Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten renovates its 90-year-old Kyoto machiya main store, opening a new space where customers can view its valuable tie-dye archives and book collection
Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten Co., Ltd. Press Release: August 28, 2025 Renovates 90-year-old Kyomachiya Main Store, Opening New Space for Viewing Valuable Tie-Dye Archives and Books Grand opening of 1st and 2nd floors on Wednesday, August 27th at 10:00 AM Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten Co., Ltd. spent approximately six months renovating its main store, a Kyoto machiya townhouse that was completed in 1935 and loved for 90 years. We reopened on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-dd9d1b1b7cb2ad5e9bf5cf69f3e312b4-2835×1890.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-424f85aa67c28eef79689c4eb00edd59-2835×1890.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-8b27d798469f91ed4328126868f8cb14-2835×1890.jpg At the back of the first floor is a staircase leading to the second floor.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-7ce067cd1561a33056fa91b1d7d49925-2835×1890.jpg The first-floor store room was originally used as a store. The area that was previously used as a workshop has been expanded into retail space. Inside the store, furniture beloved by the founder, Bunzaburo, has been remade and reused as store fixtures. Products from Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten, which offers items primarily made from silk, and BUNZABURO, a brand born from Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten, are now available on the first floor, allowing you to see an even more impressive lineup in the expanded store.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-c5b9b2976757d083475d4f30833c1385-2126×1417.jpg The second floor, shop area, is open to the public for the first time.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-c2e30155f75c1afa5a4545b088281141-2126×1417.jpg The second floor has been opened to the public following renovations. This was once a space where wrung-out cloth was hung on poles to dry and where threads were unraveled. The second floor, Shop Room, is home to the brand “KATAYAMA,” which launched in spring 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-8eda172d90551f84ca99c5d297a6e9a7-2126×1417.jpg Western-style room on the 2nd floor where archive materials are exhibited
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-e0a148ab5aa87932a6945e309f3c8fab-2126×1417.jpg Western-style room adjacent to the shops on the 2nd floor. The building exudes the characteristics of a Japanese-Western fusion townhouse from the early Showa period. It features a coffered ceiling, two-sided lighting using molded glass, and kumiko joinery. This exhibit features a portion of Katayama’s vast library, including design proposal documents and notes written by the founder, Bunzaburo, and the second, Fumio, as well as documents on kimonos produced at the department stores where they once sold them. Visitors can actually touch and browse the exhibits. In addition, to coincide with the renewal, production has begun on an art book about shibori. The first book, “Uta Shibori,” is on display.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-2e0b34587c9d2443a5e32d5097b88c6d-2126×1417.jpg 2F Japanese-style room/guest room
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/151989/8/151989-8-664da641de11b794414edc3574b4e965-2126×1417.jpg The Japanese-style room at the back of the second floor serves as the backyard and guest room. This museum houses tie-dyeing materials passed down from the founder to future generations. Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten has always emphasized the three-dimensional texture that is characteristic of Kyoto tie-dyeing, deepening the niche value of tie-dyeing and maximizing its expressive power. This renovation has resulted in a store where customers can experience the fusion of Kyoto’s traditional techniques and modern sensibilities, in line with the brand’s concept.
Building: Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten Kyoto Main Store Concept, basic design, and total direction: pranks inc. Detailed design/Design: GRIP&Co. LLC Construction: Founded in Genji 1 Kobayashi
Construction Co., Ltd. Photo: Rui Okazaki Furniture repair and processing: FER TRAVIL Kimono basket repair and lacquer processing: Hashimoto Urushigei Hanger rack lacquer processing: Co., Ltd. Tsutsumi Asakichi Lacquer Shop 1F ROOM：BUNZABURO Spatial styling: pranks inc. 2F ROOM: KATAYAMA Showroom & Salon Space Styling: Toru Muto Fixture Design: Siin Siin 2F ROOM: Katayama Library Space Styling: Toru Muto Fixtures and design: Siin Siin BUNZABURO Archive Book vol.1 Concept, book design, and production: Yasutomo Ota (OTA BOOK ARTS) Creative Director: Toru Muto Editor: Sawako Fukai (SW_) Graphic Design: Tetstuya Hoshino
About BUNZABURO/Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten Founded in 1915, Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten is a long-established dyeing shop in Kyoto that has carried on the tradition of “Kyoto Shibori” for generations. They offer a wide range of products, including scarves and clothing, by modernizing hand-made tie-dyeing techniques. In recent years, they have updated the concept of Kyoto Shibori and are spreading its appeal to a wider audience, including the launch of the new brand “KATAYAMA.” Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten Kyoto Main Store Store Information Grand opening of 1F & 2F on Wednesday, August 27th Address: 221
Hashibenkeicho, Takoyakushi-dori Karasuma-nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8151 TEL: 075-221-2666 (direct) FAX: 075-221-3939 Business Hours: 10:00 – 18:30 Closed: Closed during the New Year holidays and summer Website: https://www.bunzaburo.com Instagram: @bunzaburo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bunzaburo Online shop: https://shop.bunzaburo.com Press Inquiries Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten Co., Ltd., Representative: Katayama Kazuya TEL: 075-221-2666 Email: shibori@bunzaburo.com *Images of the store’s exterior and interior, product photos, logos, maps, and other materials can be provided separately. Interviews and photography are also available at any time.