mowl Osaka Grand Opening on November 10th
Thank you very much for your continued support of the mowl Online Store.
We are excited to announce that mowl Co., Ltd. will be opening our first physical yo-yo shop, mowl Osaka, on Sunday, November 10. It will be the only store of its kind in the Kansai region.
＜The journey to the opening of mowl Osaka＞
In 2020, like many others, we faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a nine-month delay in receiving products from China. We sincerely thank our customers, partners, and everyone involved for supporting us during those difficult times.
In December 2021, we incorporated as mowl Co., Ltd. to further strengthen our organization, embarking on a new journey. By June 2022, we celebrated mowl’s 6th anniversary, but despite our growth, we struggled to define the future direction of mowl as a brand. This led our founder to visit Europe to seek clarity.
In 2023, Osaka was chosen as the host city for the World Yo-Yo Contest (#WYYC23 ). With the help of many, we successfully hosted a Welcome Party that saw players from all over the world, and Daniel Tamariz won the long-sought World Yo-Yo Champion title in the AP division, while Hayato Itani made it to the finals in the 1A division on his first attempt.
Hosting the World Yo-Yo Contest in Osaka was incredibly meaningful for mowl. We witnessed yo-yos and the mowl brand gradually gaining traction within the local community, thanks to the support of industry professionals and local residents alike.
This strengthened connection with the community led to an opportunity to open a physical store in Naniwa Ward, where mowl’s headquarters are located—a long-held dream of our founder, Okuyama.
mowl Osaka aims to bring mowl’s vision to life, serving as a hub for new encounters and challenges, and breathing new life into yo-yo culture.
Thank you for your continued support of mowl.
With the opening of mowl Osaka, I would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on yo-yos and the industry.
Since first picking up a yo-yo as an elementary school student, yo-yos have been the best communication tool for me. Connecting with yo-yo players from around the world has always been exciting and fun, allowing me to express my identity and meet new people and cultures. Even now, through various yo-yo projects, I continue to gain invaluable experiences and relationships.
At my core, I find great fulfillment in bringing joy to others through mowl, allowing people to experience the fun and coolness of yo-yos. This feeling might be almost “obsessive,” but that’s how much I love yo-yos and want to contribute to this industry.
However, in recent years, I’ve noticed that interest in yo-yos has waned across generations. At competitions and events, non-competitors have become fewer, and the vibrant yo-yo culture and movement that I once found “cool and exciting” has stalled, leaving me feeling saddened.
In the realm of identity and creativity, few new challenges are being taken on, with many products in the market simply mimicking others. Within the community, there are also occasional struggles over interests and competition, further holding back the industry.
My goal has been to break through this negativity and create a new future for yo-yos.
In Osaka, there is still a lack of places where spinners can naturally gather and enjoy themselves. So, we set out to create a new space that fuses not only yo-yos but also skill toys, music, skateboarding, and other subcultures. We envisioned providing a "fun and cool space" where different cultures intersect, sparking new creative interactions through yo-yos.
With mowl Osaka, we aim to take the first step in creating and disseminating culture from Osaka, rebuilding and growing the yo-yo scene. Together with all of you, we want to elevate the yo-yo industry, support the growth of the community, and help shape a new future not just for mowl but for the entire industry.
Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions, as always.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Eiji Okuyama
mowl Co., Ltd.
For the opening of mowl Osaka, we commissioned Brazilian graffiti artist TitiFreak, with whom we’ve collaborated for many years, to create artwork for the entrance. Based in São Paulo, TitiFreak has worked with major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Converse, and has spread street art with his unique perspective and skills.
His art reflects new viewpoints on urban spaces and nature, chaos, dreams, and human activity. This time, his artwork has beautifully merged with the mowl world, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece, sending a message from Osaka to the world.
From the moment you step into the store, mowl Osaka aims to be a new hub for street culture, where various cultures intersect and grow together.
We will be welcoming a special guest from the U.S. with close ties to mowl and will be hosting an event on the first day of mowl Osaka, fitting for the occasion. We will provide more details about the event at a later date, so please stay tuned and look forward to it!
mowl Osaka
1-2-21 Ebisu Honmachi
Naniwa-ku, Osaka Japan 556-0013
The store will open at 12 PM, so customers wishing to purchase items should wait in line at the entrance.
From 12 PM to 3 PM, we will host a meet-and-greet event, followed by live performances/showcases from 3 PM to 9 PM.
Please refrain from bringing food or drinks.
Depending on the number of visitors, we may limit entry or distribute tickets.
When playing yo-yo, ensure the surrounding area is clear of people and objects, and avoid dangerous play.
If a line forms, please be prepared to wait for entry.
Please refrain from making noise outside the store to avoid disturbing the neighbors.
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