Leica Kyoto Store — Local services in Kyoto

If you're a Leica fan, please take time to check this store out.

They carry rare cameras such as the Leica M edition 60.

The layout of the store perfectly matches the outdoor Kyoto scene. Inconspicuous entrance with a wooden sliding door. Very friendly staff members.

Ms. Tsukabe, who was working at the time didn't make me feel comfortable. She didn't seem very friendly. I said hello to her first and she kept her distance, eyeing me. She seemed friendly to other Japanese customers who came by but really not friendly to us.

The men were very polite. Mr. Nigata helped us with the purchase of a Yosemite mountain strap for our M6. He took great care in putting a screen protector on our M10 for us, thank you very much for your time and professionalism.

They have a beautiful gallery on the second floor with large wooden tables to sit and a room in the back that is styled in a Japanese fashion.

Check out the tatami room on the 1st floor, it looks like a studio set up.

Uniquely designed store with high end quality camera gear.

They offer workshops too! I wish I could be here for their workshop in September with Matt Stuart.

They also have an elevator, wheelchair...

As someone who’s admired Leica craftsmanship for years, visiting the Leica store in Kyoto felt almost like a pilgrimage and it absolutely lived up to the dream. The space itself is serene and thoughtfully designed, blending modern precision with the quiet elegance that defines Kyoto. Every display feels intentional, from the carefully lit showcases of classic film bodies to the clean presentation of current digital models.

The staff were approachable and deeply knowledgeable, eager to talk about both technical details and the philosophy behind Leica’s design heritage. There’s an inviting calm here, a stark contrast to the typical bustle of camera shops elsewhere in Japan. I particularly appreciated the used selection small but carefully curated with fair prices considering the condition and provenance of each piece.

Even if you’re not in the market to buy, Leica Kyoto is worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. It’s more gallery than store a space that celebrates photography as both craft and art. For any Leica enthusiast traveling through Japan, it’s an essential stop that perfectly captures the spirit of the brand: timeless, deliberate, and...

A beautiful store in a beautiful location, completely ruined by unfriendly staff who appeared and sounded annoyed throughout the sale.

Not willing to allow you to check items before purchasing, they nearly sold me a display model until I specifically asked, ‘Can I have a new, unopened one?’ It’s absurd that I even had to ask, and they appeared visibly irritated by this.

I don’t know if they behaved so poorly because I was not purchasing a camera (I had my M11 around my neck) and was only interested in accessories (still very expensive), but it’s truly unacceptable to experience such low customer service from a brand of such importance.

Luckily, having visited various Leica stores, I can confirm that this is not their usual standard.

I will definitely not be making any future purchases at the Kyoto branch...