JUNE 22, 2009 -- Passers-by might do a double take when they see the new storefront on India Street in Little Italy. It’s reasonable to expect pizzerias and coffee shops. But a water boutique? From Japan?
Daisuke Miura is the CEO of Numero Water Boutique (619-236-8369; numerowater.com), a shop that opened in mid-June. The company sells pricey water from Japan’s Mount Fuji in what Miura says is the biggest bottled-water market in the world—San Diego.
The former second-floor condo sales office has been impressively reworked. The entrance includes monkey statues and a living plant wall that leads the eye up. Upstairs is an open space where foot baths are offered with an expansive view overlooking India Street. Wall decorations include framed samurai headbands.
The design reflects modern, urban Japan and wabi sabi, a philosophy that loosely translates to an appreciation of nature and the fleetingness and imperfection of life, art and human endeavors.
Miura and his associates set out to create a new business that is part spa – and part something completely different.
After all, how many other businesses feature tea-tenders? Currently, Numero is giving free tastings at a green tea bar that features 25 types of the healthful brew. The tea bar is tucked around the corner from the main space, with a view of a Zen garden. The room is connected to a tea ceremony room and reflexology room. Matcha is one house specialty. A strong green tea that is whisked with a small amount of water and drunk out of bowl, it is somewhat similar to a very green shot of espresso.
Several types of spring water are available, including one that Miura touts as the “softest water in the world.” And he proposes a surprising use for it: cooking.
The shop also offers more traditional spa type treatments including a hot spring foot bath and reflexology. Office manager Debbi Ditomaso says that in a bow to Karate Kid, the store has an electric massage chair that’s been dubbed: “Mr. Massage-y.”
(R. Adam Ward is a freelance writer. To read more of his work, go to radamward.com.)
