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Shopping at SOU SOU Kyoto in Tokyo

STORY

 

SOU SOU Kyoto

 

 
 
For those looking for unique Japanese fashion that’s suitable for daily wear, try SOU SOU Kyoto.
 
The goal of SOU SOU Kyoto as a brand is to “[create] a new interpretation of Japanese culture based on Japanese tradition.” What this means in practice is rather than reproducing patterns from old kimonos on shirts and bags, the artists of SOU SOU Kyoto reexamine what is attractive about traditional Japanese designs and then use that insight to create something new.
 
Trying out clothes
Trying out some new looks at SOU SOU Kyoto in Aoyama.

This is awesome for several reasons. The first is that this makes Japanese styles more user-friendly. While Japanese textile designs and traditional clothing styles are gorgeous, they don’t often mesh well with a modern lifestyle. The kimono, Japan’s national costume, isn’t an appropriate choice most days for Japanese as they bicycle around town doing their errands. Furthermore, kimono are worn so seldom now that most Japanese need to take special classes in order to learn how to wear them—or, they use a kimono rental/dressing service on the few special occasions where they might be expected to wear one. Conversely, SOU SOU Kyoto’s clothes, and consequently the elements of Japanese style they contain, are meant to be worn and enjoyed daily.
 
201511131728_2.pngHelp from staff
The friendly (and amazingly dressed) staff will help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
 
Another reason is that the colors and designs are fantastic. The small store is filled with vibrant colors in the form of traditional Japanese designs that have been turned into bold graphic prints. There are also solid-colored pieces as well to add balance to an outfit. If you’re feeling a little intimidated by so much color or don’t usually wear such bold patterns, the staff is more than happy to help you put a well-coordinated outfit together. Of course, the staff are dressed head to toe in SOU SOU Kyoto to give you an idea of the possibilities.
 
201511131728_4.png201511131728_5.pngJikatabi
Jika-tabi: rubber-soled shoes that look like split-toed tabi socks.

And then there’s SOU SOU Kyoto’s amazing footwear, the star of which is probably the split-toed sneakers called jika-tabi. They’re fun, funky, and—perhaps most importantly—practical, an absolute must for today’s urban samurai.
 
Tea ceremony The staff of SOU SOU Kyoto Aoyama is also trained in the art of tea ceremony.

If you need a break from shopping, SOU SOU Kyoto in Aoyama also has a small cafe inside. In addition to preparing coffee, the staff can also perform a mini tea ceremony for you, gracefully mixing up a frothy cup of matcha with practiced grace. This is a great way to get a taste of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony for a fraction of the price and without having to worry about your legs falling asleep from sitting in the seiza position too long.
 
Matcha at SOU SOU
Relax as your tea is prepared before you inside of SOU SOU Kyoto Aoyama’s small cafe.

If you also plan on visiting Kyoto, pay a visit to the SOU SOU Kyoto shopping complex located a short walk away from the intersection of Shijo and Kawaramachi Streets.
 
Outside of SOU SOU Kyoto
The outside of SOU SOU Kyoto Aoyama.

Information


SOU SOU Kyoto Aoyama Mise

Address:
A La Croce Bldg. 1F, 5-4-24 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Hours:
Store
11:00am – 8:00pm
Cafe
1:00pm – 7:00pm

There are several SOU SOU Kyoto stores in Kyoto located either in the same building or otherwise in close proximity to each other.

SOU SOU Kyoto's other locations

Address:
583 Nakanocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Hours:
All stores are open from 11:00am – 8:00pm
The cafe SOU SOU zaifu is open 12:00pm – 8:00pm (LO 7:00pm)
 

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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 11 24,2015 Author:Rachael Ragalye

 

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