Apple to Open its First Store in Kyoto, Japan this Saturday

Apple will open its first retail store in Kyoto, a cultural and technological hub for Japan, this Saturday.

The brick-and-mortar retail store is located on the Shij? Dori street, which has been Kyoto’s main shopping corridor since the 1600s. The grand opening celebration will be held Saturday, August 25, at 10 am local time, according to the store’s listing on Apple’s Retail webpage.

“Apple Kyoto’s architecture takes inspiration from local design and materials, with the upper levels clad in a translucent envelope inspired by Japanese lanterns,” reads Apple’s press release. “The use of lightweight timber frame and special paper on the upper facade also draw reference to the country’s traditional houses. The building is centered around a multi-level atrium that is also where the store will offer free Today at Apple sessions daily on photography, music, coding and more.”

The Kyoto location is the second of three new stores in Japan, which Apple promised earlier this year in a teaser image posted on it’s retail website. The first, Apple Shinjuku, opened in April and replaced a small Apple Watch shop across the street. In late November 2017, Apple’s store in Shibuya closed for renovations which are expected to be completed before the end of the year.

“Japan was home to Apple’s first store outside the US, opening in Tokyo in 2003,” the press release concludes. “Apple is in the midst of a retail expansion in the country, opening several new stores, and remodeling many others, in the coming years.”

To celebrate the new Kyoto store Apple has created a wallpaper, which is downloadable here.