All About Japan

New Osaka Louis Vuitton Resembles Sailing Ship

On February 1, 2020, Louis Vuitton opened its new Osaka Midosuji store. Although not necessarily a flagship, it certainly resembles a sailing ship!

Preserving History with Newspaper Sculptures

Japanese visual artist Atsushi Adachi creates miniature replicas of objects from the past using old newspaper clippings and articles sourced from the same period, including replicas like this battleship and other historical moments.

Always Bounce Back with Rubber Band Fashion

Working entirely with rubber bands, which have limited functionality and are definitely not scarce, Rie Sakamoto created a line of garments that were on display at an exhibition in Tokyo.

Cool Kanazawa Hotel Connecting People & Places

Kumu opened during the summer of 2017 in a building renovated by architect Yusuke Seki, who set out to design a space that is both inclusive and engaged with its context. Spoon & Tamago has the full story.

Kyushu Bank Redesigned Using Local Wood

The power of design was on full display when Higo Bank, a regional bank in Kyushu, opened its newest branch and completely transformed all our preconceptions of how a bank can make us feel.

Paper Relief Images Capture the Glory of Tokyo

"Farewell My Tokyo," by designer Megumi Takami, sets out to preserve the essence of Tokyo's architecture and landmarks, cut from paper in captivating detail.

No Need for Fire with Self-igniting Incense

Incense and matches, combined as one. This ingenious yet intuitive design comes from a 90-year old Japanese match manufacturer, who never stopped innovating.

Lay Around in Landabout Hotel in Uguisudani

A new hotel in the area of Uguisudani is bringing stylish charm and simplicity to its little part of Tokyo.

Make Your Own Chopsticks from 'Hamidashimono'

For more than 100 years, a town in Nara Prefecture has been using leftover, high-quality cypress wood from the home construction process to create disposable chopsticks. And now, you can make your own at home.

See Through Your Mistakes with Clear Erasers

The rubber eraser is roughly 250 years old. But for all its old age, the partner to any pencil has always had one major flaw. You can’t see what you’re erasing. Until today.

Top 10 Kengo Kuma Buildings in Tokyo

In Japan, there are many wonderful buildings that clearly showcase the talents of Kengo Kuma and his team from Kengo Kuma & Associates. Simply read on for our top 10 Kengo Kuma architecture in Tokyo, Japan, that you can see.

Toyota's Future City Near Mount Fuji

One of Japan's leading automotive manufacturers, Toyota, is planning to bring their vision of the future to life at the foot of Mount Fuji.

Bringing Natural Harmony to a Nursery School

A nursery school in Tottori is connecting children to nature with its award-winning design.

Pop-up Shop Interior Made of Ziploc Containers

It was back in 2018 when Beams first announced a series of haute couture items with bag and storage maker Ziploc, but the brand is doubling down on the intriguing collaboration.

Graffiti Pikachu at Shibuya's Pokémon Center

The newest Pokémon Center in Shibuya, within walking distance from the Scramble intersection, also has giant Mewtwo in a research tube waiting to greet guests.

Marvelously Modern Metal Company's Work Space

Located in one of Japan’s industrial hubs of Osaka is Nakanishi Metal Works, a company that manufactures metal components. And it's about time the 95-year-old metalworking company got a makeover of its own.

Miniature Model of Shinjuku Made Only of Paper

Toshi is a Japanese office worker in his 20s who has a unique hobby: building miniature paper models of cities at a 1/2200 scale. And he has completed his most ambitious project to date: a mini model of Tokyo's sprawling area of Shinjuku.

Student Merges Metal & Traditional Woodwork

Japanese student and bicycle enthusiast Hiroto has merged traditional Japanese craftwork with bicycle-making to create what he calls a "wa-modern" bicycle.

Fire Extinguishers Combining Safety & Style

One fire extinguisher company had the interesting idea to combine the fascination of home decoration with disaster preparedness, with very stylish results.

Usual Landscapes Painted on Unusual Canvases

Working with acrylics, painter Daisuke Samejima uses irregular canvases to paint realistic yet regular scenes of the Japanese suburban life.

know-before-you-go