Every May, New Balance dedicates a month to its iconic grey. This year’s global celebration, Grey Days, includes a standout installation at T-HOUSE New Balance in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi Hamacho district, honouring not only the brand’s color identity but also one of its rarest models: the Made in USA 1300JP.
Only released once every five years, the 1300JP is a cult classic originally launched in 1985. Known for its combination of technical innovation and premium materials, ENCAP midsole cushioning, nubuck and mesh uppers, it helped redefine what a running shoe could be. Now, decades later, the model continues to represent the pinnacle of New Balance craftsmanship, meticulously produced in Skowhegan, Maine.
To mark the 2025 launch, designer Ayami Uchima of design studio Nopra-bo has crafted a spatial installation that draws inspiration from traditional Japanese tea rooms. Tatami flooring forms the foundation of a raised four-and-a-half mat platform, while an asymmetrical wall display, reminiscent of the Kasumi-dana shelving in Kyoto’s Shugakuin Imperial Villa, holds archival editions of the 1300 series. It’s both an homage and a reinterpretation.
Rather than taking center stage, the materials, grey tones, natural textures, tatami, serve as a quiet backdrop, reinforcing what Uchima describes as the brand’s shared sensibility with Japanese design. “Tatami is both a traditional floor material and a familiar comfort,” she notes. “Like New Balance grey, it supports without overpowering.”
The installation runs through May 27 and includes archival models from 1985, 2010, and 2020. Full release details will be announced on May 12 via @newbalance_t_house.
Visit:
T-HOUSE New Balance
3-9-2 Nihonbashi Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Open Mon–Tue: 11am–2pm / 3pm–7pm, Fri–Sun: 11am–7pm. Closed Wed–Thu.
