Kimitake Unveils a Sanctuary of Japanese Hospitality on Sunset Boulevard
In a city celebrated for its dazzling glamour and red-carpet moments, a new kind of luxury has quietly arrived. Nestled on the iconic Sunset Boulevard, the first US boutique from Japanese jewelry brand Kimitake has opened its doors, offering Los Angeles an experience that transcends mere retail. This is not just a store; it is a meticulously crafted sanctuary dedicated to the Japanese art of hospitality, a physical embodiment of the brand’s profound philosophy of human connection, and a gallery for its exquisite, soul-stirring jewelry.
Already a whispered favorite among Hollywood’s elite, with luminaries like Taylor Swift, Brandi Carlile, Debra Messing, and Kerry Washington gracing public appearances in their designs, Kimitake is now ready to build a deeper, more personal relationship with its American audience. The boutique, which soft-opened its doors this month in anticipation of a grand opening celebration in August, is the culmination of a deliberate and thoughtful journey. It is a testament to a brand that values stillness over spectacle and meaningful connection over mass appeal.
The Visionaries Weaving Culture and Commerce
Kimitake is the shared vision of two founders, each bringing a unique and essential element to the brand’s identity. The company, founded in 2023, is a harmonious blend of artistic integrity and entrepreneurial spirit, a partnership between designer Kimio Fukutani and entrepreneur Takeshi Yokota.
Kimio Fukutani: The Soul of the Design
With over two decades of experience shaping the world of high-end accessories, Kimio Fukutani is the creative heart of Kimitake. His design philosophy is not simply about creating beautiful objects; it is about imbuing each piece with a story and a spirit. Fukutani approaches jewelry as a medium for expressing elegance, tradition, and the subtle beauty found in quiet moments. His deep understanding of Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship informs every curve of gold and every facet of a diamond, ensuring that each creation is more than an adornment—it is a vessel of culture and emotion.
Takeshi Yokota: The Bridge Between Tokyo and Los Angeles
Takeshi Yokota provides the strategic vision that has guided Kimitake from a Japanese concept to a burgeoning international presence. After relocating from Tokyo to Los Angeles in 2021, Yokota immersed himself in the local culture, driven by a mission to understand the city’s pulse. “The first 18 months of our journey was dedicated to market research and building authentic relationships within the Los Angeles fashion community,” Yokota explains. “As we’ve witnessed a growing audience with our values and vision, we felt it was the right time to establish a permanent boutique.”
This move was not a hasty expansion but a calculated decision rooted in a burgeoning connection. Yokota recognized that the brand’s message of harmony and heartfelt craftsmanship resonated in a market often saturated with transient trends. “We believe that the warmth of our craftsmanship and the spirit behind each piece can be most deeply conveyed through a physical space,” he adds, highlighting the conviction that true luxury is an experience to be felt, not just seen.
A Sanctuary on Sunset: The Los Angeles Boutique Experience
To step into the Kimitake boutique is to leave the relentless energy of Sunset Boulevard behind and enter a world of serene contemplation. The space was designed by Fukutani himself, with the same spirit of omotenashi—the uniquely Japanese concept of wholehearted and anticipatory hospitality—that defines the brand.
The Art of Wabi-Sabi and Omotenashi
The interior design is a masterclass in Japanese aesthetics. It embraces the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds profound beauty in imperfection, transience, and the integrity of natural materials. Rather than overwhelming the senses with opulence, the boutique soothes them. Natural textures, from the wood grain on the displays to the feel of handcrafted paper, invite touch. The lighting is subtle and layered, creating pockets of warmth and intimacy that draw visitors in, encouraging them to pause, reflect, and engage fully with the jewelry.
This atmosphere of calm is central to the omotenashi experience. Guests are welcomed not as customers, but as cherished visitors. Thoughtful touches, like being offered a warm bowl of matcha green tea as they browse, transform the act of trying on jewelry into a moment of peaceful indulgence. The intention is to create a haven where clients new and old feel comfortable dropping in, not just to shop, but to reconnect with the brand’s tranquil spirit and see what new stories are being told through its collections.
Whispers of Nature: Shigaraki Ware and Seasonal Blooms
Nature’s gentle presence is woven throughout the space. Seasonal flowers, carefully selected for their quiet beauty, stand in single-flower vases. These are not just any vases; they are exquisite examples of Shigaraki ware, a traditional form of rustic stoneware ceramic originating from the Mie prefecture. Dating back to the 13th century, Shigaraki is revered as one of the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, celebrated for its earthy textures and organic forms. This specific choice is a nod to the brand’s deep roots, as Mie is also the prefecture where the intricate samurai braided cord used in certain Kimitake jewelry pieces is produced, linking the store’s decor directly to the brand’s craft.
The Heart of Kimitake: Craftsmanship Forged in Tradition
Every piece of Kimitake jewelry begins its life far from the sunny boulevards of Los Angeles, in a region of Japan steeped in centuries of artisanal history.
Kofu, The City of Gems
The jewelry is handmade in Kofu, a city nestled in the Yamanashi Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu. This is no coincidence. Kofu is the undisputed jewelry capital of Japan, a hub of gemstone cutting and jewelry processing where skills have been passed down through generations. The artisans who craft Kimitake pieces are masters of their trade, their hands moving with an inherited knowledge and a deep respect for the precious materials they work with. This connection to Kofu infuses every piece with an authenticity and a legacy of excellence that cannot be replicated.
The Language of Materials and the ‘Wa no Kokoro’ Philosophy
Kimitake’s chosen materials speak a language of purity and devotion. The brand works exclusively with lustrous 18k gold and the highest quality natural diamonds. There is a particular focus on “Heart and Cupid” cuts—a type of ideal cut for round brilliant diamonds that, when viewed through a special scope, reveals a perfect pattern of hearts from the bottom and arrows from the top. This choice is deeply symbolic, directly reflecting the brand’s core mission: to forge and celebrate human connection.
This mission is based on a philosophy known as wa no kokoro, or “the spirit of harmony.” It is a foundational concept in Japanese culture that emphasizes the importance of peaceful unity and relationships. Kimitake aims to manifest this spirit through the wearing and gifting of its jewelry. Many pieces subtly feature an “HC” logo, a mark that stands for Human Connection, serving as a constant reminder of the bonds that enrich our lives.
The Unboxing Ritual: A Celebration of Japanese Arts
Kimitake’s commitment to a complete cultural experience extends to its very packaging, which Fukutani designed to be a celebration in itself. The act of unboxing a piece of Kimitake jewelry is a multi-layered journey through Japanese craft.
The outer vessel is a beautiful box made from paulownia wood sourced from Hiroshima. This lightweight, fine-grained wood has been traditionally used for centuries to store precious items like kimonos and antiques due to its natural ability to resist humidity and decay. The jewelry inside is wrapped in delicate washi paper from Kochi, a famously durable and beautiful paper-making tradition recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Finally, the presentation is adorned with elements featuring yuzen dyeing from Kyoto, an intricate and painterly resist-dyeing technique renowned for its use on the most luxurious kimonos. Each layer of the unboxing is a discovery, a tactile encounter with the diverse and refined arts of Japan.
Forging a New Definition of Luxury
For Kimitake, the Los Angeles boutique is just the beginning of its American story. The brand is already extending its reach with pop-up shops in the exclusive enclaves of Aspen and the Hamptons, and it has its sights set on New York City for its next permanent retail location.
“A Kimitake boutique is not merely a place to select jewelry but a space to encounter the brand and experience a new expression of jewelry,” Fukutani says. “We believe that a new form of luxury lies not in opulence but in stillness, spaciousness, and the quiet refinement of wabi-sabi—values deeply rooted in Japanese culture.”
This philosophy is what sets Kimitake apart. In a world that often shouts, Kimitake whispers. It offers a luxury defined not by price tags or ostentation, but by the integrity of its craft, the depth of its philosophy, and the sincerity of its invitation. As Fukutani concludes, “Just as each piece is born from human connection, the in-store experience marks the beginning of a relationship.” And on Sunset Boulevard, a beautiful new relationship has just begun.
