URO Akita

うろ　

2-77 Senshumeitokumachi, Akita, 010-0875　

Uro in central Akita City strikes the perfect balance between contemporary elegance and traditional rusticism in both its interior decor and the offerings of its largely domestic specialty brands.

The shop was suggested to me by one of the owners of Hatagaya’s Poesies, who grew up in Akita City. In fact, the owner of Poesies and one of the owners of Uro know each other from Tokyo’s fashion retail industry.

Heavily featured at the time I visited was Kyoto-based brand Mittan, a label focusing on contemporary clothing based on traditional Japanese techniques and garment styles. Amongst their offerings are aizome indigo-dyed knitwear and hemp-constructed outerwear, tops, and bottoms.

Behind the display case at the register are traditional iron-work tools and domestically forged knives from Tottori, the other owner’s home prefecture, which adds a personal touch that is simultaneously fully in line with the shop’s offerings.

Up a narrow, spiral staircase is an eclectically curated selection of vintage clothing, largely sourced from the United States and Europe. University sweatshirts and fraternity merchandise lined the racks.

Upon telling the two owners that I was referred to their establishment by a mutual friend of ours, we toasted with a “kanpai” over some Heartland and discussed my plans for further exploring the Tohoku region.

I ended up walking away with a black hemp-fabric t-shirt with a slight mock neck, perfect for the hot summer in Japan.

Mittan t-shirt purchased at Uro paired with Yohji Yamamoto Balloon Pants and Margiela Tabi Chelsea Boots