Lotte Duty Free said on the 4th that it opened a Gentle Monster store at its Kansai Airport location in Japan on the 2nd. This is the first time a Gentle Monster store has entered Japan's duty-free channel.
Gentle Monster is an eyewear brand that started in Korea in 2011. With original design, sensuous spatial presentation, and a differentiated brand universe, it is drawing attention in the global eyewear market. It operates flagship stores in major cities at home and abroad, and has raised its profile among Millennials and Gen Z through collaborations in fashion and entertainment.
The new store is located in the international departures area of Terminal 1 at Kansai International Airport. The store concept is "an exploration of the human inner self," focusing on delivering a sensorial brand experience beyond a simple retail space through Gentle Monster's signature artistic objects and spatial composition.
A "star" object is placed at the entrance to create a scene harmonizing with natural light. It symbolizes the shining heart within, as well as each person's individuality, emotions, and identity. Inside, three "giant head kinetic objects" are installed. With expressions that seem lost in thought and moving pupils, they artistically express human thoughts, emotions, and relationships.
Kansai International Airport is the representative international airport of Japan's Kansai region. About 25.72 million passengers used it in 2025, and after recently completing a four-phase renovation, its annual international capacity has expanded to 40 million. With global traveler inflows expected to increase, Lotte Duty Free plans to use this Gentle Monster opening as a springboard to strengthen competitiveness in the fashion eyewear category.
Lotte Duty Free has expanded its presence in Japan's duty-free market since first entering Kansai International Airport in 2014. The Kansai Airport location currently operates high-end jewelry brands such as Bulgari and Chaumet. With the addition of Gentle Monster, the lineup of globally popular brands has been further strengthened. In Korea, Gentle Monster is sold through the Myeong-dong main store, World Tower store, Jeju store, and the online duty-free store.
A Lotte Duty Free official said, "It is meaningful to introduce Gentle Monster, which leads global eyewear trends, at the Kansai Airport store for the first time in Japan's duty-free channel," adding, "We will continue to offer the best shopping experience to travelers worldwide through differentiated brand curation and spatial marketing, and further solidify our position in the global duty-free market."