Located on the second floor of Kyoto’s Leica Store on Hanamikoji street, this gallery is housed in a renovated 100-year-old teahouse that would not be recognisable as a camera shop were it not for the Leica logo on the noren entrance curtain.
Inside, you are greeted by bright red shelves lined with Leica cameras that are displayed like pieces of art. The warm wood of the historic townhouse harmonises with the metallic texture of the cameras. The upstairs gallery also makes use of old wood in its interior, inviting visitors to pore over the photographs on display in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
The gallery has hosted exhibitions highlighting famous photographers such as Saul Leiter, Ihei Kimura and Shinya Fujiwara. Look out for the signature red Leica dot to find the entrance.