Oba Florist: Gloriously Fresh Flowers
Published: March 19, 2019
Kiyosubashi Street in the Higashisuna area of Koto-ku is home to many interesting shops, but none as colourful as Oba Florist. Locally renowned for the exceptional quality and freshness of its merchandise, the business is managed by second-generation owner, Mr. Kenji Oba. We recently dropped in for a chat with the eponymous proprietor.
First impressions on entering Oba Florist are the powerful, heady aroma of the wide variety of blooms on display and their brilliant brightness.
“All of our flowers are so fresh that they last a very long time,” says Mr. Oba. Looking around the shop, one can see that this is no idle boast as the flowers are simply glowing with colour. Just how do they manage it?
“We order different coloured flowers from different suppliers, depending on the quality. Red roses, yellow, or orange ones, they come from a variety of suppliers,” he says. “Sweet peas, carnations and gerberas too.”
“Since we buy the freshest possible flowers, they can remain on display longer but if they don’t sell then we throw them away. We simply won’t display flowers past their best. We also only stock the more popular flowers and pot plants,” explains Mr. Oba. “This enables a faster turnover so products on the shelves remain fresher.”
The prices remain constant, too. “Regardless of fluctuations in cost price, we sell the same flowers at a fixed price all year. It’s much easier for our customers that way,” he says.
Mr. Oba was busy preparing sumptuous bouquets when we visited the shop. The late March and early April period in Japan is extremely busy with endings and beginnings, many marked by the presentation of flowers. Anyone would be delighted to receive such beautiful bouquets as these.
Small bouquets of flowers to decorate the household Buddhist altars (butsudan in Japanese) or family graves are a mainstay of florists in Japan.
Mr. Oba also provides flowers to around ten different Ikebana schools in the local area. That so many professionals trust his judgement in selecting flowers for their classrooms speaks volumes about the quality available in the shop.
Oba Florist also stocks a variety of seasonal potted plants such as these gaily coloured pansies.
Wednesdays and Fridays are “service days” and often feature special sales or discounts.
Whether you’re in the market for a huge bouquet, a bunch of roses, or a selection of pot plants to liven up your residence, Oba Florist is the place to go. The prices are very reasonable, too!
Story and Photos by Stephen Spencer
