Studio Nicholson Expands Its Japanese Footprint to Kyoto
The London brand transforms a former machiya workshop into a serene retail space.
Summary
- Studio Nicholson opened its first Kansai store in a renovated 77-square-meter Kyoto townhouse
- The design preserves traditional timber and beams, adding a tsuboniwa and Kyoto lantern
- A limited-edition, botanically dyed capsule with Échapper marks the March 19 launch
Studio Nicholson has opened its first retail space in Kyoto, Japan, marking a significant milestone for the London-based brand. Located in the central Tanoji area near the Teramachi Kyogoku shopping street, the new 77-square-meter store occupies a renovated Kyomachiya townhouse that once served as a precious metal workshop.
The two-storey interior artfully balances Studio Nicholson’s precise, industrial restraint with traditional Kansai architectural language. Original structural elements, such as timber frames and exposed beams, have been preserved and juxtaposed against haptic materials like smooth stainless steel and textural concrete.
To create a contemplative atmosphere, the space incorporates authentic local details, including Tajimi tiles, wax-resist dyed Noren curtains and a vintage kiri chest made of paulownia wood. A focal point of the entrance is a tsuboniwa (inner garden) and a reclaimed doma stone, while a massive traditional Kyoto lantern hangs from the second floor to illuminate an intimate shoe lounge.
To commemorate the launch of its first Kansai-region location, Studio Nicholson collaborated with Japanese lifestyle brand Échapper on an exclusive, limited-edition capsule collection. The four-piece range – consisting of a linen gown, silk pyjama set and leather room shoes – is rendered in a deep navy achieved through botanical dyeing derived from Japanese logwood. This “fabric first” approach highlights the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, as the
Studio Nicholson Kyoto
268 Enpukuji-maecho,
Teramachi-dori Takoyakushi Sagaru,
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 604-8042, Japan
