Beams
Japan
Beams is a Japanese select shop and fashion company founded in Harajuku, Tokyo, in 1976. It sells third party and own label clothing and goods, and in 2026 it is marking its 50th anniversary.
| Founded | 1976, Harajuku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Founder | Etsuzo Shitara |
| Headquarters | Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo |
| Stores (Feb 2022) | 167 in Japan, 10 overseas |
| Own labels | Beams, Beams Plus, Ray Beams |
| Website | beams.co.jp |
What is Beams?
Beams is a Japanese select shop that sells third party brands alongside its own apparel and goods, in a casual style based on American West Coast fashion according to Japanese Wikipedia. Beams is also the name of its in-house brand, which includes several labels.
History
The first store opened in Harajuku, Tokyo, in 1976. Japanese Wikipedia names the founder as Etsuzo Shitara, who ran the cardboard manufacturer Shinko Co. The first store was managed by Hitoshi Shigematsu, who later co-founded United Arrows. The company headquarters is in Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo. Beams has a dedicated 50th anniversary website.
Business model and distribution
The company's own site describes a multi label lifestyle business operating retail labels such as Beams, Beams Plus and Ray Beams, together with wholesale and B2B work. This includes licensing through Beams Design and uniform lines such as Beams School and Beams Medical. As of February 2022 the source lists 167 stores in Japan and 10 overseas. The anniversary site lists overseas stores in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore.
Why it matters
Beams is a reference for the Japanese select shop model, which mixes curation, own labels and collaborations. The shareholder structure was not stated in the sources, so no group owner is given.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Beams from?
Beams is from Japan. Its first store opened in Harajuku, Tokyo, in 1976.
What is Beams?
Beams is a Japanese select shop and fashion company that sells other brands and its own labels, and also runs licensing and uniform projects.