PROFILE
. Born in 1964. After graduating from Westmont College in California, U.S.A., he returned to Japan and opened "G.O.D." in Daikanyama, Tokyo in 1992. . He then started "SUNSHINE+CLOUD" in Hayama in 1995 and "PARADISE STORE" in Amami Oshima in 2009. In addition to directing his own store, he also designs store interiors and home renovations with his team "HONOLULU DESIGNS".
"Why don't we have to be like other people?" This was at the root of the idea.
How long have you lived in this area, Mr. Takasu?
Takasu:I have lived in Zushi for 32 years this year .
. You are originally from Tokyo, aren't you? What made you decide to live in Zushi?
Takasu:When I returned home after graduating from college in the U.S., I realized that I couldn't live in Tokyo because it was just too crowded and chaotic. When I thought about where I wanted to live, I thought it would be nice to be near the ocean. Besides Zushi, there were Oiso and Yugawara as candidates, but I was still commuting to Tokyo at the time, so I decided to be realistic and chose Zushi.
Have you always loved the ocean?
Takasu:I like it . Part of it is that I enjoyed surfing, but before that, I was kind of attracted to the ocean. There is something about it that seems to forgive me.
What did you feel when you actually lived near the ocean?
Takasu:It was really nice. The stars are so beautiful at night, and if you get up early in the morning, you can go right to the beach. You can live a life here that you wouldn't change for anything.
. Was it this kind of environment that attracted you to open "Sunshine + Cloud" in Hayama in 1995?
Takasu:The main reason was so I wouldn't have to go to Tokyo (laughs). I wanted a place where I could go to bed, get up, and set up store in my own clothes.
What was the atmosphere like in Hayama and Zushi back then?
Takasu:There was nothing at all, so I didn't expect people to come. That is why I created a mail-order catalog. At that time, mail-order catalogs were very advanced in the U.S., and J.CREW and SEARS were making them. I decided to learn from that culture and try it myself.
And then you started getting customers?
Takasu:They don't come at all (laughs). (Laughs.) However, the catalog we created had a message, so it resonated with people who were receptive to it. So the number of people who come all the way from far away to see our catalog has gradually increased.
After such a period of time, many people are now paying attention to Hayama.
Takasu:I guess a lot of people have realized that it doesn't have to be a commercial area. I can feel that.
Did you always have such an idea, Mr. Takasu?
Takasu:It's not that big of a deal. It was not that big of a deal, but it was just an underlying idea that "it is not necessary to be the same as others. I had this underlying thought, "It's not necessary to be the same as others.
