Little Local Market is a vibrant gathering where the personalities and products featured in PAPERSKY come together under one roof — or sky. Visitors are invited to step into the world of PAPERSKY and experience its unique culture firsthand. Here's a glimpse into the excitement and energy of Little Local Market - SHIMANAMI - held from May 24th to 26th, 2024, in collaboration with SOIL Setoda on Ikuchi Island, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
10/21/2024
The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido connects six islands between Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture with seven bridges. This route offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea’s island-dotted beauty. Rich in unique culture and lifestyles, this island is home to many who have chosen it as the place to fulfill their dreams.
PAPERSKY toured the Shimanami Kaido and sat down with the “dreamy” individuals who call these islands home, capturing their stories in our 69th issue SHIMANAMI Dreamy. We hosted the event at the multi-purpose facility SOIL Setoda on Ikuchi Island (Onomichi City, Hiroshima), inviting the very dreamers featured in the magazine to join us.
The market event took place on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th, attracting approximately 500 visitors — far exceeding the expected turnout.The restaurant MINATOYA, located within SOIL Setoda, collaborated with the French fashion brand agnès b.The Éclair au citron Setoda, made with locally sourced Setoda lemons, made a special appearance at “MINATOYA” for three days only.At the eco-friendly coffee roastery Overview Coffee, visitors enjoyed music by artists Sakura Tsuruta and Marina Gokan.
Little Local Market – SHIMANAMI – brought together 27 brands, creators, and artisans, including PAPERSKY. Among them were farmers who practice regenerative agriculture by raising pigs, chickens, and sheep, while cultivating vegetables in a resource-circulating system. There was also a boatbuilder who makes catamaran yachts by hand inspired by traditional Polynesian vessels, working to promote sailing culture.
Some participants had returned to their homes on Ikuchi Island to take over their family’s citrus farm, while others, despite being newcomers, were spreading awareness about the richness of the island’s forests, and hunting wild boar at the same time. Though their projects and backgrounds may differ, they are all dream-getters in our books.
They have their shared values. Yet, it’s rare for these individuals to gather in one place and collaborate. Many of them had known each other’s names but had never actually met. While the primary goal of the event was to provide a fun experience for attendees, it seems there is also hope that Little Local Market has sparked new connections and collaborations among the participants here in Shimanami.
Thomas Kloepfer, the head of the regenerative agriculture farm Pitchfork Farms, was deep in conversation with locals about vegetable farming. “They were really interested in what I’m doing and even said they’d like to visit the farm sometime,” Thomas shared.Hi.Fu.Mi., a select shop on the Shiomachi Shopping Street, offered limited-edition PAPERSKY merchandise along with the latest issue of the magazine during the event.Shimatabi Yachts promotes sailing culture and upcycles yacht sails — that would otherwise become industrial waste — into bags. “Whether you attended the event or not, please come to the Seto Inland Sea to sail with us,” said the company’s representative, Sam Saito.The citrus farm LE MONT offered freshly squeezed juice made from Haruka, a citrus known for its refreshing and rich sweetness. “I had a great time talking with so many different people,” said the farm’s representative, Ryosei Yamamoto.
Interesting fact; this is the second time we’ve held Little Local Market. The first was in May 2021, when PAPERSKY no. 64 KOCHI Modern Nomad was released. Just like this one, the event was designed for individuals who were featured in the magazine to gather and connect.
The main attraction was having chefs prepare freshly caught fish, which guests could then enjoy, i.e., devour. After the event, the positive feedback from both attendees and vendors inspired us to plan our second one here in Shimanami, this time with the help of local coordinators.
In the lobby of the yubune bathhouse inn, guests could enjoy an exhibition of Mayumi Yamase’s original illustrations, specially created for the event.Tea ceremony hosted by Genki Takahashi, the head of the natural tea farm TEA FACTORY GEN. “I spent the whole time chatting with guests about random, unimportant things (laughs). But I think that’s part of what makes a tea ceremony special,” said Takahashi.Chef Junya Akita from the island’s Azumi Setoda inn curated event-exclusive sweets to perfectly complement Takahashi’s tea gathering.The winery Oomishima Minnano Winery, which aims to revitalize abandoned citrus orchards, offered attendees mandarin wine for sale. “We were blessed with great weather, and the atmosphere among the guests was wonderful. The event was so much fun,” said Sachiko Kawada.Kai Kudo from the Yoyogi-Uehara bar No. (pronounced “number”) served original drinks and cocktails made with Setouchi citrus. “It was great to chat with guests while making cocktails and to really feel the charm of the local area,” said Kai.The renowned outdoor boot brand Danner, hailing from Portland, also joined the event.On the second night, participants laced up their Danner boots for a “Full Moon Walk,” strolling under the moonlight together.
Moving forward, PAPERSKY plans to host Little Local Market events in the regions featured in upcoming issues. We hope these events will be enjoyable for everyone involved and will continue to grow and expand over time. We encourage anyone interested to join us and help keep the spirit of these gatherings alive and thriving.
Text | Shotaro Kojima Photography | Kazuto Uehara, Hayate Tanaka
