Japan gets Google's first flagship store outside the US, landing in Tokyo's Omotesando district this summer. The Google Store Omotesando, located on the first floor of the Omokado Tokyu Plaza, will be the 11th in Google's physical retail portfolio and its first dedicated full-size store beyond American borders. The storefront mockup released by Google Japan blends the company's signature design language with local touches, including wooden baton framing and a corner billboard nod to Shinjuku's famous 3D cat display. Google says the store opens "this summer," though an exact date has not been set.
Visitors can browse the full Pixel lineup, Nest devices, Fitbit products, and accessories. The store will offer on-site Pixel repairs, device setup assistance, and troubleshooting, similar to what Apple provides at its Genius Bars.
In-store workshops are also planned, along with the ability to pick up online orders from the Google Store Japan website.
Google's decision to plant its flag in Tokyo tracks with the region's growing appetite for Pixel devices. Despite a modest global market share, Japan has become one of the company's strongest hardware markets in recent years.
Google says the choice mirrors its history: Japan was where the company opened its first international office.
This is Google's first standalone retail store outside the US, but not its first attempt at international brick-and-mortar. The company previously operated store-within-a-store concepts at Best Buy locations in Canada and opened a Google Shop inside Currys in London back in 2015, which has since closed. The Omotesando location signals a more permanent commitment to physical retail, and the high-end shopping mall placement suggests Google is positioning its hardware alongside premium brands.
