山中油店のごあんない

kodawari_pic01

Our two-hundred-year legacy as oil specialists

Our founder, Heibei, established our shop in the early 19th century, also known as the late Edo period.
Since then, we have carried on the tradition of specializing in oils for two hundred years.

Back in the 11th century, or Heian era, our premises were part of the Imperial Palace.
In the 14th century, or Muromachi era, when Shogun Ashikaga established the Muromachi Palace, this area became rather busy. This street is called Lower Vendors’ Street or Shimo-dachiuri Street, because many merchants flanked the street offering their goods. With Upper Vendors’ Street or Kami-dachiuri Street in the upper-north and Middle Vendors’ Street or Naka-dachiuri Street in the lower-north, this corner of the city developed as an important connection between the city’s East and West.

kodawari_pic02Being the bridge between producers and customers

Since our foundation dating back to the Edo period two hundred years ago, we have been an oil retailer by occupation, but not a producer. This neighborhood was a densely-populated residential area where the ancient methods of oil production with its loud noises and strong odors would not have been particularly welcome. The solution was to purchase oil produced on the outskirts of the city and sell it here in the center.
To this day, carrying selected high-quality oils made by producers from home and abroad, we believe our role as an oil merchant is to pass on our producers’ philosophies to our customers.
Throughout the ages, oil has proven an indispensable ingredient in our daily lives.
As one of the few remaining specialist oil shops, we believe our mission to be that of continuing to show our customers how delicious, interesting and profound oil can be.

PHOTO GALLERY