KICKS LAB. HARAJUKU STORE

Two Stores on Propeller Street, Carrying On the Legacy of Ura-Harajuku

Amid Harajuku’s constantly shifting trends, sneaker boutique “KICKS LAB.” has remained at the forefront of street sneaker culture for 18 years. Both locations stand on Propeller Street, which runs parallel to Cat Street and is sometimes called “the other Ura-Hara”—a lesser-known pocket of Ura-Harajuku, the backstreets associated with Tokyo’s influential street-fashion culture. Today, the street is home to two commanding “KICKS LAB.” locations: the flagship “HARAJUKU STORE,” which brings together sneakers of every kind, and “PINO HARAJUKU STORE,” specializing in “NIKE.”

The shop’s roots lie in sneaker trade shows—community events that originated in the United States, where fans trade, buy, and sell sneakers while forging close connections. In 2007, “KICKS LAB.” brought an event of this kind to Japan under its own name. The format was still novel in Japan at the time, and the event generated considerable buzz, paving the way for the opening of the first brick-and-mortar store in 2008.
 
Because it began as an event that brought sneaker fans together, the shop continues to value face-to-face interaction in its stores above all else, even in today’s digital age. It also occasionally hosts in-store events, including launches for specially commissioned models. The stores double as community spaces where sneaker enthusiasts from Japan and abroad gather and connect over their shared passion. In the past, “KICKS LAB.” co-hosted a music event with “adidas Originals,” featuring live in-store performances by the rap group “NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND” and artists from “DOGEAR RECORDS,” among others. The event drew a large, energetic crowd.

An Exceptional Selection, from Brand Staples to Exclusive Editions

The modern interior, which highlights the warmth of wood, was designed by “Landscape Products.” Led by Shinichiro Nakahara, the company creates original furniture and designs retail and residential spaces. This warm yet refined modern setting beautifully showcases each pair of sneakers like an individual work of art. The art wall on the store’s exterior was created by MHAK, an artist highly regarded in Japan and abroad for his distinctive abstract visual language. MHAK also designed the shop’s logo. In every sense, this is a sneaker shop rooted in street culture.

“HARAJUKU STORE” is lined with an extraordinary volume of sneakers from “adidas,” “SALOMON,” “KEEN,” and other brands. Its offerings also include exclusive models in limited-edition colorways with restricted distribution—available in Japan only at “KICKS LAB.”—as well as original, specially commissioned items with customized colors and specifications.
 
 
 
What also sets “HARAJUKU STORE” apart from other sneaker shops is the exceptional breadth of its selection within each brand, even as it carries a wide array of labels. More than simply stocking popular models, its selection fully expresses each brand’s distinctive identity and lets visitors experience them all in one place.

The Presence of Exclusive Models—and a Commitment to Physical Stores

The models that generate the greatest excitement among sneaker enthusiasts are the exclusives available in Japan only at “KICKS LAB.” They attract considerable attention and a strong response with every release. Above all, the shop values “the encounters that happen in a real, physical place,” a principle rooted in sneaker culture. Accordingly, even for rare limited-edition models, it intentionally allocates more stock to its physical stores than to its online store.
 

“We want people to experience the thrill of coming to the store, talking with the staff, and holding the sneakers in their own hands.” The shop’s passion is reflected in the breadth and depth of its shoe selection. At a time when a purchase can be completed with a smartphone alone, “KICKS LAB.” offers special pairs that make a visit to the store worthwhile.