Meet Kumiko Hidaka of The Kogei Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kumiko Hidaka.

Hi Kumiko, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a third culture kid – born in Tokyo to Japanese parents, with whom I immigrated to the U.S. when I was 10 and settled in the South Bay. I spent my formative years and education in Southern California, and have since worked and lived on both sides of the Pacific, being lucky enough to call both Tokyo and California home.

Today, I’m also the owner and curator of The Kogei Shop, a destination for Japanese artisanal tableware and home goods designed for the modern home. I launched the shop in February 2025, a few years after I moved to LA for the first time as an adult.

But I didn’t initially set out to build a career in retail and/or design. In fact, I had spent the first 20+ years of my career in the corporate world, working in PR & Communications and telling the stories of some of the world’s most recognized brands.

A few years ago, I found myself contemplating my next chapter, and the vision for The Kogei Shop gradually started to come together. It wasn’t as much of an epiphany as it was the culmination of the things that have shaped me—my Japanese and American bicultural upbringing, belief in the power of our communities, my love of design that marries beauty with utility, and a desire to make space for a slower, more meaningful way of living.

So I decided to pursue it, which has brought me to where I am today. While it may look like a huge career pivot from the outside, I’ve come to realize there’s always been a throughline for me: being a bridge and a connector—between people, ideas, and cultures. It’s a role I’ve played in one form or another since I was a kid, and one I’ve always consciously pursued in my career. The Kogei Shop is simply a new expression of that.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is there such a thing as a smooth road?

As I embarked on this journey, I realized very quickly how little I knew – and how overwhelming things could get when you’re the sole operator of a small business. I’ve had to become comfortable asking for help, making decisions without always having all the answers, and continuing to move forward even when things aren’t perfect. I’ve also learned the importance of holding firm in what I believe while remaining flexible about how I get there.

One challenge I certainly didn’t anticipate when I was putting together my business plan in late 2024 was the impact of new import tariffs on goods from Japan. Just six months after painstakingly developing my pricing strategy—something that was already unfamiliar territory for me—I found myself having to revisit it.

It was a real lesson in how quickly circumstances outside of your control can change the assumptions you’ve built a business around. Rather than trying to figure everything out on my own, I reached out to friends and acquaintances who are entrepreneurs or have finance backgrounds and asked for their advice. Their perspectives helped me think through my options and make more informed decisions.

I’m learning that running a business isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being resourceful enough to find them, adaptable enough to change course when circumstances demand it, and grounded enough to know which parts of your vision shouldn’t change.

As you know, we’re big fans of The Kogei Shop. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Kogei Shop is a destination for Japanese artisanal tableware and home goods designed for the modern home. Pronounced koh-gay, “kōgei” in Japanese refers to the craft of everyday living — where beauty, design, and purpose meet. We collaborate with artisans across Japan to curate a collection of handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces that marry beauty and utility.

In today’s fast-paced, digital, and increasingly disconnected world, we believe that finely crafted objects can ground us in the present and enrich life’s simple moments—like sharing a meal with loved ones at home. Much like knowing from where your food comes matters, understanding who made the objects you use weaves humanity, warmth, and appreciation into the daily rituals that have sustained us for centuries.

Our mission is to imbue beauty, joy, and meaning into the everyday while supporting the art of local craftspeople.

What sets The Kogei Shop apart is our curation and access. Even as Japanese food, fashion, and culture have become increasingly mainstream over the past decade, I noticed there were still relatively few stores in Los Angeles dedicated to unique, handmade Japanese pottery and tableware. We focus specifically on Japanese artisanal pieces, including work from smaller, lesser-known makers, kilns, and family-run factories whose pieces can be difficult to find outside of Japan. In some cases, we’re one of the very few places where their work is available in the U.S.

I also think my bicultural perspective plays an important role in how I curate the shop. I’m not simply looking for pieces that are traditionally Japanese; I’m drawn to objects that reflect the craftsmanship and sensibility of Japan while also feeling relevant to how people live, gather, and decorate their homes today. My goal is to introduce exceptional Japanese craft to a wider audience while giving these makers and their work a platform here in the U.S.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
This year, we began working with clients in hospitality and the design trade, who have different needs from our individual customers, and it’s been so much fun exploring this side of the business. We’ve been able to help restaurants and other partners source distinctive tableware and pieces for their spaces, including special and custom orders. If you’re in hospitality or design and looking for something unique, we’d love to hear from you through our website.

I’m still very much at the beginning of this journey, and that’s part of what makes it exciting. Every new customer, conversation, collaboration, and opportunity teaches me something about what The Kogei Shop can become. I’m focused on continuing to learn, discovering new makers across Japan, and building a business that creates meaningful connections across cultures. I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thekogeishop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_kogei_shop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekogeishop