Why We Started "Meguri Ware™"

Hello. I'm Toji, owner of Maison Toji.

In your cupboard, do you have any dishes that you love but don't use much anymore, or beautiful pieces that you sadly discarded because you just couldn't fit any more?

These are the dilemmas of storage, guilt, and environmental concerns that arise when you truly love tableware.

Today, I'd like to tell you a bit about how our return model, "Meguri Ware™," came to be, and the thoughts and experiences that inspired it. It's a bit of a long story, but please bear with me.

1. Irish Rain and a 1 Euro Book

The story goes back to a year I spent in Ireland after taking a leave of absence from university.

Back then, I was juggling a local part-time job and working as a freelance dance instructor. To be honest, there were times when my bank account was as empty as my stomach.

What supported me during that uncertain time in a foreign country were the "charity shops" scattered all over the city.

They were similar to reuse shops in Japan, but their atmosphere was completely different.

Low-priced items were displayed meticulously and affectionately, as if in a select shop. It wasn't like a dusty warehouse; it was truly a "general store" that made me excited every time I opened the door.

Even though I had no money, I would buy a 1 Euro English book or a teacup that someone must have cherished, and I would use them with care.

"Passing on unwanted items to the next person with respect."

I was indescribably struck by this beautiful yet rational form of circulation.

2. The "Pressing Circumstances" of Tableware That Can't Be Like Shimokitazawa Clothing

After returning to Japan, I took another look at the fate of "things" here.

Take Shimokitazawa, for example. The culture of vintage clothing is so established that it has revitalized the town. But what about tableware?

Tableware has a critical "difficulty in handling" that differs from clothing.

• Storage Limits: Unlike clothes, they can't be compressed, and stacking has its limits.

• Difficulty of Storage: As fragile items, they can't just be haphazardly packed into cardboard boxes and shoved into the back of a closet.

• Resale Barrier: Even if you try to let them go, unless they're branded items, they're practically worthless. Selling them on Mercari often results in a loss due to shipping costs, so "discarding" them often becomes the easiest option.

And the most shocking fact is that porcelain and ceramic recycling technology is still in its early stages.

Most tableware disposed of as non-burnable waste is not reused and is instead buried in landfills.

In the past, Japan had a warm culture of gifting tableware for celebrations. But behind that, a vast quantity of displaced tableware is now silently filling landfills. Even unique pieces painstakingly crafted by artists are no exception.

When I learned this reality, I felt a deep sadness.

3. Entrusting "Memories" Along with "Objects"

"I don't want the lifespan of tableware to end in the trash can."

"I don't want people to give up on new encounters due to lack of cupboard space."

To solve this dilemma, we conceived "Meguri Ware™," a return model where our company guarantees to buy back items for 20% of their purchase price.

What we take in is not just a block of ceramics. The concept is "the circulation of tableware and memories."

Tableware has always been a companion to the moments spent at your table.

When you return an item, please share an anecdote, such as "I celebrated my child's birthday with this plate" or "The morning coffee I drank from this cup sustained me."

We will then pass on that "memory" along with the item to its next user.

Because we believe this is the form of "respectful circulation" I experienced in the charity shops of Ireland.

4. Current Operations and Future Promises

This initiative has just begun, and as of May 15, 2026, it is still a small step.

To ensure careful and reliable handling, we are currently operating under the following rules:

Information Regarding Use (as of May 15, 2026)

While we're starting with in-store returns, please look forward to it, everyone, even those from afar. By summer, we're preparing to allow participation in this cycle from anywhere in the country.

Finally: Beyond the Circular Economy

The global environmental problems won't be solved tomorrow just because one store adopted a return model.

However, we are earnestly aiming for the day when this option of "returning and passing on" becomes a standard practice (a standard of the circular economy) in Japan and around the world.

To enjoy tableware more freely and ambitiously, without forgetting respect for the creators, and while treating our planet with a little more care.

Why not start such a comfortable life with Maison Toji?

[ Frequently Asked Questions about Meguri Ware™ (FAQ) ]