On August 31st, Onward Kashiyama opened the first Japanese store for its "United Bamboo" brand, marking its return to Japan, at Marronnier Gate in Tokyo's Ginza district. Until Spring/Summer 2012, the brand was distributed domestically by Jun, but last year, Onward Holdings acquired the trademark rights for the brand across Asia, including Japan, from the US company United Bamboo. Starting this season, Onward Kashiyama is responsible for domestic sales, fully launching standalone stores, wholesale, and online businesses. In addition to United Bamboo, the Marronnier Gate store also carries the brand's merchandise line, "LE BAC," under a licensing agreement with Onward Kashiyama. United Bamboo coats and dresses are complemented by newly enhanced Western clothing and pants. Le Bac's staple canvas bags are the core of the brand's lineup, with an expanded range of daily goods, including bags, leather goods, stationery, and multi-function mobile phones, resulting in a 50% mix of miscellaneous goods.

The shop environment, which evokes the streets of New York, is based on neutral colors such as white and gray, with brick and wooden fixtures on the walls. To commemorate the opening, a travel cosmetics kit (5,250 yen) created in collaboration with organic cosmetics brand THREE and a double-branded bag (34,650 yen) with PORTER are available.

Although it has only been a few days since the opening, United Bamboo's leather tote bag (25,200 yen) and the collaborative bag with PORTER have already sold well, with miscellaneous goods accounting for 70% of sales. "We have been seeing a lot of fashion-conscious customers, mainly office ladies from the Ginza area, visiting the store, and we are feeling very positive," said an Onward Kashiyama public relations representative. The main price ranges are outerwear from 25,000 to 100,000 yen, dresses from 19,000 to 59,000 yen, skirts from 14,000 to 39,000 yen, pants from 14,000 to 49,000 yen, knitwear and cut-and-sew items from 7,000 to 69,000 yen, and blouses and shirts from 10,000 to 39,000 yen. Bags range from 4,900 to 35,000 yen, multi-function mobile phone accessories from 2,000 to 15,000 yen, and miscellaneous goods from 500 to 20,000 yen. Founded in 1998 by designer Miho Aoki and Vietnamese designer Thuy Pham, United Bamboo offers women's and men's wear incorporating traditional American style, based on the concept of classic modern from New York. The brand participated in the New York Collection from 2004 to 2012. In Japan, the brand was run by the Jun Group from 2003 to spring/summer 2012.