Musical artist Licaxxx can be seen in KINGS with BEAMS SPORTS, a special concept movie made to promote the collaboration between BEAMS SPORTS and the Ryukyu Golden Kings, a B. League professional basketball team.

This project aims to expand the community surrounding both collaborators. BEAMS SPORTS creates opportunities for people to become more familiar with the positive energy generated by modern sports culture while the Ryukyu Golden Kings is known for celebrating the people and culture of Okinawa.

The concept video was planned and supervised by 92, a member of the artist collective GReeeeN. The star-studded cast includes Kabuki actor Matsuya Onoe and other basketball enthusiasts.

KINGS with BEAMS SPORTS

<Comment from Planner and Supervising Director GReeeeN’s 92>
“I want to share my home of Okinawa with both Japan and the world.
The concept of this video is one of hope. I want the appeal of basketball to merge with tons of other cultures.
I’m thrilled to be able to show my own take on historical backgrounds and culture in this new way!”

<Comment from Licaxxx>
“There are so many musical artists who love basketball! But when compared to overseas fans, they’re much quieter and less open about it. I’m sure they blend in pretty well courtside. (Laugh)
I hope everyone enjoys wearing these fashionable original items while cheering as hard as you can!”

BEAMS COUTURE, a BEAMS label focused on upcycling and handmade items, has teamed up with sweets brand RURU MARY’S for a special apparel collaboration collection.

Dress

Knit Sweater

Bag (Large)

Bag (Small)

Pouch

Chocolate Sable

The iconic floral illustrations used in RURU MARY’S packaging appear throughout the collection. The tote bag and pouch are made of insulating material, perfect for carrying chocolates! Each item also comes with a tag featuring a special rose sticker.

BEAMS Japan has collaborated with 13 businesses to develop nearly 100 unique products to highlight the wonders of Aomori Prefecture. Under the title ‘BEAMS EYE on AOMORI,’ these products are now available to purchase from the BEAMS Official Online Store. They will be available at the BEAMS Japan shop in Shinjuku starting January 19, 2022. 

BEAMS EYE on AOMORI Products at a Glance

BEAMS Japan travelled to Aomori to search for inspiration and to learn more about the prefecture famous for its blue skies and apple orchards. The areas rich nature and traditions come to life in this new line of merchandise, so why not enjoy some of these products for yourself?

BEAMS Japan will hold an event highlighting the wonders of Okayama Prefecture in both Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Taipei, Taiwan! The event will feature specialty products from 11 businesses in Okayama, and is now open in Shinjuku, with the Taipei event beginning in February 2022. Certain items are also available at the official BEAMS online shop.

Selected Products

Okayama prefecture is known for its mild climate and nature. BEAMS Japan has developed 81 unique products, with some highlighting the denim creation in the region and others showcasing local crafts.

As Okayama is closely associated with Momotaro, a figure out of Japanese folklore, peaches are very prominent in the region and can be seen in a number of these special products. 

Selected products from the collection will be available at the Taipei location from February 24 until March 13, 2022. Although travel has been made incredibly difficult during the pandemic, this pop-up shop was made possible by Okayama prefecture and BEAMS Japan. 

Ryusenji no Yu is a chain of bath facilities throughout Japan, offering saunas, bedrock baths, and artificial hot springs. Saunas are surprisingly popular throughout the country, and recently, a beverage called Oropo has been called the perfect drink to enjoy after sitting in the heat. A mixture of the vitamin drink Oronamin C and sports drink Pocari Sweat, it’s a perfect blend to refuel after all that sweating. 

The Nagoya Moriyama location will begin selling Oropo-branded goods by BEAMS starting September 16!

Merchandise sold in the odd collaboration will include mugs featuring markings to help mix the perfect amount of Oronamin C and Pocari Sweat to make the ultimate Oropo. T-shirts with pop-up store character Oropo-kun are already the talk of social media. Those who purchase a certain amount of goods will be given a bonus sticker. 

As expected, Oropo will be served during the campaign, along with Oropo Shaved Ice, created by the queen of shaved ice Asako Harada!

BEAMS is set to have its own booth at Virtual Market 6 (Vket6) which will be hosted by HIKKY from August 14-28. At the BEAMS booth, they will be showcasing must-visit sento bathhouses. Vket is one of the biggest virtual events in the world, and uses Web to VR technology so you don’t need a VR headset, meaning people can access it simply by connecting via mobile, PC, or other smart device. This will be BEAMS’ second attendance at the event, and shop staff will appear inside as avatars.

Inside BEAMS ‘Recommended Sento 2021’ Booth at Vket 6

Inside BEAMS ‘Recommended Sento 2021’ Booth at Vket 6

Vket-chan wearing the free towel you get at the BEAMS booth

BEAMS is taking their ongoing ‘Recommended Sento 2021’ project, which is running at Kotobukiyu in Ueno, Tokyo, until September, to the virtual realm in a collaboration with COW BRAND SOAP. As well as collaboration merch, players can use Vket-chan’s 3D avatar and combine it with the free towel to bathe in the bath as her.

The virtual space is decorated with sento pictures illustrated by manga artist and calligrapher Mari Yamazaki. Users can also launch fireworks, and there are various Japanese summer-themed attractions.

The official Vket merchandise will be available on the Merch by Amazon service and can be shipped to Japan, the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Next spring will Oakland Group open the new sento bathhouse Ryusenji no Yu Spa Metsä Okata. The bathhouse is has teamed up with Japanese fashion brand BEAMS and released a collection of original items at Ryusenji no Yu’s online store on June 28.

Original Items

Mesh Tote Bags: ¥2,970 Each (Tax Included)

Mesh Satchels: ¥2,420 Each (Tax Included) / Mesh Pouches: ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Salt Pillow: ¥2,970 (Tax Included) / Salt Eye Mask ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Shower Sandals: ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included)

Towels: ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Socks: ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Acrylic Keyrings: ¥1,540 Each (Tax Included)

Dakimakura Hugging Pillow: ¥3,850 (Tax Included)

T-Shirts: ¥2,970 Each (Tax Included)

Pins: ¥300 Each (Tax Included)

Water Bottles: ¥1,650 Each (Tax Included)

The merchandise line-up was overseen by Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe, Executive Director at BEAMS. It includes durable mesh bags, shower sandals, and other must-have items when enjoying a day at the spa. There’s also a t-shirt collection illustrated by Kao Okata, a hugging pillow, salt eye mask and pillow which are said to cool you down after a hot bath, face towels, socks made in collaboration with the old-time brand GLEN CLYDE, and more.

BEAMS has held many projects and been active in creating know-how solutions for other brands and businesses at their select shops. In 2019, they created a Business Production Team which enabled them to expand their business reach by developing products, content, promotional material, and so on. Their work doesn’t stop at the products featured in this article – they also create work uniforms, interior design, create signs for facilities, produce e-commerce sites, and much more.

BEAMS is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. At such an important milestone, it’s important to take a look back at where the brand has come from, and so BEAMS is taking part in the Fashion in Japan 1945-2020 exhibition that opened at The National Art Center, Tokyo, last Wednesday. Followers of the Japanese fashion are able to see their early products when they first opened in the late 1970’s to their Shibuya Casual style, known as Shibu-Kaji, from the late 80’s. It’s an historical, nostalgic throwback across their archive. Exclusive merchandise is also being sold featuring the ‘American Life Shop BEAMS’ logo which they branded upon establishing the brand.

A look at just some of the exhibits on display

BEAMS shopping bag from 1977

Shibu-Kaji outfit from late 1980’s

Exhibition-exclusive souvenir merch inspired by vintage BEAMS

This exhibition follows the unique trajectory of Japanese clothing, especially in post-World War Ⅱ Japan, as seen from both sides: that of designers who transmit culture by creating clothes and ideas, and that of users who receive it by wearing the clothes and at times create era-defining grassroots fashion movements. It offers a comprehensive overview that references the predominant media of each era, such as newspapers, magazines, and advertisements.

In the mid to late 1970’s, BEAMS was at the forefront of spreading casual wear to people, stocking some of the country’s most notable brands and designers. BEAMS opened its first store in Harajuku in 1976 where it sold shirts, shoes, and other items. In 1977 they introduced their own shopping bag, and the following year opened up their first BEAMS F selling traditional men’s style clothing. It was around this time that beams released their POPEYE magazine too. All of this and more is explore at the exhibition along with commentary.

A talk event titled “Lifestyle Tips: POPEYE & BEAMS” will also take place on July 3 at the museum.

BEAMS COUTURE, an upcycle and handmade fashion label by BEAMS, is set to collaborate with Kate Spade New York to release a limited-edition capsule collection on May 27, 2021

Kate Spade New York × BEAMS COUTURE

The Line-Up

cherry tote | ¥80,300

bella plaid tote | ¥80,300

american plaid tote | ¥99,000

cherry small pouch wristlet | ¥49,500 – american plaid small pouch wristlet | ¥66,000 – bella plaid small pouch wristlet | ¥49,500

furoshiki clutch | ¥16,500

patchwork dress | ¥110,000

The collection was conceived by BEAMS COUTURE designer Romi Mizukami who wanted to decrease the amount of fabric waste by creating something sustainable and long-lasting like quilts. It includes a tote bag, bath bag, pouch, and dress, each inspired by American quilts. The items feature assorted deadstock print and incorporate elements of Japanese tradition.

The collection is a display of Japanese craftsmanship, combining embroidery, wasou Japanese clothing, and other techniques to create a wholly unique capsule collection. Those interested can purchase the line-up from select BEAMS JAPAN branches, Kate Spade New York stores, and online, in Japan. The collection is also available outside Japan at Kate Spade New York branches in the US and the brand’s US online store.

Don’t miss out on this sustainable Japanese ensemble by Kate Spade New York and BEAMS COUTURE.

The Sento no Susume 2021 event being held by BEAMS JAPAN and Cow Brand Soap has now headed to BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku. As part of the event, Mizuno has held designed a ‘running course’ is collaboration with sento bath house owners who have listed their recommended spots for running.

From Left: Hiroshi Fukui (Managing Director at Cow Brand Soap), Aya Terakawa (Sports Caster), Mari Yamazaki (Manga Author), Ryozo Naganuma (Kotobukiyu’s 3rd Generation Owner), Hikaru Ikeuchi (Chairman of Board of Directors)

BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku Floor 1F – Sento no Susume 2021 Pop-Up

BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku Floor 1F – Sento no Susume 2021 Pop-Up

BEAMS JAPAN Sento no Susume 2021 Virtual Venue

For many years, sento public bath houses have been big part of Japanese culture and are located up and down the country. They are places people go to unwind, relax, and destress. However, with times changing, they are because less part of people’s lives, and the facilities themselves are seeing significant wear and tear as well as not having successors to take over the businesses. Sento no Susume aims to revitalise sento and raise their cultural value once again by showing how they can be enjoyed. The first event was held in January and February in 2019.

The event arrived at BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku on April 26 and  invites manga artist Mari Yamazaki on board who has given the store a makeover with her iconic artwork themed on exercise and bathing. This event combines sento bath houses with sports, and so as well as discovering bath houses to visit, you can learn find out about great running courses at the Sento Run no Susume corner. There’s also a virtual venue accessible on the official website that creates the store in 4K 3D so everyone around the world can get involved regardless of their location.

BEAMS Japan will begin selling cotton shopping bags starting on May 1, scrapping the vinyl shopping bags it has been using until now in an effort to become a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly brand. Being made from natural cotton means no throwing away of plastic, plus it can be reused for a long time.

The BEAMS vinyl shopping bag has been in circulation since 1986

The new cotton bag being introduced on May 1, 2021

BEAMS-original paper water packs

The iconic BEAMS vinyl shopping bag was first introduced in 1986 and was adored for its convenient draw cord function, durability, and reusability. It became synonymous with BEAMS for etching its mark into the history of Shibu Kaji, or Shibuya’s casual culture. These bags were free to customers and were made down to the finest details just like clothing attire, from the inking to the braiding. Since their release, the bags have never undergone design or shape changes. The only thing that has been changed over the years is the material used for the eyelet where the cord is strung through in order to make it easier to separate. Additionally, part of the raw materials were changed to plant-based in order to reduce the reliance on oil resources.

BEAMS, which has been in operation for 45 years now, is now getting involved with the sustainable recovery efforts that have come even more to the forefront of the international stage during the pandemic. Their vinyl bags, of which 390,000 are made every year, will be abolished, and replaced with GOTS-certified organic cotton bags and sold for ¥550 (tax included) to customers who purchase something at BEAMS.

BEAMS has been making efforts to reduce since 1999, when it first introduced its scheme to gives shoppers the option to donate ¥100 to the OISCA Children’s Forest Program which “educates school children and communities about the environment through tree planting and other related environmental activities.” In total, it has raised over 30 million yen. With the introducing of the new cotton bags, this scheme will continue, with 10% of all proceeds made from sales of the bags to be donated to the program.

Additionally, BEAMS introduced FSC-certified paper bags to all BEAMS OUTLET and BEAMS GOLD stores in November 2020 and January 2021 respectively. It also released paper water packs in September 2020 which has saved on 60,000 PET bottles every year.

BEAMS Japan and Cow Brand Soap have teamed up to an event titled Sento no Susume 2021 which began on April 23. As part of the event, the two brands have come together at the popular Tokyo-based bath house Kotobukiyu where illustrations for the collaboration drawn by manga artist Mari Yamazaki (Thermae Romae, Olympia Kyklos) has been put up on the outside, inside, and along the walls.

See the illustrations being plastered in the video below.

At the bath house entrance, along the walls, and everywhere else

Fashion shoots are being held at the bath house

Limited-edition merchandise for Sento no Susume 2021

For many years, sento public bath houses have been big part of Japanese culture and are located up and down the country. They are places people go to unwind, relax, and destress. However, with times changing, they are because less part of people’s lives, and the facilities themselves are seeing significant wear and tear as well as not having successors to take over the businesses. Sento no Susume aims to revitalise sento and raise their cultural value once again by showing how they can be enjoyed. The first event was held in January and February in 2019.

This year will be the second hosting of the event and invites manga artist Mari Yamazaki on board who has given Kotobukiyu a makeover with her iconic artwork themed on exercise and bathing. Six sports are featured in her drawings for the bath house including basketball, climbing, javelin, surfing, judo, and volleyball.

Have you experienced a Japanese sento before?