A Japanese design studio has launched a website promoting sweets stores in Tokyo, as stay-at-home requests related to the COVID-19 epidemic push down demand for souvenirs from the capital.

The website, named "Tokyo Miyage, Hai!" meaning Tokyo souvenir, here you go, lists information on around 30 stores selling western and Japanese sweets. The site, produced pro bono by the design firm, Maq Inc., shows images of the stores' mainstay products as well as a catchphrase for each store and a link to its online shopping site.

"Tokyo souvenirs have been dealt a double blow, as the number of tourists has decreased and demand for souvenirs to take back to hometowns has disappeared," said Maq managing director and copywriter Yoshihiko Yamasaka.

"The design industry is helpless in these circumstances, but we thought we could at least do something like this," Yamasaka said. Participating stores have welcomed the initiative since the website was launched on May 1, with one store saying, "I'm happy that we are being cheered on, as the market is shrinking."

"I want to increase the links on the website so more Tokyo souvenirs can be introduced and offered encouragement," Yamasaka said. Maq is accepting applications for stores to post their information on the website, which is free of charge.

JIJI Press