John Lobb has opened its first-ever Kyoto store, taking its total store count in Japan to seven locations.
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Located in historic Shinmonzen – an area known for its art, antiques and handicrafts – the new John Lobb Kyoto store is housed in one of the city’s traditional wooden machiya townhouses.
Spanning 86 square metres, the two-story location was designed by architect Teruhiro Yanagihara and balances the modernity of the English brand’s architectural signature with Japanese time- honoured customs. The store design features several monikers of Kyoto’s cultural heritage, including an interior patio and a traditional wooden façade
with two white fabric Noren curtains hung over the storefront.
Inside, the new boutique showcases both John Lobb’s expertise in footwear and the
local tradition of superb craftsmanship. As well as the Lobb classics and new
additions to the collections, visitors will be able to purchase custom orders and
commission bespoke pairs in-store.
John Lobb opened its debut store in Japan some twenty years ago. The high-end footwear brand boast locations in Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo.
“This new opening underscores the house’s affinity with Japan and the steadfast loyalty of its many local patrons,” said the company in a press release.
Founded by John Lobb in the United Kingdom in 1866, the luxury footwear brand today manufactures and retails an exclusive range of bespoke and ready-to-wear shoes for men. Outside of Japan, John Lobb stores can be find be found across the Asia Pacific in Australia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand.