Kyoto-based textile brand SOU・SOU (Representative Director: Takeshi Wakabayashi) is relocating and reopening SOU・SOU Tabi on Thursday, July 16, 2026, marking the brand's 23rd anniversary.
Jika-tabi are regarded as one of the finest expressions of traditional Japanese footwear, combining tradition, function, and design. As the world's only Japan-made jika-tabi brand, SOU・SOU Tabi carries original-textile jika-tabi along with everyday tabi socks that can be worn like regular socks. The new store was also designed by architect Hisanobu Tsujimura, one of SOU・SOU's founding members, with an eye-catching exterior inspired by the jika-tabi motif and a space where visitors can experience the brand's world firsthand. Through the new store, SOU・SOU aims to bring the appeal of jika-tabi, a traditional Japanese style of footwear, to even more people.
The playful roof is made of tabi-motif parts layered like roof tiles, creating a fun, approachable space that makes visitors want to look up.
Some of the numeral objects used at the previous store have been carried over to the new store, where they remain on display. (The photo shows the display at the previous store.)
SOU・SOU Tabi: the world's only Japan-made jika-tabi brand
The shop carries original-textile jika-tabi along with tabi socks for everyday wear.
Bonded-Sole Jika-Tabi
¥12,870 (tax included)
Rear-Zip Mid-Length Leather Tabi
¥44,900 (tax included)
Tabi Socks
¥880 (tax included)
Takasago Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Takasago Sangyo Co., Ltd. is based in Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture, a city with more than 100 years of history as the birthplace of Japan's rubber industry. One of the few remaining jika-tabi manufacturers in Japan, it has supported SOU・SOU's jika-tabi production since the brand's founding, with skilled artisans carefully crafting each pair of SOU・SOU jika-tabi by hand.
Kuwa Meriyasu Co., Ltd.
Kuwa Meriyasu Co., Ltd., founded in 1953, is based in Yamato-Takada City, Nara Prefecture. About 20 years ago, a request from SOU・SOU led to the creation of its domestic tabi division, which continues to manufacture tabi socks today. The skilled craftsmanship of its artisans supports around 180,000 pairs of tabi socks shipped each year.
SOU・SOU Tabi
578-1 Nakanocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 604-8042
(Across from SOU・SOU Kei-i)
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
