A companion for your time at home during the New Year holidays/Monthly Jiyucho News vol.60

JIYUCHO's newsletter, "Monthly JIYUCHO News," is distributed once a month at the end of the month.

Yamamoto, the manager of JIYUCHO & FUTO, will be sharing fun facts about recommended poems for the month, information about events for the following month, and funny moments from Jiyucho that will make you chuckle.

Below is the newsletter sent out on December 31, 2025.

If you'd like, please read it ♪
To subscribe, please visit the bottom of the top page of the Jiyucho website.

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Greetings from the Manager of JIYUCHO and FUTO
Good evening, this is Yamamoto, manager of JIYUCHO & FUTO!
How are you all spending New Year's Eve?

Over the past few days in Kuramae, a calm, end-of-year atmosphere has been in the air, with local shops completing their final business hours of the year and undergoing a thorough cleaning, and people exchanging end-of-year greetings.
Recently, I was walking around town thinking about how hard everyone has worked this year.

Thank you all very much for your hard work this past year.
Even if you're usually busy, you can relax a bit during the New Year holidays.
We hope you will enjoy this "Monthly Jiyucho News" as a companion to those moments.

*This email will be sent to those who have requested a subscription to the Monthly Jiyucho Newsletter in-store or on our website.

Owner and Manager Podcast "Jiyucho FM"
"Let's be human! / [Year-end special edition] The worries and thoughts of the Jiyucho store manager and owner"

■What is JIYUCHO FM?
I, the store manager Yamamoto, and the poet and owner Koyama Shohei have fun and serious discussions about what they think about everyday events and topics sent in by listeners.

■About this distribution by Editorial Department Fujii
In this special end-of-year edition, in addition to the store manager Yamamoto and owner Koyama, three staff members also participate and talk.
The show begins with a question from a listener: "What's the best thing about working at the store?" , and each staff member talks candidly about the feelings they had while working there, interspersing specific anecdotes with their own experiences.

If you are interested in working at Jiyucho/Futou, this is a must-listen! And at the end, the owner, Koyama, makes a casual but thought-provoking appeal!

When I listened to the broadcast again, coupled with the stories of the staff, I felt like I had read a book.
It's a perfect end-of-year radio show, so be sure to give it a listen!

▼You can listen to the broadcast on the following three platforms!
Please search for "JIYUCHO FM" ♪
・Stand.fm
・Spotify
・Apple Podcasts

January business schedule

It will open on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026.
How about writing a letter to the future filled with your hopes and wishes as the new year begins?
Also, if you have any books that you have finished reading during your time at home at the end of the year, we recommend that you enjoy them together with the " Connected Bookshelf " where you can exchange books.

[January]
Closed from Thursday 1st to Tuesday 6th
Wednesday, July 7th, 13:00-18:00 (normal business hours resume)

[Business hours]
◾️Jiyucho
Weekdays 13:00-18:00
Weekends and holidays 10:00-20:00
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (open on public holidays)

◾️Sealing lights
Weekdays 13:00-18:00
Weekends and holidays 10:00-20:00
Closed on Tuesdays (open on public holidays)

This month's recommended piece

The poem I would like to introduce this time is titled " A Kind Heart ."
This poem, about the city and the heart, was written on December 16th, the second anniversary of the sealing of the lamp.

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Here

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It's been six and a half years since I started working at Jiyucho, and two years since I started working at Futo.
I think it's precisely because of the town of Kuramae that we've been able to continue running our shop so honestly, in a way that's true to ourselves, and with such joy.
I feel that this poem conveys the atmosphere and kindness of this town.

Even those who don't often visit Kuramae will be able to feel the tranquility of this town and the warmth of the people who gather there.

Also, on Futo's Instagram , Koyama has posted this poem along with photos of his daily life in Kuramae and Futo that he took with his film camera over the past year, so please take a look if you'd like. (The photo below this text is one of those photos.)
However, I would be happy if I could share the feeling of this town, where you are accepted just as you are.

 

Koyama's poems and essays, including past works, can be read at any time in the " Addressed to Me " section of the Jiyucho website.
If you have time, please enjoy this at your leisure while you spend time at home over the New Year holidays.

Thank you very much for 2025!

 

Thank you very much for 2025.

Thanks to you, truly,
It was a year in which we had a huge number of visitors, not only to our JIYUCHO and FUTO stores in Kuramae and our online store, but also to the event at Lucua Osaka in December.

Each person has their own days, their own life, their own joys and pleasures, their own anger and sadness.

In a passage, in a line, or between the lines of the story,
Enjoying honest feelings and everyday life,
There is nothing more satisfying than having a moment to face yourself in a healthy way.

On the other hand, I also apologize to many people for the inconvenience we have caused due to our own shortcomings and inexperience.
We take this very seriously and will continue to make improvements as much as possible in the days to come.

A moment to enjoy honest feelings and everyday life,
Dreaming of a world where moments of self-reflection take root as part of culture,
Next year too, I will continue to worry, think, decide, create, and live my life to the fullest, together with everyone who is involved, you who visits, and everyone who watches over me.

The new 12 months, spring, summer, autumn, winter,
New joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness emerge in each day.
As much joy and fun as possible,
Hoping to minimize anger and sadness,
I'm heading there.

If you'd like, please join us.

December 31, 2025 Shohei Koyama, Owner of Freedom Hall and Seal Light

This month's bonus comment
"Don't judge a person's potential based solely on their past."
- Famous quotes (or famous sayings) by JIYUCHO members

"Christmas Letter Shop" was held over three days at Lucua Osaka. A total of four members stayed overnight.
On the second day, staff members Mizuno and Matsuo got up early and went to a nice cafe for breakfast. This is a scene from their shift that day.

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Staff member Mizuno: "Breakfast was delicious."

Staff member Matsuo: "That's right."

Manager Yamamoto: "It's amazing that you got up so early in the morning and went all the way there! I couldn't have done it. Haha."

Owner Koyama: "Huh? What did you go out for breakfast?"

Mizuno: "That's right! It was really good!"

Koyama: "Huh? That's nice, but I wasn't invited (;;)"

Mizuno: "Well, I can't wake up in the morning! Lol "

Koyama: “!!”

Yamamoto's inner voice (That's so true lol)

Koyama: "...No way.
Don't judge a person's potential based solely on their past!! "

Everyone burst out laughing

(complete)

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The next day, Koyama was invited to breakfast and managed to wake up early and enjoyed a fun breakfast with everyone.

Is there anything you're not good at?
We may look back in 2025 and think, "I couldn't have done that," but I'm sure this,

Like a small mountain(!?), the possibilities are endless!

In 2026, you might want to try something you're not so good at with a fresh attitude.

Well then, everyone.
Once again, thank you for this year.
We look forward to your continued support in 2026!

See you in next year's "Jiyucho News" or in store.

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Jiyucho 4-11-2 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0051

Futon 〒111-0051 101, 3-15-4 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo