Meet Kumiko Hidaka | Founder and Owner of The Kogei Shop

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kumiko Hidaka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kumiko, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My life has always been a tale of two cultures—Tokyo and California—and I knew early on that I wanted to build a path that bridged the two.

Growing up, some of my fondest memories were gathered around the table my grandmother and mother created for our family and guests. Delicious home-cooked dishes were served in beautiful tableware, accompanied by lively conversation. It wasn’t just a feast for the senses; it quietly taught me the importance of connection—to the people, objects, and moments that shape our lives.

I also began collecting ceramics from a young age, often bringing home pieces as gifts and souvenirs from my travels. Over the past 15 years, I visited many local kilns and met potters and artisans across Japan, whose extraordinary craftsmanship reflects generations of skill and dedication, yet remains relatively unknown and difficult to access outside of Japan.

When I moved back to LA in 2021, I noticed there were only a handful of stores offering the kind of unique, handmade Japanese pottery I loved, even as Japanese food, fashion, and culture had become increasingly mainstream. At the same time, I saw a growing appreciation for thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and the stories behind the objects we bring into our homes. Together with the enthusiasm I encountered whenever I shared pieces from my own collection, it reinforced my belief that there was an opportunity to introduce more people to these remarkable makers.

So, after more than 20 years in the corporate world, I decided to take the leap and launch The Kogei Shop. The business was born from my Japanese and American bicultural upbringing, my belief in the grounding power of community, and my love for objects that marry beauty with utility. Through The Kogei Shop, I hope to imbue everyday life with beauty, joy, and meaning, while supporting the art of local craftspeople across Japan.

What should our readers know about your business?
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 art of everyday living—where beauty is found in craftsmanship, design, and purpose. We collaborate with artisans across Japan to curate a collection of handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces that marry beauty with utility, blending Japanese artistry with a modern sensibility.

What sets us apart is our focus not just on the objects themselves, but on the stories, traditions, and people behind them. 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 where your food comes from matters, understanding who made the objects you use weaves humanity, warmth, and appreciation into the daily rituals that have sustained us for generations.

I’m still relatively early in my journey as a small business owner, and I can tell you that you learn something new every day. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to embrace the mindset that “done is better than perfect.” As someone who naturally strives for excellence, I can easily get caught up in refining and reworking things in pursuit of an ideal outcome. But entrepreneurship has taught me that progress comes from action and learning, not perfection.

Before launching The Kogei Shop, I spent months tweaking the website, wanting every detail to be just right. It wasn’t until I finally launched that I began receiving valuable feedback from friends and customers—insights that helped me make far more meaningful improvements than I could have made on my own. That experience reinforced an important lesson: it’s easy to mistake being busy for making progress. What truly moves you forward is putting your work into the world, learning from the results, and continuing to iterate.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about The Kogei Shop, it’s that we’re about more than beautiful objects. We’re about fostering connection—to the makers who dedicate their lives to preserving traditional crafts, to the people we gather around the table with, and to the everyday rituals that bring beauty, joy, and meaning into our lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love hosting friends—whether it’s around my dining table or for an out-of-town visit. And when you live in Los Angeles, there’s never a shortage of people eager to come explore the city. I usually tailor the itinerary to each visitor’s interests, but there are a few quintessential Los Angeles experiences that I find myself recommending again and again.

One of the things I love most about LA is that it’s a city of contrasts. You can spend the morning hiking in the mountains, the afternoon wandering through world-class museums, and the evening enjoying incredible food from almost every corner of the globe. It’s that diversity of experiences, neighborhoods, and people that makes the city so special.

Here are a few of my favorite stops and activities for a week in LA:

For the outdoors: I love hiking up to see the Hollywood Sign from the back via the trails to the top of Mt. Lee, exploring the quieter, less-traveled paths on the northeast side of Griffith Park, or taking in sweeping ocean views along the coastal trails of Palos Verdes, where I grew up. For a more laid-back outdoor experience, Descanso Gardens is beautiful any time of year, while the Angeles National Forest offers more challenging routes for my serious hiker friends.

For culture: The Broad is always worth a visit, both for its impressive permanent collection and its thoughtfully curated special exhibitions. I highly recommend the current Yoko Ono exhibition. The MOCA Geffen Contemporary often houses awe-inspiring large-scale exhibits, and the Petersen Automotive is great for auto enthusiast. I’m also excited about the new Geffen Galleries at LACMA, whose innovative architecture and exhibition design make the experience just as compelling as the art itself.

For walkable neighborhoods and shopping: I often bring visitors to The ROW DTLA and the Arts District, where you’ll find a great mix of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. Melrose Avenue around Orange Grove is a favorite for interior design and home furnishings, while Silver Lake’s Sunset Junction offers a more neighborhood feel with great boutiques, cafés, and people-watching.

For food: It’s so hard to choose a favorite, but some of my go-to spots include Burritos La Palma, Osusume Fumio, Republique, Etra, Holy Basil, Ayara Thai, Bodega Park, Friends & Family, and Soban.

As much as I love showing visitors the best of Los Angeles, I also try to incorporate a quieter, more personal moment at home—a home-cooked meal served on some of my most cherished pieces, accompanied by intimate conversation that continues long after the plates have been cleared. Those who know me also know that a good brunch is non-negotiable, so that’s always part of their stay at my house. In the end, those are the experiences that stay with us, and they’re a big part of why I started The Kogei Shop in the first place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my community who’s helped me along this journey:

First, my mom, who has always encouraged me to pursue what makes me happy and to trust myself to take chances. And after long days of work, she has often been there with a warm home-cooked meal—a simple but powerful reminder of the comfort and care that inspired so much of what The Kogei Shop represents.

Second, my sister and friends, who have shown up for me in countless ways—designing my logo, becoming some of my earliest customers, helping me at markets, opening up their networks to connect me with people who could offer guidance and support, and enthusiastically spreading the word about my shop.

While launching and running a business can feel lonely at times, these acts of generosity have reminded me that entrepreneurship is rarely a solo endeavor. Behind every small business is a community of people who believe in you, cheer you on, and lend a helping hand when you need it most. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: https://thekogeishop.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_kogei_shop/

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