As BEAMS JAPAN celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026, the Japanese cultural retail initiative expands its presence in Kyoto with the opening of BEAMS JAPAN GION on March 7.

Courtesy of BEAMS
Located along Shijo Street directly in front of Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, the new permanent store occupies the first floor of the Kanji Museum (Kanken Kanji Museum & Library). Operated in collaboration with the Kyoto-based company iina Co., Ltd., the store is conceived as a regional co-creation model under the label “BEAMS JAPAN GATE STORE.”

The GATE STORE concept is designed to serve as a cultural threshold—situated in destinations and transit hubs that attract both domestic and international visitors, these spaces introduce the traditions and craftsmanship of their respective regions through BEAMS JAPAN’s curatorial lens.

Courtesy of BEAMS
Within Kyoto Prefecture, BEAMS JAPAN has operated a permanent store at Shinpukan since 2020 and another in Maizuru since 2024. The Gion location becomes the brand’s third permanent presence in Kyoto and its 11th nationwide.


Exclusive Items Created with Gion-Based Artisans
BEAMS JAPAN GION will feature a selection of store-exclusive products developed in collaboration with local Gion businesses and artisans.

Highlights include Kyoto-style round uchiwa fans by Komaruya, lacquered round geta by Gion Naito, sukiya-bukuro pouches by Homdaya Genbei, and folding fans by Miyawaki Baisenan—objects rooted in Kyoto’s long-standing craft traditions. Stationery, chirimen drawstring pouches, and Gion Festival-inspired coasters and furoshiki cloths further translate local culture into everyday form.

Courtesy of BEAMS
In addition, a range of BEAMS JAPAN GION-branded items—including logo T-shirts, lunch tote bags, pouches, magnets, wooden practice swords, shogi keychains, and even a symbolic “travel pass”—introduces a playful dimension. As with many BEAMS JAPAN projects, tradition and contemporary pop sensibility intersect through thoughtful editing rather than mere merchandising.


A Decade of BEAMS JAPAN and Cultural Partnership
Founded as a platform to showcase the appeal of Japan’s regional culture and craftsmanship, BEAMS JAPAN marks its 10th anniversary in April 2026. In 2025, BEAMS Co., Ltd. was certified as an official partner under the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Japan Heritage Official Partnership Program,” which promotes the experience and global communication of Japan’s recognized cultural narratives.

The opening in Gion—a district synonymous with Kyoto’s layered history—aligns with this broader commitment to connecting heritage with contemporary audiences.

Courtesy of BEAMS
In addition to the Kyoto launch, limited-time stores will open in Morioka (Iwate) on March 14 and at Shinagawa Station in Tokyo on March 19. From April 2026 through February 2027, the brand will also host the BEAMS JAPAN POP UP TOUR, traveling across 10 cities nationwide.