Apple Shares Images of Upcoming Kyoto Apple Store, Which Opens Saturday

Apple today shared some new images of its first store in Kyoto, Japan, which is located on Shijō Dori street, Kyoto's main shopping corridor.

According to Apple, the Kyoto store is surrounded by many of the famous shrines and temples in the city, with the store design taking inspiration from local architecture.

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The upper levels of the building are "clad in a translucent envelope inspired by Japanese lanterns," with Apple using a lightweight timber frame and special paper in homage to traditional Japanese houses.

Apple says the store is centered around a multi-level atrium where Today at Apple sessions on photography, music, and coding will be held on a daily basis. The interior also features a Genius Grove where customers can get help with Apple products and The Avenue, where iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices are shown off and are available for purchase alongside third-party accessories.

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As was announced last week, the new Kyoto Apple Store is set to open at 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, August 25.

Apple Kyoto will be Apple's ninth retail store in Japan, and the first that's located in Kyoto. Apple has several other stores in Tokyo, along with locations in Osaka, Aichi, Miyagi, and Fukuoka.

Top Rated Comments

meaning-matters Avatar
62 months ago
I'm longing for skeuomorphic/natural design.

I'm starting to feel alienated in a world of flat UIs, minimalistic shapes, and sans-serif communication.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bosatsu Avatar
62 months ago
The Japanese-inspired lantern exterior design isn't really very beautiful. More importantly, it blocks natural light from entering the upper storeys of the store. I prefer an open design with large pieces of crystal-clear glass windows forming the facade, rather than this design. That may be boring by now, but it works far better.
Western countries and Japan have a different view upon light and structures.
To get a glimpse of this aesthetic, I recommend reading this essay: In Praise of Shadows, by Junichiro Tanizaki.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoeCassara Avatar
62 months ago
All of the warmth and playfulness has been drained out of Apple stores. They look like LensCrafters from the year 2030.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KiwiAdventure Avatar
62 months ago
it's an Apple store whats the big deal.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
62 months ago
All of the warmth and playfulness has been drained out of Apple stores. They look like LensCrafters from the year 2030.
Yeah Jobs era Apple stores were so warm...

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wiesenlooser Avatar
62 months ago
It almost looks like a fake Apple Store of sorts. Inside looks very nice, just the outside.
It’s inspired from Japanese architecture.

I personally find it beautiful.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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