Japan’s First Store Designed by the New Material Research Laboratory (SHINSOKEN); Exclusive Collaborative Item with Hakimono Sekizuka Available Only at This Location
Goldwin Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Takao Watanabe) and Buddy Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto; President: Tomoki Dosaka) will open the first flagship store in the Kansai region for the former’s own original brand, Goldwin. Named Goldwin Kyoto, the new store will open on Friday, May 23, 2025 in Kyoto City.
This is Goldwin’s first store in Japan to be designed by renowned architect Tomoyuki Sakakida of the New Material Research Laboratory (SHINSOKEN). The store will showcase a lineup of products that embody the brand’s commitment to detail and express a uniquely Japanese sense of functional beauty, blending traditional aesthetics with timeless design. It will also feature the full collection of Goldwin 0, the brand’s experimental platform that explores new possibilities in design and functionality.
■Spatial concept
Geological strata (chiso) are natural beauty in concrete form. Laid down over endless eons, they reveal themselves to us weathered by wind and rain in wild, open spaces. Meanwhile, Goldwin’s products embody functional beauty drawing on knowledge (chishiki) and insight (chiken) accumulated over long experience and patient achievement. Combining geological and intellectual strata gives the concept of “layered chi,” which finds embodiment in striking, fascinating materials to create the space that is Goldwin Kyoto.
The structure of the space allows the breeze to pass straight through from forecourt to courtyard, with neatly stone-paved floors imparting a sense of continuity and inviting visitors within. A massive vessel of Honmikage stone sits in the foyer, rich in implications and symbolically accepting whatever the wind carries in. The hand-tufted carpeting in the salon has a willow motif with a shimmering effect created by the use of Kasuri-dyed yarn with gradated colors. Walls and partitions throughout are of paulownia and bamboo, which have a supple vigor evoking Goldwin’s own rapid advances, while skiing motifs reflecting the brand’s origin find expression in the shape of the fixtures. Weathering caused by the passage of time is expressed through the use of exquisite Hirukawa and Kiso granite in both forecourt and courtyard. Here the design suggests seeds of every kind brought hither by the wind naturally taking root, sprouting, and transforming amid the rocks, creating a garden where the cycles of nature borne on the winds are palpable.
In Goldwin Kyoto, the first Goldwin store in Japan to be designed by the New Material Research Laboratory, natural materials and high-quality products work in harmony with the breeze to create an easy, relaxed connection between indoor and outdoor space. New Material Research Laboratory
■ Limited-Edition Products Fusing Japanese Tradition with Modern Functionality in Collaboration with Hakimono Sekizuka
Goldwin’s philosophy of “bridging nature and the city” meets the craftsmanship of Hakimono Sekizuka, resulting in a special pair of footwear that blends traditional Japanese design with modern functionality. The design is based on a classic model developed by master shoemaker Shinji Sekizuka, and reimagined to seamlessly integrate into contemporary lifestyles while honoring the heritage of traditional Japanese footwear culture. It features a footbed with high-quality natural leather, as well as a durable, high-traction Vibram Sole that is commonly used in mountaineering boots. The thong strap (hanao) incorporates upcycled fabric offcuts from Goldwin’s apparel production process, offering both environmental consciousness alongside a comfortable, thoughtful design that gently wraps around the feet.
With equal consideration for both comfort and appearance, this meticulously crafted pair embodies a balance of everyday functionality and refined aesthetics down to the smallest detail.
This exclusive item will be available only at Goldwin Kyoto, with an online release on the Goldwin Online Store scheduled at a later date.
・Product details
Item number: GWSK25S001
Product name: Goldwin/Hakimono Sekizuka
Color options: BLACK, TAN
Available sizes: XS (22–23 cm), S (23.5–24.5 cm), L (25.5–26.5 cm), XL (27–28 cm)
Retail price: ¥63,800 (incl. tax)
■ Details on Goldwin Kyoto
Name: Goldwin Kyoto
Location: 460 Sakai-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8065, Japan
Business hours:
12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday
11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays
Floor space: Approximately 181 m2
Products available: All categories in the Goldwin brand, including skiing, outdoor activities, athletics, and lifestyle clothing, accessories, and bags.
Instagram: @goldwin_kyoto
Goldwin brand site: https://www.goldwin-global.com/jp/
List of Goldwin Stores: https://www.goldwin-global.com/jp/shoplist/
■ Message from Shinji Kawada, Managing Director and Head of the Goldwin Business Division
We are truly delighted to be opening a new Goldwin store in Kyoto. As a city where Japanese tradition and modernity coexist in harmony, Kyoto holds special significance for us. We see deep meaning in starting a new chapter in the story of our brand within such a culturally rich and inspiring location.
Goldwin has long been committed to offering functional and beautifully designed apparel that supports active lifestyles. At this new store, visitors will not only be able to experience our latest collections, but also enjoy a comfortable space that reflects the natural beauty of Kyoto.