RAKUJU SHOJI
From Kyoto’s Craftsmanship to North American Markets.
Rakuju Shoji Co., Ltd. is a Kyoto-based trading and sales company. We select Japanese cosmetics, daily goods, household products and artisan-made pieces from Kyoto, and export and sell them in North America through our North American subsidiary and our own store, KYOTO STANDARD.
Zero Financial Risk
No Channel Conflict
Fully Localized, End to End
THREE PHASES
Three Phases to Global Markets
Curation
We select Kyoto’s finest manufacturers through rigorous quality standards.
North American Retail Networks
Alongside KYOTO STANDARD, we are expanding wholesale sales to local retailers in North America, bringing selected Japanese products to more points of sale.
Selection and Category Expansion
We broaden our selection of Japanese cosmetics, daily goods, household products and Kyoto artisan-made pieces, and provide consulting on the overseas expansion of Japanese products.
ARTISANS
Kyoto’s Artisans
Stories of Kyoto’s master craftspeople — centuries of tradition, uncompromising quality. No product listings, just the stories behind the craft.
EXPERT TEAM
Our Expert Team
A team of specialists in Japanese market entry, cross-border compliance, and DTC operations.
SALES FRONTEND
KYOTO STANDARD
We have opened KYOTO STANDARD, the own-brand store of Rakuju North America, our North American sales base.
North America
Rakuju North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rakuju Shoji Co., Ltd. The two operate as one Japan–North America team. Our base is in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Our North America base is in Salt Lake City, Utah. Great nature, a growing economy, and a deep bond with Japan — an introduction to the land of Utah.
Kyoto
Aug 2026 — Accepted into JETRO Kyoto’s startup program.
Oct 2026 — Rakuju Shoji Co., Ltd. established in Kyoto.
Salt Lake City
Oct 2026 — Rakuju North America, Inc. incorporated in Utah.
Oct 2026 — Salt Lake City office established; U.S. bank accounts opened and local operations in place.
Nov 2026 — Opened our own store, KYOTO STANDARD, and published the first collection.
Shijie Qu — Founder
Shijie Qu has spent two decades building businesses across Asia and North America, spanning cross-border payments, financial infrastructure and international trade. He established Rakuju in Kyoto and Salt Lake City on a simple conviction: Japan’s finest small producers deserve a serious, permanent home in North America — and a trading house earns that role through selection, compliance and staying power, not catalogues.
“We choose few things, and stand behind each one.”