A former bank, the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum is an incredible example of first Western-style buildings in Tokyo representing the late 19th century Queen Anne’s style. This Marunochi district landmark building was constructed in 1894 by the English architect Josiah Conder, shortly after the country ended the national seclusion period. In line with the classical features of the building and the museum collection Mitsubishi presents exhibitions focused on the 19th century modern art signifying the sources of modern society. Store 1894 pays close attention to the museum concept and presents a vast selection of museum’s own brand items and many other authentic design products in conjunction with exhibitions.

With the specially curated selection Store 1894 team tries to add creativity and fun to the world of the 19th century elegance and classicism reigning in the museum. For the exhibition Millet, Barbizon and Fontainebleau, held at the museum between October 2014 and January 2015, Store 1894 went beyond the traditional exhibition gift stationary. Organized in celebration of 200 years since the birth of Jean-Francois Millet, the exhibition focused on the extraordinary contribution of the artist and the Barbizon school to figural peasants and rural landscape painting. The realism of the canvases appeared in the museum shop through some charming attributes of French farming life: a selection of various cleansers and soaps along with lavender sachets greeted the urbanized visitors of the museum.

Another treat was a sweet section where we stocked on nicely packed French chocolates and our personal all-time favorite salted caramel toffees from Normandy. Sweet taste of Fontainebleau and Barbizon caramels still satisfy our sugar cravings and we’ll be back to Store 1894 for more unusual finds.