Gateway to Sustainability in Japan

Ethical boutique store “style table” opens at COREDO Nihonbashi

The boutique store style table opens its third branch in COREDO Nihonbashi, Tokyo, this month.

This boutique store prides itself on being ethical, sustainable and vegan. One can find over 500 different types of ethical lifestyle products such as makeup, body & hair care, food and sundries. It is a destination for ethical consumption.

style table categorizes their products into seven themes for their ethical quality. The seven themes are: Japan made (J), organic (O), climate change (C), plastic-free (P), vegan (V), fair trade (F) and natural (N).

On top of the products, the store also furnishes itself with ethical furniture. style table uses domestically manufactured furniture made from trees removed in a thinning. Thinning is a process that removes defect trees to reduce competition between trees for nutrients, water, and light. It is an activity that enables remaining trees to grow to their fullest potential.

There is also a free water refill spot at style table. This facility is in line with Japan’s efforts to become a plastic-free society. The water is from the northern alps. It is safe and easy to drink.

A limited-edition opening gift is also sold to commemorate the store’s grand opening. For 5,000 yen, customers can enjoy five different locally-produced ethical lifestyle products and an original tote bag.

One of the products inside the opening gift is a facial cleanser by ORGANIC STORE (J, O, C, N), an organic JAS certified brand in Japan. This product is made of 99 percent natural ingredients. It is free of parabens, synthetic fragrance/colorants, animal products, mineral oils, and petroleum. This luxurious skincare item has essential oils made from a blend of lavender, bergamot, and rosemary, giving it a pleasant and refreshing scent.

Another product to take note of is the bamboo toothbrush by mana. The brand ORGANIC LIVING (O, C, P) is known for its simple yet environmentally friendly lifestyle products. Not only is this lightweight toothbrush made from natural materials, but it is also a zero-waste product that comes in eco-friendly packaging.

Lastly, the opening gift also comes with organic matcha by THE MATCHA TOKYO (J, O, C, V). Matcha leaves used by THE MATCHA TOKYO are rare and specially sourced from leading production areas such as Uji, Kyoto and Kagoshima. The leaves are gently ground using a stone mill, a traditional method passed down from a 250-year-old matcha shop in Kyoto. This matcha is delicious to consume, and can also be used as a superfood for health and beauty purposes.

style table hopes to encourage and promote ethical shopping as they continue to support Japanese society into an ethical and sustainable one.

Written by
Amanda Wee

Amanda is a writer that lives in Singapore. She studied Japanese in Tokyo, and loves learning about recycling and upcycling

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Written by Amanda Wee