About Us

Hello! Thank you for visiting My Store “Otherwayside”

My name is Maiko I own and curate for this store. I am originally from Japan, I have been living in NZ for 30 years. My Unique and Beautiful concept store "Otherwayside" has started 12 years ago when I became a mother to my daughter Mei. I felt a very strong needs to reconnect with my own root. during this time I became very interested in my own cultural traditional art and craftsmanship, I left my home country and moved to New Zealand in my teenage years so I only had a small knowledge of my own culture.

Japan is very well known for traditional Art and the beautiful process of making things. I especially interested in pieces that are made of natural materials.by growing up in the countryside of Japan and spending many years working outdoors n New Zealand has made me become very conscious of  environmental issues and importance of being sustainable.

I travel back to Japan every year to visit various locations mainly to reconnect with Japanese culture and discover beautiful and interesting places which still continuing Japanese traditional practice 

Recent years I've found myself re-engaging with beautiful traditional textiles and its own unique history and purpose while exploring designs and ideas to wear such suitable garments. 

I attend various local Markets and events to sell specially curated pieces and handmade textiles