All Reviews of SOU-SOU Isemomen

Anyone who's been familiar with Japanese brands for a long time has probably heard of “SOU・SOU.” The founder has devoted many years to promoting traditional Japanese culture and clothing, making SOU・SOU more than just a place that sells products. It's more like sharing a lifestyle aesthetic of “wearing Japanese culture in everyday life.”

This time, I happened to come across a SOU・SOU store while strolling along Kyoto's Ninenzaka. Before even entering, I could already feel the brand's strong character. As soon as I stepped inside, the many classic number patterns and cute elements really caught my eye!

Unlike typical souvenir shops, in addition to everyday items, the store also has a sweets section. The seasonal dango skewers are cute and playfully shaped, and I couldn't help but smile when I saw them. There are also handkerchiefs in all kinds of patterns to choose from. I bought a few designs I liked to take home as travel souvenirs, and friends and family also liked receiving them as gifts.

When I visited Kyoto before the pandemic, I happened to wander near the SOU・SOU Kyoto store. It wasn't open yet, but the brightly colored, distinctive patterns in the window made my friend and me stop and look for a long time. I later learned that SOU・SOU is one of Kyoto's most iconic design brands.

This time, I mainly came to restock on their “tabi socks,” or split-toe socks. I especially recommend them for women with larger feet—not because the women's socks come in especially large sizes, but because their men's socks are just as colorful as the women's, with lots of patterns to choose from. So even if you need men's sizes, you aren't limited to black, gray, and blue. They're also made in Japan, aren't as expensive as you might expect, and have a split-toe design. After buying a pair myself, I became a loyal customer.

Another unique thing about SOU・SOU is that different stores carry different items. When I visited the Tokyo location before, I searched the men's section for a long time but couldn't find any women's clothing. I thought it had sold out, but when I finally asked a staff member, I learned that the women's store was across the street, not where I was. Kyoto has a similar setup. The stores are concentrated in the same area, but clothing, tabi, and different collections are sold separately. So if you can't find what you want, the quickest thing to do is ask a staff member. It may not actually be out of stock—you may just be in the wrong store.

There was also a funny little incident this time. When I was passing through the area the next day, some international travelers suddenly stopped me to ask for directions. I was wondering what to do because my English isn't very good, but it turned out they were looking for SOU・SOU. I immediately realized, I know this one! I could open the map without a translation app and take them to an easy-to-recognize intersection so they could walk there. It was a sweet little travel moment.

If you like SOU・SOU, this is a hard place to skip when you’re in Kyoto. Tucked into the Shinkyogoku alleyways not far from Nishiki Market, there are several SOU・SOU shops clustered together, each with a different theme. You can find everything from clothing and kids’ wear to all kinds of lifestyle goods. If you’re already a SOU・SOU fan, it’s seriously easy to go overboard shopping here!