Spoon & Tamago

A Spoon & Tamago Guide to Tohoku

The Tohoku region is Japan’s northern frontier on the island of Honshu—a region shaped by nature. Misty mountains, crystal clear streams, rugged coasts and bountiful seafood not only form what is one of Japan’s most-picturesque regions but it also has inspired artisans, makers and chefs, both old and new, to take root on the land. Often overlooked by casual travelers, Tohoku rewards those who make the journey with landscapes and stories that feel timeless.

This autumn we decided to visit two of the region’s six prefectures, Miyagi and Aomori, along with an initial pit-stop in Tokyo, just as the maple and ginkgo trees turned yellow and red and formed a sumptuous backdrop to our daily explorations.

Five Art Exhibitions to See in Japan This Spring

February 7, 2026 / Johnny / 0 Comments

Spring in Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms. Ok, fine it’s mostly about cherry blossoms. But if you’re looking to combine some gallery hopping in between the ohanami, we’ve got you covered. From futuristic anime retrospectives to centuries-old woodblock prints brought together in major museums, here are five art exhibitions not to miss in Japan this spring.

Cats to Blame for Octopus Deity Enshrinement Delay

February 2, 2026 / Johnny / 0 Comments

Hayasuhime Shrine in Oita prefecture is a rarity in Japan because it is dedicated to the octopus. When local sculptor Kousei Hashimoto was tasked with creating a new deity to be enshrined, he expected for it to be completed by the end of the year. But the neighborhood cats had different plans.

Kirishima Brewery’s New Facility and Cafe is Powered Entirely by Sweet Potato and Coffee Beans

January 25, 2026 / Johnny / 0 Comments

Kirishima Shuzo, the iconic Japanese shochu maker, has teamed up with Starbucks Japan to create a one-of-a-kind collaborative facility where coffee, craftsmanship and sustainability come together under a single bamboo roof. KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia opens this week in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture.

Flora and Fauna Unfold in the Multi-Layered Paintings of Nana Funo

January 18, 2026 / Johnny / Comments Off

“The Phases of the Moon” (2025) by Nana Funo. All images courtesy Tomio Koyama Gallery

In her latest solo exhibition, “I Can Go There. So Can You.” at Tomio Koyama Gallery, Japanese artist Nana Funo invites viewers into a universe where memory, time, and imagination quietly intertwine. Her paintings unfold like layered narratives—images built upon hidden traces of earlier forms—suggesting worlds where past and present overlap in delicate, luminous harmony.

New Architecture Opening in Japan in 2026

January 11, 2026 / Johnny / Comments Off

We’re ringing in 2026 with a look at 6 new art and architecture projects that we’re looking forward to seeing this year. From Hakata and Kyoto to Nara and Tokyo, these hotels, museums and parks are set to transform their respective neighborhoods all across Japan.

Japanese Designer New Year’s Cards of 2026

January 4, 2026 / Johnny / Comments Off

Happy New Year of the horse! The year of the horse (uma-doshi) is said to be auspicious in Japan, not only because it represents strength, speed and energy, but because of the wordplay: umaku iku (meaning, “everything will work out”) has the word uma (horse) in it. For those reasons, 2026 can be a time for bold moves, adventure, and breaking free from old patterns. And as tradition goes, we’ve assembled a few nengajo from some of our favorite artists that features this year’s zodiac animal. We hope they will inspire everyone to have a dynamic and transformative year!

Art Collective Mé Carves Holes Into Home, Revealing Cavernous Interior

December 28, 2025 / Johnny / Comments Off

Along a narrow residential street in Kanawa, the historic heart of Beppu City known for their geothermal hot springs, is an inconspicuous 2-story home that, until recently, would have been barely noticeable. With gaping holes carved into it, the home was recently revealed as art collective Mé’s newest installation.

Art Duo Recreates Street Scenes of Tokyo Entirely from Cardboard

December 22, 2025 / Johnny / Comments Off

For over 15 years, Japanese art duo ZUGAKOUSAKU & KURIEITO have been working together, meticulously recreating ordinary environments entirely from cardboard. At an exhibition at Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, the pair turn their childlike creativity to the grimy streets of Tokyo. Specifically, Roppongi. Everything from manhole covers and tactile pavement to signage and litter on the ground have been hand-crafted from cardboard and then painted, revealing slightly off kilter worlds.

Spoon & Tamago’s Most-Popular Posts of 2025

December 21, 2025 / Johnny / Comments Off

As we near the end of 2025, we like to reflect on the stories that most captivated our readers’ attention, and as always, certain themes tend to emerge. 2025 marked the 80-year anniversary of the end of WWII. It was also a milestone year for Japan in terms of global attention. Tourism hit a record high while anime and soft power continued to see major expansion overseas.

For 18 years in a row, we continued to bring our readers stories from Japan as seen through our lens of art & design. 2025 was a year of loss, but also new beginnings. Artists continued to push old traditions and techniques into the future. From travel destinations and language-learning to reviving craftsmanship and discouraging food loss, these were the stories that mattered most to our readers.