How much can we truly carry with us—while still feeling free?
It's not about forcing ourselves to give things up.
It's about finding a quiet discipline—one that feels natural and comfortable.
It was Yoichiro Aso—a cook and essayist—who showed us that carrying just one bag can make it all possible.
There’s a quiet richness in him—found in his gentle expression and the graceful way he carries himself, like the depth and character of well-worn leather.
"If anyone could carry the Mercado Tote with ease, it would be him."
The moment we saw him, we just knew. So we asked—would you try carrying it for us?
And then, a few months later, we visited his atelier—tucked away on the ground floor of an apartment building.
In the garden, a large loquat tree flourishes, while furniture inherited from friends rests gently in the space—each piece adding to the quiet comfort of the atelier.
In a space that felt almost like a secret hideaway—dim, warm, and richly comforting—we sat quietly, sipping fragrant, chilled tea, letting the moment unfold slowly and softly.
Just the right size—enough to hold what you need, without ever feeling too much.
“You know, when someone offers to carry my bag, they almost always go, ‘Whoa, that’s heavy!’ and ask, ‘What do you even have in here?’”
Aso admits he tends to carry quite a bit with him in everyday life.
“I start thinking—maybe I’ll need this, or that. Maybe it’ll be easier tomorrow if I read through these documents while I’m out. And before I know it, my bag is full.”
“I say it’s just a little walk to clear my head, but the moment I bring a big bag, that’s it. I end up buying way too much, and there’s no going back.”
That’s where the Mercado Tote comes in. Measuring 28cm wide, 24cm high, and 13cm deep, with handles about 38cm long, it’s about the size of a small basket.
“It’s one of the smaller bags I own, but that size feels just right for me now.”
I want to carry less, and move forward more lightly.
By choosing only what fits inside the Mercado Tote, I’m learning to do just that.
“First, there’s my wallet. Then my card case, eco bag, pen case, a pouch for cables, and my camera. Oh, and the documents I stuffed in earlier.
Everything I need to get through the day—it all fit perfectly, with just a bit of room to spare.”
And even when I happen to buy a book on a whim, it still fits—just right.
Not too much, never too little. It made me realize how thoughtfully this size was designed.
For everyday use and more formal occasions.
Aso has always liked leather bags—and already owns a few.
“Compared to the others, this one feels especially soft. But what really stood out was the handle. I realized how much more comfortable it is when the handle itself is soft.”
For example, when you have to buy a lot of groceries.
“Sometimes I end up carrying three bags on my arm—like a proper auntie doing the shopping—but even then, this one doesn’t tire me out. It’s not flimsy like a typical eco bag, either. It holds its shape, but still feels like it fits naturally.”
And of course, it works beautifully in more formal settings too.
“You can use it casually, but you can also walk into a nice hotel without thinking twice.That, to me, is pretty remarkable.”
Recently, Aso was invited to a reception for the opening of a new high-end boutique in Ginza—and he brought along the Mercado Tote.
“Choosing the right bag for occasions like that can actually be quite tricky. If a brand has a visible logo or a bold accent, I sometimes find myself wondering, ‘Is this really the right bag for this setting?’
But this one doesn’t make that kind of statement—and that’s exactly what I liked about it.”
Choosing based on my own perspective, not someone else’s.
“I’ve always liked clothes, in my own way. You never know who might see you, so even when I dress casually, I try to make sure I still look presentable.
But I don’t think it needs to be overdone. Lately, I’ve been choosing things more from my own perspective than someone else’s. I think being comfortable—that quiet sense of ease—has become really important to me.”
ーPROFILEー
Yoichiro Aso
Cook and essayist.
Known for his home-style bento and catering—praised for their comforting, one-of-a-kind flavors—Yoichiro Aso has gained a wide following through his daily food posts on Instagram.
While working as a cook, he has also authored several essay-and-recipe collections drawn from personal experience, including Boku no Kondate: Honjitsu mo Otsukaresama Deshita, Boku no Itawari Meshi, and Boku no Tabemono Nikki 365 (all published by Kobunsha).
His most recent work, Boku ga Tabete Kita Omoide, Wasurerarenai Aji: My Favorite Places to Eat (published by Orange Page), is a personal guide to 22 memorable restaurants that shaped his life.
He contributes regularly to both magazines and online publications.
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/yoichiro_aso