This 9-story Rakuragu hotel rises from an ultra-narrow site in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. If it’s nightlife you’re in search of, this hotel may not be right for you but if you’re looking for understated stylishness and rare outdoor space, this is a gem of a hotel. With just 14 rooms, its design prioritizes […]
Illustrator and embroidery artist Tomoko Kubo has embarked on an epic linguistic journey of embroidering all 46 characters in the hiragana lettering system. Each piece is carefully designed so that within each character are individually embroidered images that depict foods, animals and activities that begin with that character. Not only are they visually beautiful but […]
The Osaka Expo 2025 kicks off on April 13th. And while we’re excited about some pretty niche things like Hello Kitty algae and attendant uniforms, one of Japan’s signature pavilions, Earth Mart, is shaping up to be delightfully delicious. Located within the expo’s Green World zone, Earth Mart will make you rethink and reevaluate the […]
Kei Endo is an accomplished architect and draughtswoman who got her start by merging her hobbies of travelling and art: she began sharing her detailed, architectural survey drawings of the hotel rooms she stayed at. This wonderful side-hustle eventually blossomed into a career. And Endo’s repertoire expanded from hotel rooms to hotel amenities, meals, desserts and […]
Hailing from rural Aomori in northern Japan, Sumire Morino grew up skiing and snowboarding. She is currently in art school studying traditional Japanese crafts. And so when Morino turned twenty, 2 years ago, she celebrated coming-of-age-day the only way she knew how: hitting the slopes in a traditional furisode kimono. Morino is set to graduate […]
all images by Otama-shimai | used with permission The Japanese artist who goes by the name Otama-shimai creates Nihonga-style images almost exclusively of hamsters. Nihonga is a Japanese style of painting coined in the mid-1800s to differentiate it from its Western counterpart. Typically made from organic pigments and depicting animals or landscapes, nihonga can be […]
Japanese family crests, or kamon, are visual symbols that have represented family lineage and identity sometimes for centuries. While they are often associated with tradition and cultural heritage, their meanings, usage, and significance can vary widely. Some kamon hold profound historical or personal meaning for families, while others may have been chosen for aesthetic reasons or simply inherited without deeper thought. These […]
World War II ended in 1945. That same year, at the age of 40 and with a husband and 3 children, Ayako Miyawaki would begin an artistic career so full of vitality and creative freedom that she would go on to produce hundreds of works made from rags and other textiles stitched together. “Hinona” Turnips, […]
Get ready to show your love for Hiroshima. Specifically, their Electric Railway. An integral part of the city’s history and modern-day transportation, Hiroshima boasts the longest and most utilized streetcar network in Japan, operated by the Hiroshima Electric Railway Company and affectionately known as Hiroden. And you’ll soon be able to carry the Hiroden with […]
all photographs by Koji Fujii(TOREAL) courtesy EA Research and Design Office Located in tranquil Joetsu City, Echigo Yakuso is a health food company that has been researching medicinal herbs and fermented foods for over 40 years. During their production process of products, which include teas, vinegars, kimchi and supplements, the company realized that tons of […]