Skip to main content

World’s first IKEA “convenience store” opens in Harajuku

No meatballs? IKEA Harajuku breaks the mould.

While we love getting lost in the sprawling IKEA warehouses, the trend seems to be moving towards smaller, city-centre stores.

The latest IKEA store in Japan is located in Harajuku, at the heart of Tokyo, just a minute walk from Harajuku station. And it’s IKEA Japan’s first ever city store.

ikea harajuku

Since it’s opening on June 8, the public has dubbed it the “Sweden Convenience Store” and for good reasons.

Made for small space living

Unlike other IKEA stores in Japan, IKEA Harajuku is a little different. It caters to people living in the city, so the range of items on display are more suited for compact Tokyo apartments.

Still, IKEA Harajuku isn’t a small shop.

It occupies 4 floors within “With Harajuku”, a brand new shopping complex, and displays over 10,000 items. However, without a warehouse attached, larger products can only be purchased via their website or the IKEA App and then delivered.

IKEA Harajuku
IKEA Harajuku

A range of about 900 smaller items can be immediately purchased and carted home.

Food menu unlike any other IKEA

Another highlight of IKEA Harajuku is its Swedish Cafe. Its exclusive food menu is unique to the store and looks absolutely delectable.

bröd tunnbröd / flatbread

Top on the must-eat list is its mouth-watering range of flatbread (bröd tunnbröd) offering savoury, sweet and even vegetarian options. Prices start from ¥200. (approx. $1.87)

bröd tunnbröd / flatbread

Complete the meal with hot, cold beverages or any of the four types of low-alcohol craft beer imported from popular Swedish brewery “Omnipollo”.

Its famous meatballs, though, are nowhere to be seen.

And just before the exit, make a pit stop at the Swedish Combini to grab a cup of coffee, some cinnamon rolls and yes, plant-based sundaes. Even plant based ramen. 

IKEA Plant based sundae
Is it still an authentic IKEA experience?

Though smaller in footprint, it does not depart from the IKEA look and feel in its layout and design. I bet it smells very much like the IKEA we know too.

Perhaps the only thing we’ll miss there is the meatballs.

If this concept takes off in Japan, we may get to see it translated to the rest of the world.

More IKEA Harajuku store information.

All images courtesy of IKEA Harajuku.

The post World’s first IKEA “convenience store” opens in Harajuku appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SKÅDIS: 5 ways to make the IKEA pegboard even better

IKEA introduced its own pegboard system, SKÅDIS, two years ago and I’d say it’s one of the best systems IKEA launched in recent years. I love how super customisable it is, with a growing range of accessories that help keep things organized. It works everywhere, in your wardrobe to bathroom . Probably anywhere you have a flat surface to hang it up. Photo: IKEA.com SKÅDIS pegboard system See it on IKEA.com But no matter how perfect a system, you can trust IKEA hackers to improve on the SKÅDIS. And they’ve settle these 5 issues you may have faced with the handy IKEA pegboard. Read on for their fixes. 5 IKEA SKÅDIS issues and fixes #1 Expensive hooks? You’ll need quite a number of hooks and accessories to fill up the SKÅDIS pegboard, and Kenyer was shocked at how quickly they all added up. So he figured he could make his own hooks to save cost. Photo: Kenyer Over at Instructables , he shows us how to twist copper wires into the SKÅDIS hook shape. It works s...

KALLAX desk ideas: Three ways to set up a workstation

Three great ideas for a KALLAX desk . #1 Compact, minimalist desk for laptop I put together a KALLAX desk for my laptop for just under 25 euros. Just a KALLAX 2×2 is needed. No other materials required. IKEA item used: KALLAX 2 x 2 (77 x 77 cm) KALLAX 2×2 | IKEA.com All you need to do is assemble 3 of the pieces in a U shape. That is all.  If you want to strengthen the structure you would need to drill a couple of holes in order to use the long middle shelf of the KALLAX unit as a back reinforcer. Easy and it works. ~ by Fabio Tudela #2 KALLAX standing desk I choose to stand at work because it makes me feel infinitely more productive. Our department recently moved into a new building and we had the opportunity to design our own spaces. Items Used: VIKA AMON / TORNLIDEN table top x 2 (discontinued, replaced by LINNMON ) KALLAX 4 cube x 2 KALLAX drawer unit x 2 8 – 3″ locking casters / wheels 1 – 6′ zinc brace I had a few VIKA AMON tables ...

Amped up KURA bed with drawers and safety rail

We saw other KURA beds with storage drawers underneath on this site. So, we also wanted the same — to make space for LEGO s and wooden trains under the bed. We installed the additional headboard panels because the configuration of the room and the location of the windows in the room meant that we wanted the children’s heads on the right and the ladder on the left. The KURA plans did not seem to allow this configuration, though I have seen online that there are models of this bed from 2003 that allowed more options for setup. Additional safety features Safety rail panel for the lower KURA bed helps our two year old feel secure, as he just transitioned from a crib directly to this bunk. Likewise metal handles on the ladder. They added a lot of confidence for both the five-year-old and the two-year-old when climbing up to the top bunk. We are aware that the bunk is now even higher than before and both children are under 6. Use caution and common sense before making these modifi...