Balloon gift store opens in Kagoshima, providing employment support for people with disabilities

PUBLISHED Nov 25, 2022

Inside the store Bee-gata Kobo Balloon Box

On November 1, the gift store Bee-gata Kobo Balloon Box opened on the first floor of Honeybee House in Murasakibaru, Kagoshima City.

Balloon Box is run by the social welfare service corporation Shiseikai. When a balloon store in Yakushi closed its doors, Shiseikai took over the business and opened a new store. The facility, where Balloon Box is located, is a Type B Continuous Employment Support Office and provides child development support services on the second and third floors. Makoto Harada, the manager, recalls, “Balloons represent dreams. Through working with balloons, I wanted to create a place where people with disabilities could enjoy themselves with smiles on their faces.” The name is a combination of the letter “B” for the Type B support center and the word “bee.”

Inside the store, gift items arranged with balloons are displayed on the walls. They offer themed gift sets, such as for birthdays and weddings, and one-of-a-kind Diaper Cakes, an arrangement that uses a bundle of diapers to make it look like a cake. The price starts at 2,200 yen. Balloon decoration services are also available for Christmas, recitals, and other special occasions.

Customers can also choose balloons and create their own balloon arrangements, and the store offers a wide variety of single balloons (from 330 yen) that can be used as components. If customers need assistance in making their arrangements, the staff can help them if they make a reservation in advance between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Harada says, “We hope to bring smiles to people’s faces as they enjoy making balloon arrangements with us. We hope to be a place where people can unfold their dreams and make new connections.”

Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays and holidays. The store may be temporarily closed during the year-end and New Year holidays and when attending events, which will be announced on Instagram. A parking space for two cars is available.

  • Inside Bee-gata Kobo Balloon Box

  • Examples of Diper Cakes from Bee-gata Kobo Balloon Box

  • Products for Christmas at Bee-gata Kobo Balloon Box

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