apple's first store in kyoto references japanese lanterns

apple has teased images of its first store in the japanese city of kyoto, which is set to open its doors to the public. the venue is located on shijō dori, a street surrounded by many of kyoto’s famous shrines and temples, which has served as the city’s main shopping corridor since the 1600s.

the store is located on shijō dori, which has served as the city’s main shopping corridor since the 1600s
image courtesy of apple

japan was home to the tech giant’s first store outside the US, opening in tokyo in 2003. apple says that is currently undergoing a retail expansion in the country, which will see the opening of several new stores as well as the remodeling many others.

‘apple kyoto’ is centered around a multi-level atrium
image courtesy of apple

the design, developed alongside foster + partners, references materials found in the region, with the upper levels clad in a translucent envelope inspired by japanese lanterns. meanwhile, the use of a lightweight timber frame and special paper on the upper façade recalls the country’s traditional houses.

the store’s upper levels are clad in a translucent envelope inspired by japanese lanterns
image courtesy of apple

the building is centered around a multi-level atrium where the store will offer free daily sessions on photography, music, coding, and more. the store will open to the public on saturday august 25, 2018, but in the meantime take a look below at the instagram posts of those lucky enough to have already been inside.

#applekyoto が25日にオープン！スティーブ・ジョブズシアターと同じ仕様の美しい階段や障子のようなディテールなど、超絶こだわりストアでした。
A post shared by Taro Kiguma (@tarokiguma) on Aug 23, 2018 at 2:08am PDT

This Saturday will mark the opening of #AppleKyoto .One of Apple’s flagship retail stores in Japan that features many Japan first. It also marries the best of Apple’s global branding and Japanese traditional themes like Andon (Japanese lantern), Shoji and Shilkkui. 土曜朝10時、京都は四条高倉にアップル京都がオープンします。日本初のビジネス顧客向けの打ち合わせスペース、ボードルームやアップル本社、スティーブ・ジョブズシアターと同じ人工大理石の階段といったアップルの新しい国際ブランディングの要素(Foster+Partnersと開発)に加え、京都らしく日本の伝統を感じさせる要素も多用しています。例えば店のファサードは行燈をイメージしていたり、２階の壁は障子風(紙とアクリルを混ぜた独自開発のマテリアル？)、そして京都の左官屋さんに頼んだら塗りが完璧過ぎてそうとはわかっめもらえなかった漆喰など。京都の裏事情に精通する人によると、この土地は元々そごうの持ち物で、それをパルコさんに融通した後、ヒュ… ま、色々あってかなり複雑なようです 😉 @ Apple 京都
A post shared by Nobuyuki Hayashi (@nobihaya) on Aug 23, 2018 at 1:19am PDT