Skip navigation
menu close
  • About us
    • Profile
    • Core Values
    • Strategy
    • Leadership Team
    • History
    • BIRKENSTOCK worldwide
  • Our brand
    • Purpose
    • Walking As Nature Intended
    • Materials
    • Production and Manufacturing
    • Sustainability
    • Brand Protection
  • Investor Relations
  • Newsroom
    • News & Events
    • Brand Stories
    • Media Contact
    • Media Downloads
  • Career
    • Workplace
    • Career Opportunities
    • Job Portal
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Suppliers
    • Reseller
  • shop
Search
    Deutsch

BIRKENSTOCK Celebrates 250 Years of Shoemaking with the Exclusive Kyoto Tradition

19.09.2024

Paris, September 2024 – In celebration of 250 years of shoemaking tradition, BIRKENSTOCK unveils the Kyoto Tradition sandal, the first release in a series of limitededition products that honor the brand's storied heritage and commitment to quality.

The Kyoto Tradition sandal, limited to only 250 pairs, is crafted from premium deerskin leather sourced from Kolesch, the last "Altsämisch" tannery in Germany, located in Biberach in the Upper Swabia region of Baden-Württemberg. Since 1723, Kolesch has employed the traditional Altsämisch method, which uses only salt, water, and fish oil for tanning—a process that ensures the leather remains naturally soft and durable without the use of chemicals.

The upper of the sandal showcases this fine deerskin leather, chosen for its soft hand feel and traditionally used in making Lederhosen, the traditional leather breeches, typically worn in German-speaking Central Europe. The hook and loop strap features and embossed detail and an engraving with its unique number, from one to 250.

At the core of the sandal is BIRKENSTOCK's iconic footbed, crafted from cork harvested from cork oaks that are over 200 years old. As the first edition of the series celebrating 250 years of shoemaking tradition, the exclusive Kyoto sandal embodies BIRKENSTOCK's dedication to Function, Quality and Tradition. It is a testament to the craftsmanship that has defined the brand for centuries.

This sandal will be available starting September 19, 2024, at select BIRKENSTOCK stores, global retailers and 1774.com. Stay tuned for more unique releases as BIRKENSTOCK continues to celebrate a quarter-century of shoemaking with further tributes to our rich history and innovative spirit.

About BIRKENSTOCK

BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income and which is committed to a clear purpose - maintaining foot health. Deeply rooted in studies of the biomechanics of the human foot and footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774, BIRKENSTOCK is a timeless «super brand» with a brand universe that transcends product categories and ranges from entry-level to luxury price points while addressing the growing need for a conscious and active lifestyle. Function, quality and tradition are the core values of the lifestyle brand which features products in the footwear, sleep systems and natural cosmetics segments. BIRKENSTOCK is the inventor of the footbed and has shaped the principle of walking as intended by nature (“Naturgewolltes Gehen”).

With around 6,200 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is convinced that how things are made matters as much as the product itself. To ensure these quality standards, the Group operates a vertically integrated manufacturing base and produces all footbeds in Germany. In addition, BIRKENSTOCK assembles over 95% of all products in Germany and sources over 90% of materials and components from Europe. Raw materials are processed to the highest environmental and social standards in the industry. For materials testing BIRKENSTOCK operates state-of-the-art scientific laboratories.

Headquartered in Linz am Rhein, the BIRKENSTOCK Group also operates its own sales offices in the United States and Canada as well as in Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Dubai, Singapore and India.

Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG Burg Ockenfels,
Linz am Rhein, Germany

You can find our online shop at www.birkenstock.com

Press contact

Jochen Gutzy
Chief Communications Officer

Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG
Burg Ockenfels
53545 Linz

Postal address:
Sedanstraße 4
D-50668 Köln

E-mail:mediabirkenstockcom

Teilen
22.08.2025

Kith for BIRKENSTOCK Boston Braided

Read more
21.08.2025

BIRKENSTOCK SETS FOOT IN UTRECHT, OPENING ITS THIRD STORE IN THE NETHERLANDS WITHIN A YEAR

Read more
01.08.2025

BIRKENSTOCK STEPS INTO BRERA – MILAN’S CREATIVE MELTING POT OF ARTISTS, INTELLECTUALS, AND INNOVATORS

Read more
28.05.2025

BIRKENSTOCK EXPANDS IN THE NETHERLANDS WITH A NEW RETAIL DESTINATION IN THE HEART OF THE HAGUE

Read more
30.04.2025

BIRKENSTOCK OPENS IN SAN SEBASTIÁN, BRINGING ITS FOOTBED – A TESTAMENT TO FUNCTION, DESIGN AND QUALITY – TO THE BASQUE COAST

Read more
  • Social media
    • icon-instagram
    • icon-facebook
    • icon-pinterest
    • icon-youtube
    • icon-linkedin
  • LEGAL INFORMATION
  • Data protection
  • Customer Service
  • Cookie settings
© 2025 Birkenstock
Birkenstock
  • About us
      • Profile
      • Core Values
      • Strategy
      • Leadership Team
      • History
      • BIRKENSTOCK worldwide
  • Our brand
      • Purpose
      • Walking As Nature Intended
      • Materials
      • Production and Manufacturing
      • Sustainability
      • Brand Protection
  • Investor Relations
  • Newsroom
      • News & Events
      • Brand Stories
      • Media Contact
      • Media Downloads
  • Career
      • Workplace
      • Career Opportunities
      • Job Portal
  • Contact
      • Contact
      • Suppliers
      • Reseller
  • shop
  • Language
    • German

Load more