Come to the gate of Großen Garten at the weekend and you will find Anna and Yoko manning the Kombini Kiosk. They spend their time brewing fresh coffee behind the wooden counter they built themselves and sitting in the sun with friends. You’ll be greeted with a hearty “Irashaimase”(welcome!). Twin sisters Anna and Yoko were born to German-Japanese parents and grew up in Berlin. When they talk about their childhood, they recall memories of the summer holidays they spent with their grandmother in Japan: the food, the hand stitched pyjamas and the time spent in the garden. It’s a childhood that led Anna to become textile designer and Yoko a florist and gardener. The Kiosk was started as a way to share the pair’s love of everyday Japanese objects. “We sell what we love” is the motto and, we must say: we love it too. There’s the porcelain chopstick holders in all different shapes from gyozas and radishes to edamame beans. Or the colorful Koinobiris – traditional carp flags that flutter enthusiastically even in a light breeze. In addition to those items (which, by the way, make excellent souvenirs or gifts), there are drinks and snacks as you’d expect from a kiosk: coffee, cake and Japanese specialities like homemade onigiris, yuzu lemonades and sake. The twins plan to offer workshops to share their expertise and interests, including regional, seasonal flower arranging, making “Uchiwa” (Japanese paper fans), painting and sake tastings. We can’t wait for that, and until then we’ll be sampling the hospitality, nice conversations and fun objects at the Kombini Kiosk. Oh, and if you do make the journey we highly recommend a visit to Parg for lunch and/or dinner.
Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen
Kombini Kiosk at Grossen Garten, Dorfmitte 11, 17268 Gerswalde; map
Sat 13–18h, Sun 12–18h
@kombini.kiosk
