Cukui Clothing & Art Gallery

Visited the store on ⁷⁄₂₃ just when they were about the close. Luckily the worker held the store open for me while I looked around after driving over 6 hours from LA. I didn’t get the name of the guy who helped me but he was so helpfuI. Got a few shirts. The worker told me to come back tomorrow for new releases, but I was on limited time. Will try and be back to get some Dub Nation shirts they didnt have the ones I wanted that Day.

Dopeness.
You gotta go here. It’s all about the experience. What this place represents and how they’re moving towards that.
It’s like a museum with a tour guide. The manager, RJ, is super friendly and has lots of stories to tell… Especially about the ambiance and the phsyical space.
I got the last «The Natives» girl shirt and I love it. I’ve gotten a million compliments from bay folks about the cuteness of it. Unique shirts with the loveliness of local and intentional art. Duh, this place is it. I love how my shirt is not going to be reprinted, so it makes the shirt so worth it. I don’t normally buy t-​shirts for $ 35, but I did with this one and I’m getting a lot of swag points for it.
So worth coming here. Even to just see their amazing counter made of a real rock that took several strong Samoan men to move it in. It’s kinna beautiful. Oh, there’s also like a waterfall in the back of the cashier area. Hella cuties.
Local clothing line with a cultural twist to bring you closer to home.
Local gal with a local heart,
Renee from the Bay

Support locals. Original and solid designs. Nice variety of colors used in their designs whether you’re looking for something simple or unique. Shirts are made with good material printed with quality screen printing. Good location with plenty of parking in SJ Japantown. Plenty of meter parking so don’t forget to bring quarters. Very friendly and helpful staff. They always treated me very good. I am a big fan and supporter of this brand since 2011. Cukui has great sales on various occasions. Cukui does solid collaborations with other local bands. Also, Cukui will host art shows and have evening events. As an added bonus you never know who may drop by such as athletes or artist like BJ Penn of J Boog.

This place is definitely one of my favorite spots to visit whenever I am in Japantown! They always come out with super sick designs especially when it comes to making clothes based off of local teams. Go Dubs! I almost always buy a tank whenever I visit this location assuming they have my size. Some of the designs are limited in quantity so get them while you can because they run out quick due to super high demand.
Also the people who work here are very friendly and super helpful. They don’t rush you and they’re really chill. Ask them for anything and they’re happy to help. If you’re not trying to buy anything, it’s always nice to just browse at the artwork because it’s really one of a kind. If you want something unique, this place definitely has it! I’ll for sure be visiting again in the near future!

Great store. The quality of their clothes are made to last. Every time I am in the area I try to stop by and pick up one the latest and newest shirts. They are always coming out with new designs and themes almost every month.

Waited in line for Black Friday for 3 hrs with the line not moving. I realized friends/​family were getting first dibs. As well as people cutting to people they knew. It was very unorganized. Had to email the company to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Had a response real fast n had the issue resolved. That’s what I call great business & customer care. They deserve 5 stars for their products and all of their efforts to keep things right

Great vibe walking in with a welcoming greet. I try to always stop by because it’s my bf favorite spot to get original designs. And I always try to find something for myself. Women’s selects are limited but all the little items that are on the rack for women I want! It’s nice they have a selection for men women and kids. Misc items like hats, beanies, phone cases, key chains. All these cool things. I would definitely recommend cukui for original Bay Area cultural items.

Keep it local! Keep it original, keep it fresh. That’s the theme of all the great Japan town shops so I’ll start all the reviews the same.
So this is probably my favorite shop. Mainly because I dig all of their creations. I may not wear them all, but I like that their styles are diverse enough to remain interesting and relevant. Diverse selection in style, products, and even materials on products (some interesting hats). Real fresh stuff, I’m not an Islander but if I was I think I’d own their whole collection.
Must stop in.

Being one of my favorite brands, Cukui is located in the Japantown of San Jose.
Their style and store is simple and beautiful. Parking isn’t too bad since street parking is usually available. The workers were nice and always available to assist us as we shopped. Their products have a unique Hawaiian tribal design and feel that appeals to me. The only thing you gotta watch out for are their new designs and deals since they run out pretty fast. Subscribe to them so you can get their latest deals. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for next time!

Story: I remember when they came out with their design on the San Jose Sharks and it was just a work of beauty. After that, you would think they would be a one hit wonder, but no; innovation just kept on coming.
Ambiance:
* Parking | Generally street parking is available. Japantown is fairly small thus there is limited parking. I would recommend to visit during non-​busy times (weekends/​lunch/​dinner)
* Feels | A very calm environment and friendly workers. It must be the pretty cool water fall they have their or the simple display of art and fashion. A simple boutique with it’s unique feel.
Products:
Their style is one of a kind. Topped with the local sports mix, it is simply beautiful. A Hawaiian tribal-​esque feel connected with the Bay Area feel makes the art that even closer.
Customer Service:
Simply friendly, nothing spectacular just the simple basics of respectful customer service
Overall:
5 Stars | Their designs make me feel proud why I am part of the Bay Area. Kudos to Cukui. Stay humble!
Advice:
* Sometimes I get disappointed when I visit because they quickly sell out of the apparels I am looking for. Subscribe to see their latest gear!

I love coming into this store! Every time I come in here there is something that catches my eye; whether it is a cool shirt or the art pieces they have hung up on their wall.
The customer service is great, and they do hound you in trying to make a sale. Their apparel sells itself.
They also have art shows! I just went in this past week and it was great. They had free food and drinks. I also took my younger cousins making it a great event for the family.

Orly has been my tattoo artist for the past few years and I’m so glad to see his designs taking off and getting the recognition they truly deserve. Got my wife a SJ Sharks shirt with his twist and it’s awesome. Can’t wait for more.

There isn’t a reason I can think of to dock any stars from this place. Of course, I could be extremely biased because some friends of mine work here and it’s strongly affiliated with a tattoo shop I used to frequent. lol
But really. If you’re in the San Jose Japantown area, give this place a visit. They carry tshirts, hoodies, hats, beanies, bracelets, and a lot of great great artwork– it’s a small shop, but it holds a lot of local pride. Not to mention a ton of island love, too!

yee

Cukui was one of the first boutiques that I stepped into since moving to San Jose and just mindlessly walking around Japantown. I think the idea that picking a brand that nobody’s really heard of much at the time to me was exciting. Plus, we should always be giving back to our local communities by support local brands and shops.
I stop by maybe twice a year and usually pick up a freshly designed tshirt or some accessories. The shop is small amongst the many boutiques that’s opened up on this strip but still my favorite. It’s not fancy decorated with bright lights and obnoxious art. But rather, subtly art and a clean selection to choose from. I appreciate the simplicity yet the art behind their gear.
The stayrooted plate frame is legit and one of my favorite purchases. With Colin Kap being so popularly associated with the cukui and 49ers, they have a lot more niners design. I came in looking for a gift the other day and they didn’t have quite what I was looking for and I needed a small size.
Just my luck, the employee (I wish I caught his name) told me to wait a second, and he came back with the perfect tee! It was part of their LA showcase, only 1 of 10 of this cukui design made and in the correct size. He sold it to me there on the spot, I didn’t even think about it twice. It was like one of those I’m so rich or so in love, a la carte no prices needed splurge of the moment, TAKE ALL MY MONEY feelings. It was truly one of a kind and a definite gem here in SJ Japantown if you’re looking to dress to impress or support your local business. Plus the artwork inside is a plus!

Cukui is not just a clothing company, but more of a cultural movement. Orly, his team, and their collabs have been killing it since they’ve opened their doors in SJ Japantown in 2010.
Orly has been my tattoo artist for almost 15 years! When HBTat2 was originally on Santa Clara St., my boy Robin and I would kick it at the shop. One day, Robin came up on a very limited HBTat2 poly designed T-​shirt by Orly. Obviously, I missed out and was very jealous! Robin would wear it around me all the time to piss me off! I would bug Orly all the time to make more. .. Fast forward 10 years later and he’s making shirts for everybody to enjoy!
From art shows to block parties, his union of art and streetwear have made an impact! Who can forget Kaepernick’s «Against All Odds» release after the QB put on a show against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game? Remember the Warriors Playoff run? We Believe and so did Cukui when they released the «Golden State Natives» tees and tanks! Besides clothes, I’ve bought earrings for the wife, cell-​phone cases and a wallet. Their designs are original, urban, and fresh to death!
Cukui Mayne!!!

I have been buying Cukui gear for the past four years. Great designs, the quality is very good, and to be able to rock sick tees priceless. keep up the great work

I’ve been shopping at Cukui for a while now and the clothing never disappoints great quality and great original designs. Love how the combine cultures to make great designs. The art on the wall is from local artist. The store is well set up always clean. The owner is a super cool dude.
Stay Rooted

How do I only have a Quick Tip and not a review up for Cukui? Blasphemy!
Let’s just say that most of my family wears Cukui… including my really close friends — both the females and males.
They are usually donned in their gear as they accommodate just about anybody and everybody. They have a bunch of products all creatively crafted and tastefully thought out. The artwork is not your ordinary either. It’s accompanied by that old-​school world flava that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.
The shop is located in Japantown and isn’t hard to find at all… parking may be a little sparse but there is a lot adjacent to the building. Make it a point to stop in here when you’re in the area. Bookmark it. You’ll thank yourself you did.

This is my favorite boutique shop in San Jose. The styles that this store provides is simply and uniquely San Jose with a strong influence of API and Hispanic cultures. Not to mention every once in a while they will have a special event that exhibits artwork or artists famous in the API community. When ever you enter you will be at awe of the things they have and the hospitality they show you. So whenever you’re in this part of town, stop by and check it out. You never what you’ll pick up from here.