Tokyo-based sneaker boutique BILLY’S ENT and the UK’s pioneering sneaker retailer size? unveil the second release of the adidas originals “JAPAN CITY SERIES”, titled KYOTO. The model will be available exclusively in Japan, with an early launch at BILLY’S Kyoto store on November 15, 2025 (Sat), followed by a nationwide release at all BILLY’S locations and online on November 21 (Fri).

Courtesy of BILLY’S

The “JAPAN CITY SERIES” reinterprets adidas’s iconic City Series—originally developed in the 1970s and 1980s to celebrate cities around the world—through a contemporary lens. Following the first installment, SAPPORO, this new edition draws inspiration from Kyoto’s unique sense of calm and dignity, embodying the spirit of Japanese aesthetics.

Courtesy of BILLY'S

The KYOTO model is based on adidas’s classic TOBACCO silhouette, reimagined with a special embroidered city name along the three stripes—an exclusive feature reserved for this series. Two versions have been designed independently by BILLY’S and size?, each offering a distinct interpretation of Kyoto’s cultural landscape.

Courtesy of BILLY’S

The BILLY’S version features deep matcha green tones inspired by the moss gardens of Kyoto’s tea houses, contrasted with beige accents reminiscent of bamboo and chasen (tea whisks). The palette captures the quiet sophistication and balance that define Kyoto’s serene atmosphere.


Courtesy of BILLY’S

Meanwhile, the size? version takes cues from the city’s vibrant jazz culture. Its rich brown base evokes the warmth of wooden bar counters, accented with blue and retro red hues reminiscent of glowing bar lights and vintage record covers—an ode to Kyoto’s nocturnal rhythm.

Courtesy of BILLY’S

The campaign visuals were shot in quintessential Kyoto settings, including machiya townhouses, Japanese gardens, and the Kamo River area. Each image harmonizes the sneakers with the surrounding landscape, expressing a refined world where product and place resonate as one. The resulting visuals convey a quiet yet unwavering presence—an aesthetic of stillness rooted in movement.