Lycka, an interior store in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, based on the concept of Scandinavian culture Lycka", an interior shop in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, based on the concept of Scandinavian culture, will hold a "Christmas Fair" from 11/15 (Wed) to 12/25 (Mon). The Christmas Fair, including books, will be held from 11/15 (Wed.) to 12/25 (Mon.)!

Lycka, an interior store operated by Altstar Corporation (Head office: Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture; President: Yoshiko Buerl), an importer and seller of Scandinavian interior products, is holding a "Christmas Fair" from November 15 (Wed) to December 25 (Mon), 2023.

Official website: https://shop.alto-star.com/

Interior store "Lycka" (1)

Interior store "Lycka" (2)

Lycka is a store based on the concept of "Hygge," which symbolizes the Scandinavian Danish lifestyle. Hygge means "coziness" in Japanese. A place or time that makes you feel happy has pleasant conversation and a comfortable atmosphere. That is what hygge is.

The charm of hygge is that you can enjoy a rich lifestyle without spending money. In the coming cold season, you can enjoy the real Scandinavian Christmas spirit and "stay-in time" even more by incorporating hygge into your home.

In this issue, we would like to introduce three items we particularly recommend.

Books about Hygge and Christmas

In Denmark, it is almost time to start reading to children. In preparation for the long, cold winter, adults and children read stories together with their families and friends in a warm room. For this year's Christmas Fair, we have asked "Ehongohondo" in Karuizawa to make a selection, and have gathered books that are not easily found in nearby bookstores, that fit the concept of Hygge, and that have themes appropriate for the Christmas and holiday season.

■"Tomte," a Scandinavian fairy

Tomte" is said to be indispensable for Christmas in Scandinavia. A dwarf fairy handed down in Scandinavian folklore for centuries, Tomte has a round nose and long goatee, and wears a hat with deep eyes. They have long been popular as "dwarfs who bring happiness," and it is said that a house with them will be happy.

They are also said to "help Santa Claus," and when Christmas approaches, Tomte dolls are displayed around the house in Scandinavia. Please enjoy the time leading up to Christmas by decorating your home with Tomte.

(From 1,364 yen including tax)

Scandinavian fairy "Tomte" (1)

Tomte, the Scandinavian fairy (2)

■"Flatyz" candles that do not drip wax

Flatyz" is a candle that uses Lithuanian handmade technology.

Each candle is painted with a special technique on a flat surface measuring 16 x 6 x 1 cm, about the size of a smartphone, and is very popular as art that can be easily displayed in a room. The technology used to create the thin, flat surface of the candles has been patented in Europe. Another important feature of these high-quality candles is that they do not emit smoke, and the wax does not drip when lit. At this fair, items such as those used for the event display will be sold at a special price.

(From 1,650 yen including tax)

Candle "Flatyz" with no dripping wax (1)

Flatyz" candle with no dripping wax (2)

Interior store Lycka will continue to offer tips to enrich your mind and life and make your everyday life more comfortable.

Store Outline

Store name ： Lycka

Location ： 62-1 Chikunawa-cho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture

Access： 15 minutes by car from Takasaki Station

Business hours： 10:00-18:00 (closed on Sundays)

Parking: Yes

Lycka HP： https://shop.alto-star.com/

Outline of Altstar Inc.

Company name: Altstar Inc.

Representative: Yoshiko Buell, President and Representative Director

Location : 257-7 Kaminamieno-cho, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0801

Establishment : 2006

Business description: Product development using new materials, consulting for import/export and mail-order businesses, store operation, etc.

URL ： https://www.alto-star.com/

◆Representative Yoshiko Buell Biography

Representative Director of Altstar Corporation and Iden Corporation, Founder of Apex Inc.

Well-being advisor and Nordic style work-life designer.

Studied in Canada after graduating from high school, married a Canadian man while still in university, and returned home to become a mother.

Established in 1989 and represented for many years, Apex, an import trading company, supplies many Japanese companies with Scandinavian products as a Japanese agent for seven major Scandinavian manufacturers, including the world-famous Danish brand "menu". 2020 saw the company and Altstar Corporation achieve combined annual sales of approximately 4 billion yen. He has also successfully completed M&As with listed companies.

Currently, he imports new materials and products from overseas at Altstar Inc. and Iden Inc. and is also engaged in joint development with many companies with an awareness of the SDGs.

On the other hand, since being dispatched by JETRO in 1998, he has been closely associated with the Scandinavian lifestyle and was one of the first to introduce "Hygge" to Japan as a "Scandinavian-style work-life designer. As a leading authority on Hygge, he has introduced the concept in Japan on TV and in magazines, and also gives various lectures on the theme of "Happiness".

In 2022, he also started working as a "well-being advisor.

Her books include "Simple and Rich Living in Denmark, the Happiest Country in the World (Daiwa Shobo)" and "fika: The Happiest Way to Rest and Work in Northern Europe (Kiragenne)".

Yoshiko Buell's official blog: "Drawers of the world from a Scandinavian perspective. Let's enjoy our lives more!

https://ja-jp.facebook.com/yoshiko.buell.official/