Shopify builds and supportfrom the developerbehind the apps.
Pepin builds and runs four Shopify apps in the Maru series. From new builds, migrations and custom features to improvements after launch, the developer behind those apps works with you directly from the first call.
New builds from ¥500k (excl. tax). The first 30-minute consultation is free.
Why us
What you get from an app developer
A Shopify store is a combination of a theme and apps. As an app developer, we look inside that combination every day, so we can decide what to install, what to skip, and build what's missing.
01
Build what's missing
Off-the-shelf apps often don't fit how a business actually works. When that happens, we build what you need with custom apps, Shopify Functions or theme app extensions. The work is done by a developer who has shipped apps through App Store review.
02
Don't over-install apps
Apps are convenient, but each one adds weight to your pages and to your monthly bill. Because we know what apps load and where they keep data, we separate what needs an app from what a theme setting can handle.
03
Our own apps, built in
Bookings, site search, invoices and sales rankings can run on our own apps, set up end to end by the same person. When they aren't the right fit, we recommend other apps.
04
Launch is the start
After launch, the monthly plan keeps things moving: analytics, data-driven improvements, and pages that search engines and AI search can understand.
Equal Partners
Not a vendor, but part of your team.
We build with you as equal partners, not as a vendor you hand work to. Here is what we commit to.
- 01
The person you talk to builds it
The developer who takes your call designs and implements the work. Nothing gets lost in hand-offs, so decisions turn into results quickly.
- 02
Your store stays yours
We set up the store in your name and hand over admin access, theme code and setup documents. The Maru apps are public App Store apps, so you can keep using them after our contract ends.
- 03
So you can run it yourselves
We document day-to-day tasks such as adding products and updating pages so your team can handle them without us.
Work
Shopify sites we've built
We handled direction, design and implementation on both sites.

Karen Moriyama
Collaboration with DE BLANKK Inc. E-commerce site for the Karen Moriyama brand, built on Shopify.

DE BLANKK
Collaboration with DE BLANKK Inc. Direction, design, and coding for their corporate website, built on Shopify.
The developer behind Pepin has built platform services used by more than five million people and e-commerce sites for an international manufacturer, serving there as the only in-house engineer on the Shopify store build and its ongoing improvement. Pepin was founded in 2026 and continues to build and run Shopify apps.
Services & pricing
Services and estimated pricing
All prices are estimates excluding tax. We send a quote after learning about your store and scope.
New store build
¥500k+excl. tax
Typical timeline: 2–3 months
Best for
Businesses starting a store on Shopify
Includes
- Page structure and purchase flow design
- Design and theme implementation
- Initial setup for products, shipping and payments
- App selection and setup
- Analytics and basic SEO setup
- Hands-on training after launch
Migration & redesign
¥800k+excl. tax
Best for
Stores moving from BASE, STORES, MakeShop, EC-CUBE and similar platforms, or rebuilding an existing Shopify store
Includes
- Product, customer and order data migration
- Redirects from old URLs to carry over search signals
- Redesign and theme rebuild
- Review of installed apps
- Pre-launch checks and cutover
Fixes & custom features
Theme changes
¥100k+excl. tax
Custom apps & Functions
¥300k+excl. tax
Best for
Stores that need a missing feature or a fix
Includes
- Partial theme changes
- New pages and speed improvements
- Custom app development
- Shopify Functions (custom discount, delivery and payment rules)
- Integrations with external services
Monthly support
¥100k+/monthexcl. tax
Best for
Teams that want a partner for improvements after launch
Includes
- Up to 8 hours of work per month
- Monthly meeting
- Chat support
- Data-driven improvement proposals and implementation
- No minimum term
- ※ All prices exclude tax.
- ※ Shopify subscription and app fees are billed separately.
- ※ Meetings are held online, so we work with clients anywhere in Japan.
- ※ Every service is quoted after we learn about your needs.
Process
From first call to launch in seven steps
1
Free consultation (30 min)
We hear about where you are and what you want to do. It's fine if much is still undecided.
2
Proposal & quote
We send the approach, timeline and cost. This is also where we separate what an app can handle from what needs building.
3
Agreement
We put the scope, price, payment date and delivery date in writing, and start once you've confirmed it.
4
Planning & design
We define the page structure and purchase flow, then create the design.
5
Build & testing
We implement the theme and configure apps, then test with real order flows.
6
Launch
We're there for launch and hand over step-by-step guides for daily tasks.
7
Ongoing support (optional)
After launch, the monthly plan keeps analytics and improvements going. You can use it only in the months you need.
A new build typically takes 2–3 months from agreement to launch.
Using a subsidy for your build or app setup
Small businesses in Japan may be able to use the Small Business Sustainability Subsidy for a Shopify build or app setup. You apply yourself, and we provide the quote and a description of the build for your business plan.
- The subsidy covers 2/3 of eligible costs, up to ¥500k (up to ¥2.5M with special provisions). Website costs are capped at ¥300k and can't be the only item in an application, so they're combined with other sales costs such as flyers or trade shows.
- Costs contracted or ordered before the grant decision aren't covered, so the build starts after the decision.
- The subsidy is paid afterwards. Once the store is live and paid for, you report the results and then receive it.
Timeline for round 20
1
Free consultation
We check together whether to use the subsidy and when the work could start.
2
Quote and build description
We send a quote with the scope, timeline and cost breakdown, for you to use in your business plan.
3
Request to your chamber of commerce
You prepare the business plan and ask your local chamber of commerce or society of commerce (the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tokyo's 23 wards) to issue the support plan (Form 4). Requests close on 4 December.
4
Online application
You apply online between 5 November and 5 pm on 15 December.
5
Selection and grant decision
Results are expected around March 2027, and the grant decision is expected one to two months after that.
6
Agreement and build
We sign the agreement and start the build after the grant decision.
7
Report and payment
After launch and payment, you report the results and receive the subsidy.
We don't write or ghostwrite applications. For help with yours, please talk to your chamber of commerce or an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi).
Selection depends on the review, so we can't promise it. Figures and dates are from the round 20 guidelines, checked on 6 October 2026, and change from round to round.
Read the guidelines (PDF, Japanese)FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Shopify build cost?
Our estimates are ¥500k+ for a new build, ¥800k+ for migration or redesign, ¥100k+ for theme changes, ¥300k+ for custom apps or Shopify Functions, and ¥100k+ per month for ongoing support (all excluding tax). Shopify subscription and app fees are separate.
How long does it take?
A new build typically takes 2–3 months from agreement to launch. Migrations and custom features depend on data volume and scope, so we'll give you an estimate during the consultation.
Can you fix or maintain a store someone else built?
Yes. We first review the store (theme, installed apps, how much custom code there is), then tell you what we can do and what it costs.
Who works on the project? Will that person change?
A Pepin developer handles everything directly, from the consultation through design, build and ongoing support. The person doesn't change midway. We'll tell you when we can start during the consultation.
What happens to the store and apps after the contract ends?
We set up the store in your name and hand over admin access, theme code and setup documents. The Maru apps are public App Store apps, so you can keep using them after the contract ends (each app's monthly fee is separate).
If you build a custom app, where does it run?
It depends on the app. Store-specific apps built only from extensions, such as admin or checkout UI extensions and Shopify Functions, can run on Shopify without a server (apps that include Functions require Shopify Plus). If a server is needed, we decide together whether you contract it in your name or we operate it, and the cost is included in the quote.
Can every Shopify plan use Shopify Functions?
Functions inside apps published on the App Store work on every plan. Custom apps built for a single store can only use Functions on Shopify Plus. For stores on other plans, we suggest an approach that fits the plan, such as combining existing apps or building it in the theme.
Do we have to use the Maru apps?
No. We only suggest them when they fit. If another app or a theme setting does the job, we'll recommend that instead.
Is there a minimum term for monthly support?
No. You can start and stop month to month. From ¥100k per month (excl. tax), it includes up to 8 hours of work, a monthly meeting and chat support.
Do you handle SEO and AI search?
Yes. During the build we set up structured data, page speed and the structure of product page copy. After launch, the monthly plan keeps improving the store based on search data. We don't guarantee rankings or placement in AI search.
Can you work with us remotely?
Yes. Meetings are held online, so we work with clients anywhere in Japan.
Can we ask about things other than Shopify?
Yes. We also take on web service planning and development, and technical consulting. We build and run COSMA, a cosplay marketplace, ourselves.
Can we use a subsidy for a Shopify build or app setup?
You may be able to claim it as website costs under the Small Business Sustainability Subsidy. In round 20, the rate is 2/3, website costs are capped at ¥300k, and they can't be the only item in an application. Costs contracted before the grant decision aren't covered, so the build starts after the decision. You apply yourself, and we provide the quote and build description (we don't write applications). We aren't registered as an IT Introduction Support Provider, so the IT Introduction Subsidy (Digitalization and AI Adoption Subsidy) can't be used with us. We can't promise selection.
Contact
Start with a 30-minute call.
Your store URL and what's bothering you right now are enough. Even when much is undecided, we can start by sorting out priorities. We usually reply within 1–2 business days.
For example
- We want to move from BASE or STORES to Shopify
- Our store got slow as apps piled up
- We can't find an app that fits bookings or quotes
- We want help improving the store after launch
About this page
Information as of October 7, 2026. All prices are estimates excluding tax.
Provided by Pepin, developer of the Maru series of Shopify apps.



