The Kaki Flower Vase was born from the simple idea of wanting to create a flower vase that could be attached to windows. But how do you create an object for a window without significantly obstructing the view? The result was a translucent sheet and bubble of water that creates the illusion of a levitating bouquet of flowers.
For the past 7 years Tatsuya Tanaka has been creating miniature dioramas out of everyday objects one might find around the house. Paired with miniature figurines, his scenes dramatically and humorously come to life.
the facade of the planned MUJI Hotel in Ginza, opening Spring 2018
MUJI, our favorite minimal lifestyle retailer, announced plans to open Japan’s first MUJI Hotel in Ginza. The Hotel will be housed within a new building being jointly-developed by Mitsui Fudosan and Yomiuri Shimbun and will open in the Spring of 2019.
That disappointment when you spot a fancy cafe but it turns out to be a beauty salon.
A Japanese illustrator who goes by the pseudonym Yamada Zenjidou, creates these simple yet adorable illustrations that we can’t get enough of. Each are drawn in a style inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints and feature an anachronistic setting: men and women seemingly from an ancient time, engaged in incredibly relatable moments of modern everyday life.
You may have seen Japanese illustrator Mizumaru Kawahara and his comical-style illustrations on Japanese magazine covers, or illustrated film reviews. He also illustrated the book Young Adult U.S.A. and is a self-proclaimed Star Wars fan. So it was only appropriate that he created this adorable and playful tribute to the U.S.A on the 4th of July.
Happy Independence Day!
Sit down in front of a large screen, dim the lights and turn the sound up. Then, dive into DERIVE, a visual project by Tokyo-based art director Cody Ellingham.
Special Favorite Music is a 7-piece Japanese indie band that blends elements of folk and bluegrass (and sometimes even soul and R&B) to create upbeat pop. If you’ve got a soft spot for big band sound, Special Favorite Music is a great way to kick off Monday.
Maekake are a type of Japanese apron that, for hundreds of years, have been favored by the working men and women of rice shops, sake shops, miso shops and other stores that dot Japan’s many shopping streets. They’re typically made from indigo-dyed cotton canvas and feature a thick belt that wraps all the way around the waist and then tied in the front.
Daijuuji Park in Aichi (Map)
In 2005 Kito Fujio quit his job as an office worker and became a freelance photographer. And for the last 12 years he’s been exploring various overlooked pockets of Japan like the rooftops of department stores, which typically have games and rides to entertain children while their parents are shopping. More recently, he’s taken notice of the many interesting cement-molded play equipment that dots playgrounds around Japan.
For years Westerners have experimented with wearing traditional Japanese clothing like the kimono and jinbei. The results have, at best, been mixed. Let’s just say that it takes a certain type of non-Japanese man or women to wear a kimono without looking out of place. I for one, have never even felt the urge to try, that is until my recent encounter with the T-Kimono.
OrySnack: The Bar Where Bartenders Work From Home
Winners of Japan’s 2027 Packaging Design Awards
Tokyo is Gearing Up for an Art-Filled Fall. And the Entire City is Here for It
Japanese Aquarium Drops 2026 Version of Flowchart Illustrating Their Penguin Relationships. This Year There’s an English Version.
Japanese Craftsmanship Meets Pokemon at Kanazawa’s National Crafts Museum
