the importance of this kind of groove, we don't really want to do "Tap Water" on a large scale.
South:Yes, that's right. We both have other things to do, so it's not like we are taking a break, but we do it as if we are trying to unwind a little. That's what makes it interesting, or rather, we just have fun doing it. However, we take our work seriously, and it would be nice if people could relate to the items we make.
Westfield:I started NEET without much ambition of what I wanted to do in the future, but I wanted to create a store, and then I wanted to do the same on Awaji Island. I wanted to create a restaurant, and then I wanted to do the same on Awaji Island. I think that if you set a big goal, you will end up being tied down to that goal. That is why I thought it would be good for Tap Water to be like that, a project that is done on a case-by-case basis. We could make items on a regular basis, and when the number of items increases to a certain degree, we could hold an event to gather the archives of the past. Something like that.
South:Or, you could really make mineral water (laughs). Let's relax like that and continue to do so in the future. It would be great if we could make things while laughing.
Westfield:Yes, I am sure you are right. I look forward to working with you (laughs)!
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