There is something rather special happening on Bree Street. After five wonderful years at the Cape Quarter, Setamono Japanese Living has found a new home at 130 Bree Street, Cape Town, unveiling a flagship store, alongside new branding, that promises to offer something entirely different to the South African retail landscape.
Inspired by Japanese design philosophies, the space showcases a carefully curated collection of exceptional craftsmanship.
Behind this exciting new chapter are husband-and-wife team Darrin and Camilla Morrisby, whose shared passion for Japan, its people, craftsmanship and way of living has shaped Setamono into one of Cape Town’s most distinctive independent lifestyle destinations.
The same passionate family-run business. The same extraordinary collection of authentic Japanese-inspired products. But an entirely reimagined space, designed to transport visitors beyond the traditional shopping experience and into the fascinating world of Japanese living.
A Family Passion, A Japanese Inspiration
For Darrin and Camilla Morrisby, Setamono has always been far more than a business. It is the expression of a shared fascination with Japanese culture and a belief that beautifully made, thoughtfully designed objects can enrich everyday life.
Darrin’s journey began in the world of international hospitality. With more than 25 years of experience across South Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom and the Middle East, his appreciation for exceptional food, design and craftsmanship was shaped by years spent working in and experiencing some of the world’s finest restaurants.
His fascination with Japanese ceramics, culinary traditions and the extraordinary attention to detail found in Japanese craftsmanship led to the establishment of Setamono in 2015, initially supplying distinctive artisan tableware to South Africa’s leading chefs and restaurants.
Together with Camilla, Darrin has since developed Setamono into a much broader lifestyle offering, introducing South Africans to an ever-growing collection of authentic Japanese objects for the home and everyday living.
Their shared vision has always been guided by a simple principle: to source products that are not only beautiful and functional, but which carry a sense of history, purpose and the remarkable skill of the people who make them. The new flagship store is the culmination of that vision.
More Than a Store. An Experience.
At a time when so much of retail has become transactional, Setamono is taking a different approach.
Its new flagship is a celebration of discovery, craftsmanship and the beauty of everyday rituals. Inspired by Japanese design philosophies, the space brings together natural materials, considered details and a carefully curated collection of objects that tell stories of heritage, ingenuity and exceptional craftsmanship.
From exquisite handmade ceramics and traditional kitchen knives to contemporary Japanese design, stationery, textiles, lighting, skincare and the ancient rituals of tea, every corner invites visitors to slow down, explore and discover something unexpected. This is not simply a store selling Japanese products. It is an invitation to experience a different way of living.
From the Japanese Kitchen to the Art of Living
Food lovers will discover an exceptional selection of Japanese culinary essentials, including beautiful handcrafted ceramics from Miyake, precision kitchen knives from Seki Kanetsugu, traditional cookware from GINPO, an incredible range of kitchen accessories, alongside authentic Japanese ingredients, teas and ceremonial matcha sets.
Design enthusiasts can explore everything from colourful TOYO Steel toolboxes and sculptural Shiraki Kougei Japanese cochin lanterns to beautifully crafted Watanabe notebooks, Sailor and Platinum fountain pens, Daitou Shingu gauze loungewear and pyjamas, and unique functional objects that blur the boundaries between art and utility.
The collections extend to Frenava’s organic Japanese skincare ranges and Yamamoto’s konjac sponges, Yoshii’s traditional imabari towels, beautifully crafted HAZE candles and DAILY incenses, and everyday objects that reflect Japan’s extraordinary ability to find beauty in the practical.
Many of the products come from specialist Japanese makers, family-run workshops and heritage manufacturers, preserving skills and traditions passed down through generations.
For Darrin and Camilla, the pleasure lies as much in discovering these remarkable makers as in sharing their stories with customers back home.
A New Chapter on Bree Street
With its vibrant mix of restaurants, galleries, independent boutiques and creative businesses, Bree Street provides a fitting new home for Setamono.
After five years at the Cape Quarter, the move represents both a natural evolution and an ambitious new beginning for the family business.
The flagship store allows Darrin and Camilla to bring together the many dimensions of Japanese living in a more immersive, thoughtfully designed environment. It is a destination for passionate home cooks, interior designers, collectors, travellers and anyone curious about Japanese culture.
Above all, it remains a deeply personal endeavour, shaped by the founders’ enthusiasm, their relationships with Japanese suppliers and their commitment to bringing something genuinely different to South Africa.
While the surroundings may have changed, the heart of Setamono remains exactly the same. A new address. A new experience. The same enduring love of Japan.
Visit Setamono Japanese Living’s new flagship store at Manhattan Place, 130 Bree Street, Cape Town. For more information, visit the links below.
setamono.com | Facebook | Instagram
*Images supplied. Photography by Claire Gunn.
