Camera no Kitamura
Camera no Kitamura (カメラのキタムラ) operates the Shinjuku Kitamura Photo Store, a seven-floor specialty camera retailer and photography services flagship in Tokyo offering new and used cameras/lenses (5,000+ used-item inventory), authorized Leica boutique, repair, photo printing, and two photo studio brands serving photography enthusiasts, professionals, and collectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Camera no Kitamura does
Camera no Kitamura (カメラのキタムラ) is a privately held Japanese specialty camera retailer and photography services operator, legally 株式会社カメラのキタムラ (Kitamura Co., Ltd.) and headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Its principal asset is the 新宿 北村写真機店 (Shinjuku Kitamura Photo Store), a seven-floor flagship opened on July 3, 2020 and anchored by what management describes as one of the world's largest used-camera inventories of approximately 5,000 items, with particular depth in film cameras and manual focus lenses. The company is led by Representative Director Kazuhiro Fukumoto (福本 和宏), with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or public listing.
The business spans four revenue streams: (1) one-time sales of new and used cameras, lenses, and accessories across Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Hasselblad, Fujifilm, Sigma, Olympus, Panasonic, and Pentax, with used inventory graded AA (like new) through C (poor); (2) trade-in/buyback services under a "MAX Price" guaranteed valuation, with an additional 10% uplift on online trade-ins; (3) repair and maintenance services, including Apple Authorized Service Provider status for Apple devices; and (4) photography services such as ID photos, film development, photo printing, and two studio brands on the 7F floor—PICmii (self-photo studio) and Kitamura Photo Studio by MERCI (premium narrative studio). The 6F floor hosts an officially authorized Leica boutique with adjacent vintage Leica and Leica Vintage Salon sections. Distribution is omnichannel: a single physical flagship in Shinjuku complemented by the kitamuracamera.jp e-commerce platform offering home delivery or in-store pickup, plus shopping credit financing of up to 60 interest-free installments.
The target customer is the photography enthusiast and professional segment—amateur hobbyists, working photographers, and camera collectors seeking both new equipment and rare/vintage gear—supplemented by walk-in demand for ID photos, Apple device repair, and self-photo-studio experiences. The company is founder-managed with no disclosed external ownership, no reported funding rounds, and no public financial statements; its operating geography is restricted to a single domestic location in the Kanto region.
Camera no Kitamura firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Camera no Kitamura
- Legal name
- 株式会社カメラのキタムラ
- Website
- https://kitamuracamera.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Camera no Kitamura (カメラのキタムラ) operates the Shinjuku Kitamura Photo Store, a seven-floor specialty camera retailer and photography services flagship in Tokyo offering new and used cameras/lenses (5,000+ used-item inventory), authorized Leica boutique, repair, photo printing, and two photo studio brands serving photography enthusiasts, professionals, and collectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Camera no Kitamura industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Camera Retail
- NAICS
- Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423410), Photographic Services (54192), Photography Studios, Portrait (541921), Photofinishing (81292)
- SIC
- Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861), Services-Photofinishing Laboratories (7384)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Camera & Lens Retail (Photo Cameras, Lenses & Optical Accessories) (CRACAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gimbals, Stabilizers & Camera Rigs (Handheld, Wearable, Drone Gimbals) (CRACAPAE), Video Camera & Production Gear Retail (Camcorders, Cinema Cameras, Rigs) (CRACAHAB), Action Cameras & Adventure Imaging Retail (CRACAHAD), Photography & Photo Production (BPAFAIAF)
Keywords
Camera no Kitamura business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Camera and Lens Sales: Sales of new and used cameras, lenses, and camera accessories across multiple brands including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Hasselblad, Fujifilm, Sigma, Olympus, Panasonic, and Pentax
- Trade-in/Buyback Services: Camera and lens trade-in services with 'MAX Price' guaranteed buyback program. Customers can sell their used equipment with prices based on market conditions.
- Repair and Maintenance: Camera repair, maintenance services, and Apple product repair services. Official Apple Authorized Service Provider status.
- Photo Services: Photo printing, photo ID services, film development, and self-photo studio (PICmii) services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Used camera/Lens pricing by condition grade |
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Camera no Kitamura product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Camera no Kitamura operates a specialty camera retail and photography services business anchored by a seven-floor flagship store in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Its core offering is the sale of new and used cameras, lenses, and camera accessories from leading domestic and international brands (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Hasselblad, Fujifilm, Sigma, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax), complemented by buyback/trade-in services, manufacturer-level camera repair and maintenance, photo printing, ID photo services, an authorized Leica boutique, an Apple Authorized Service Provider repair counter, and two photography experience brands (PICmii self photo studio and Kitamura Photo Studio by MERCI).
Product overview
Camera no Kitamura (新宿 北村写真機店) is a single-location, multi-floor specialty camera retailer and service provider operated by KITAMURA Co., Ltd. Located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, the seven-floor (B1F–7F) store offers a curated portfolio of camera retail, repair, and photography experience services. The core product portfolio consists of new and used camera/lens sales, complemented by specialized services including an authorized Leica boutique, a photo gallery (Basement Gallery), photo printing and ID photo services, Apple product repair, and two photography experience brands: PICmii (self-service photo studio) and 北村写真スタジオ by MERCI (premium photography studio). The store also provides camera repair/maintenance and a junk camera section. An e-commerce platform supports online sales with home delivery or in-store pickup. The offering is structured as a unified physical retail and service experience rather than a software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- New Camera/Lens Sales (新品カメラ/レンズ) Sale of new cameras and lenses from domestic and international manufacturers, with knowledgeable staff assisting customers in selecting the optimal camera for their needs; targeted at photography enthusiasts and professionals.
- Used Camera/Lens Sales (中古カメラ/レンズ) Sale of used cameras and lenses holding approximately 5,000 items — described as one of the world's largest inventories — with particular strength in film cameras and manual focus lenses; targeted at used-gear buyers, collectors, and hobbyists seeking hard-to-find equipment.
- Used Camera/Lens Buyback (中古カメラ/レンズ 買取) Open-counter purchase and valuation service for used cameras and lenses where customers can observe the appraisal process; prices are based on market conditions, supported by a MAX Price guarantee plus an additional 10% uplift on online trade-in quotes.
- Leica Boutique / Used Leica / Leica Vintage Salon (ライカブティック / 中古ライカ / ライカヴィンテージサロン) Officially authorized Leica boutique offering new Leica camera bodies, lenses, binoculars, and accessories, alongside a dedicated used Leica floor and vintage salon, with Leica photography displayed throughout the space; targeted at Leica enthusiasts, collectors, and high-end buyers.
- Camera Repair and Maintenance (カメラ修理/メンテナンス) Camera and lens repair and maintenance services performed by manufacturer-certified factories, with pre-purchase testing available in-store; targeted at customers needing warranty, out-of-warranty, or pre-purchase-due-diligence servicing.
- Basement Gallery (ベースメントギャラリー) Cultural gallery space on the B1F floor dedicated to photo culture, hosting photo exhibitions and serving as a venue to discover celebrated photography works, under the theme of 'sending photo culture from the underground.'
- Style & Goods / Photo Printing (スタイル＆グッズ / 写真プリント) Photo-related goods retail plus film and photo printing services on the 1F floor, offering exclusive original products and a growing film sales section for those seeking alternative photographic possibilities; targeted at photo lifestyle consumers and film photographers.
- ID Photo Service (証明写真) Professional ID photo service on the 5F floor covering My Number Card (マイナンバー), passport photos, and job application photos; targeted at consumers needing compliant identification photos.
- Apple Product Repair (Apple製品修理) Apple product repair service operated from the 5F service counter under the company's status as an Apple Authorized Service Provider; targeted at Apple device owners needing manufacturer-recognized repairs.
- PICmii Self Photo Studio (PICmii新宿店) Korean-origin self photo studio (自撮り写真館) that has become hugely popular in Japan, offering a professional studio environment for memorable self-photos, leveraging know-how from Camera no Kitamura and Studio Mario; targeted at consumers seeking a casual, premium self-photo experience.
- Kitamura Photo Studio by MERCI (北村写真スタジオ by MERCI) Premium photography studio experience on the 7F floor where clients journey through space, costumes, fragrance, and light to capture life's important moments as photographic narratives; targeted at consumers seeking high-end commemorative photography.
- Junk Camera/Lens (ジャンクカメラ / レンズ) Permanent in-store sales of junk cameras and lenses on the 3F floor (previously sold only during limited-time 'JUNK CAMERA MARKET' events), in a calm environment where customers can browse each item at leisure; targeted at hobbyists, repair enthusiasts, and parts collectors.
- Online Shop with Home Delivery and Store Pickup (中古カメラ・レンズのオンラインショップ) Online sales platform on kitamuracamera.jp allowing customers to purchase new and used cameras and lenses with home delivery or in-store pickup, including a trade-in service that adds an additional 10% above the buyback valuation.
Companies that use Camera no Kitamura
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Camera no Kitamura technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Camera no Kitamura partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Apple Inc.coreAuthorized Apple Service Provider (Apple正規サービスプロバイダ) providing repair services for Apple products at the 5F service counter. Indicates official certification and partnership status with Apple for device repairs.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Camera no Kitamura competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fujiya Camera: Long-established Tokyo used-camera specialist with strong collector-grade inventory and a buyback program. Comparable to Kitamura's used-camera depth and appeal to enthusiasts and collectors.
- Map Camera: Tokyo-based specialty camera retailer known for a deep new and used camera/lens inventory, strong online sales platform, and competitive buyback program. Closest direct competitor to Kitamura's Shinjuku flagship in both product mix and customer base.
- Camera no Tanaka (カメラの田中): Independent Japanese specialty camera retailer carrying new and used cameras/lenses with a focus on enthusiast and professional customers. Comparable mid-scale direct competitor in the curated camera retail segment.
Others
- Mercari: Japan's largest C2C marketplace with a significant used-camera and lens category. Competes indirectly by giving consumers a self-serve alternative to Kitamura's trade-in and used-purchase flows, putting pressure on pricing and convenience.
- Apple (Authorized Service Provider network): Apple's Authorized Service Provider program is the framework under which Kitamura operates its Apple repair counter. Relevant as the upstream relationship that enables a non-camera recurring service revenue stream.
Broad incumbents
- Bic Camera: Major Japanese consumer electronics and camera retail chain offering cameras and lenses as part of a much wider assortment. Competes with Kitamura on new-camera pricing and convenience, but lacks its depth in used gear and experience services.
- Leica Camera (Leica Store Tokyo): Brand-owned Leica boutiques (e.g., Leica Store Tokyo Ginza) sell new Leica cameras and accessories and host exhibitions. Comparable on the premium Leica boutique and gallery experience, but does not offer Kitamura's broader multi-brand or used-camera depth.
- Yodobashi Camera: Largest Japanese big-box consumer electronics retailer, including a significant camera and lens offering. Competes primarily on price, selection, and store footprint rather than curated used inventory or boutique experience.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Camera no Kitamura social profiles
Digital presenceCamera no Kitamura financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Camera no Kitamura leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Camera no Kitamura subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Camera no Kitamura funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Camera no Kitamura M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Camera no Kitamura
What does Camera no Kitamura do?
Camera no Kitamura operates a specialty camera retail and photography services business anchored by a seven-floor flagship store in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Its core offering is the sale of new and used cameras, lenses, and camera accessories from leading domestic and international brands (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, Hasselblad, Fujifilm, Sigma, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax), complemented by buyback/trade-in services, manufacturer-level camera repair and maintenance, photo printing, ID photo services, an authorized Leica boutique, an Apple Authorized Service Provider repair counter, and two photography experience brands (PICmii self photo studio and Kitamura Photo Studio by MERCI).
Is Camera no Kitamura a public or private company?
Camera no Kitamura is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Camera no Kitamura founded?
Camera no Kitamura was founded in 1934.
How does Camera no Kitamura make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Camera and Lens Sales are the primary driver. The others are trade-in/Buyback Services, repair and Maintenance and photo Services.
Who are Camera no Kitamura's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fujiya Camera, Map Camera and Camera no Tanaka (カメラの田中). Others are Mercari and Apple (Authorized Service Provider network). Broad incumbents are Bic Camera, Leica Camera (Leica Store Tokyo) and Yodobashi Camera.
Does Camera no Kitamura have an API?
No public API is recorded for Camera no Kitamura.
What industry is Camera no Kitamura in?
Camera no Kitamura's product category is Camera Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAHAA, Camera & Lens Retail (Photo Cameras, Lenses & Optical Accessories), with a secondary code of CRACAPAE, Gimbals, Stabilizers & Camera Rigs (Handheld, Wearable, Drone Gimbals). Its NAICS code is 423410 and its SIC code is 3861.