It is summer festival season in Japan. While a traditional Kimono is only worn on special occasions, Yukata are worn by all generations during this time. Recently one particular brand has caught my eye. Chikusen has been making traditional Japanese clothing since 1842 and while many of their designs are...
“The people who built those machines are not here anymore,” says Osamu Yamamoto, who speaks deferentially of the cast-iron collotype printers at Benrido Atelier in Kyoto. Yamamoto is the manager of Benrido, a printing establishment that uses some of the last, traditional collotype machines in the world to create richly...
In 1964, 10-year old Kengo Kuma visited Tokyo and stood in awe of the swooping, concrete Olympic stadiums designed by Kenzo Tange. These megalithic forms, which spiral off the ground in simultaneous expression and defiance of physics, captured the energy of rapidly industrializing Japan and inspired Kuma to become an...
Last time I visited Kyoto I had the pleasure of receiving a tour of a newly renovated machiya turned into Airbnb by the architect Seiichi Takeuchi (@schrtkch on Instagram). Takeuchi-san has worked under star architect Ando Tadao for many years and has recently established his own practice in Osaka. Attracted...
Japanese is a language that uses a lot of filler words—nanka, ano ne, uun, ano, sou des ka?, sou sou—small, highly inflected expressions that depend on context to girth their meaning. Sou sou is an expression that usually indicates recognition or validation: yes, yes. Sou Sou is a Kyoto-based textile...
Zaborin is a luxury ryokan of 15 villas, located in the rapidly expanding ski resort town of Niseko, Hokkaido. It’s one of those places that has made every possible “best of” list, from Michelin Guides to Conde Nast Traveler to Architectural Digest. The onsen on site has earned attention for...
When Rika Yajima was only 19 years old, she began to get curious about Japanese craftsmanship. She wanted to get to know the traditions of the preindustrial past, when the handmade goods were central to Japanese culture. The adults in her life – the generation above her own – were...
Past March a new organic donut shop Koe Donuts opened its doors that immediately caught my eye due to its high quality design starting from the branding through to it’s interior design. No surprise when I found out that the creative team behind it included star architect Kuma Kengo, award-winning...
Shikoku is the smallest of the major islands in Japan. In the lush greens of Kochi prefecture, about 30 min away from the hustle and bustle you’ll find Auberge Tosayama. Surrounded by mountains and rivers you can enjoy contemporary architecture, great dining as well as a outdoor hot spring bath...
A couple weeks ago a new culinary experience called “The Farm Tokyo” opened its doors. “The farm” will be open from April 5th until end of October 2019 and is located right by Tokyo station. This should be a great place to enjoy some good food and cold beer after...
The Miho Museum is a modern museum with a mystifying history. Nestled in the mountains of Shigaraki southeast of Kyoto (an area traditionally known for its ceramic kilns), it was founded by Mihoko Koyama, who believed that works of art have spiritual energy. Mihoko was the originator of Shinji Shumeikai,...
Guntu is a 38-passenger cruise ship that takes guests on a journey along the coastlines of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. Part yacht, part ryokan, part high-end hotel, Guntu is not only a true achievement in nautical design, but it also represents something exceptional in the world of contemporary hospitality as...
