About the Asakusa Merchants Association
Message from the Chairman
Asakusa continues to be loved by many people as “a town to see, buy, eat, play and stay”. We, the cooperative Asakusa Merchants Association, continue to work to further enhance the charm of this city and to provide heartwarming hospitality to all visitors.
Even for projects and training sessions that are difficult for individual stores to realize, we can provide support from a broader perspective by taking advantage of our strong network as a cooperative. The shopkeepers are working hand in hand to revitalize the shopping district, to develop member stores, and to promote the prosperity of the entire town of Asakusa.
Kazuho Inaba, Chairman of the Asakusa Merchants Association
Asakusa Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Together with local residents throughout the ages.
Asakusa Merchants AssociationActivities of the
Information Dissemination and Public Relations
In order to continue to promote the charms of Asakusa, we publish a monthly “Shoren Shimbun” to inform our members of the activities of our shopping district, announcements of our own events, and local news.
In addition, we are actively engaged in public relations activities to contribute to Asakusa’s visibility and development, utilizing various media such as newspapers, television, and the Internet.
Events and services
In order to keep Asakusa a popular place for many people throughout the year, we plan and operate a variety of events.
Through these events, we provide opportunities for Asakusa’s culture and traditions to be passed on to the next generation and for visitors to enjoy themselves.
Our watchword is “Thank you with heart and soul. Under this slogan, we work daily in the hope that as many people as possible will become fans of Asakusa.
Improvement of shopping district circulation
In order for more people to enjoy every corner of Asakusa’s attractions, we are also working to improve the shopping district’s circulation.
We aim to create a comfortable shopping environment by studying the flow lines of visitors.
In addition, we are working with the Tokyo Skytree and the Sumida River area to develop new sightseeing routes and set up our own signposts.
Merchant support and services
Asakusa is a vibrant town that continues to evolve, embracing both good old Japanese culture and the changing times. We at Asakusa Merchants Association, a cooperative, will continue to look to the future of Asakusa and take on the challenge of developing the shopping district as well as providing a better experience for our customers.
We hope that together with all of you, we can further deepen the charm of Asakusa, and we send our heartfelt “Thank you” to all of you.
Management and Insurance Consultation
In order to help member stores continue their business with peace of mind, we have established a management consultation service and provide a variety of support services, including introductions to tax and management specialists and individual consultations. We also offer various types of insurance in cooperation with several insurance companies. We support more stable management by reducing risks in store management.
Promotion of cashless operations
For the convenience of our customers, we offer a credit card settlement service with favorable terms for merchants. We will continue to provide customers with a comfortable shopping environment while responding to the trend toward cashless shopping.
Conduct training and seminars
To further revitalize the shopping district, we regularly hold workshops and seminars to help member stores seize new business opportunities. We provide knowledge that is in step with the times, such as lectures by invited experts and workshops to learn about the latest commercial trends, to help them prosper in their business.
Asakusa Merchants AssociationHistory of
| 1949 (Showa 24) | Asakusa Merchants AssociationFormation of the | Held Asakusa Merchants Association’s inaugural general meeting in October and held the first big Fukubiki sale in December after the formation of the Shoren |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Birth of Shoren Fire & Accident Insurance | In order for the federation of commerce to be active, it was necessary to secure financial resources, and this insurance agency service played a major role in the activities of the federation at that time. |
| 1951 (Showa 26) | Free bus service | Free bus service between Kuramae and Asakusa during the 11 days of the New Year’s Grand Sumo Tournament held at the Kuramae Kokugikan to attract sumo spectators to Asakusa. |
| 1955 (Showa 30) | Asakusa-Ueno free bus service | |
| 1959 (Showa 34) | Establishment of a cooperative association | In order to further strengthen Asakusa Merchants Association, which had been a voluntary organization, and to promote the development of the Asakusa shopping district and the prosperity of its stores, a cooperative association was established under the Small and Medium Business Cooperative Association Law. 18 Asakusa shopping associations became member associations to start the association. |
| 1962 (Showa 37) | Asakusa Goodwill Association established as a division of Shoren | |
| 1968 (Showa 43) | Asakusa Merchants Association20th anniversary of birth | |
| 1978 (1978) | Asakusa Merchants Association30th anniversary of the birth | The town of Asakusa comes alive on the 1,350th anniversary of the founding of Sensoji Temple Double-decker bus operates between Asakusa and Ueno for 33 days |
| 1980 (Showa 55) | Establishment of Ueno and Asakusa shopping district liaison council | Council established to discuss commonalities between the two districts of Ueno and Asakusa in conjunction with the double-decker bus service. |
| 1981 (Showa 56) | First Asakusa Samba Carnival held | |
| 1989 (1989) | Asakusa Merchants AssociationCeremony held to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the birth and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the cooperative |
Join us at
Membership Opportunities
To ensure long-term prosperity for businesses in Asakusa, the Asakusa Merchants Association is a community of people who love and take pride in this historic district. Together, we work toward shared growth and success.
Joint promotion, information sharing, publication in Asakusa Map, group insurance, cashless group contract, Asakusa Grand Lottery, hosting Asakusa Samba Carnival, night garbage collection (Santo Unyu), training sessions, etc.
summary
| Name | Cooperative Association Asakusa Merchants Association |
|---|---|
| Address | ROX5F, 1-25-15 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo |
| Chairman of the Board | Kazuho Inaba |
| Formation | December 1949 |