Spoon & Tamago

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Tsumamigui: A New Sushi Shop in Tokyo Wants to Fill the Gap Between High and Low End

tsumamigui, the new nendo-designed sushi shop in Tokyo | photos by Akihiro Yoshida (products) and Jimmy Cohrssen (space)

If you want sushi in Japan you’ve got kaiten-zushi on the low end, the conveyor belt sushi that circles around and you pick out what you want. If you want a more authentic experience there are also plenty sushiya, a shop typically comprised of tables and a counter where a sushi chef will slice the fish on the spot. It’s better quality but it also comes with a hefty price. Now, a new type of sushi shop want to fill the void between the two.

Narita Airport’s New Toilet Gallery is a Museum for Bathrooms

April 25, 2015 / Johnny / 1 Comment

TOTO’s new toilet gallery at Narita Airport | click images to enlarge

It’s no secret that Japan has some of the most advanced toilets in the world. They respond to your voice, they heat your bum and, of course, they wash you. But convincing the rest of the world to equip their homes with washlets has been a difficult task. The hefty price tag is one thing but an even greater barrier seems to be simply cultural differences.

So to overcome these differences TOTO, the largest toilet manufacturer in Japan (and the world!) decided to place a toilet gallery in the first place foreigners come to when they visit Japan: the airport.

Quiksilver Japan Develops Business Suit Wetsuits For the Board Room or the Beach

April 24, 2015 / Johnny / 7 Comments

the True Wetsuit is a business suit and wetsuit

You’ve heard of Cool Biz right? The Japanese government’s initiative to conserve energy by encouraging their labor force to dress down? Well meet Surf Biz. Developed by the team at Quiksilver Japan, True Wetsuits are high spec waterproof wetsuits that “can be worn from home, to the beach, and from the beach to the office with no need to change at all.”

Japan’s Latest Shopping Mall Wants To Keep You in Shape as You Shop

April 23, 2015 / Johnny / 1 Comment

Dubbed as Japan’s 1st runnable shopping center, the Morinomiya Q’s Mall will open its doors to shoppers and runners alike next week on April 27, 2015. Inheriting the legacy of it’s original site, the now-defunct Nissay baseball stadium in Osaka, Q’s Mall boasts a 300 meter running track that sits atop the mall. The AirTrack will have 3 different lanes and will be free for anyone to use.

Kumu: A New Gallery in Tokyo To Showcase Craftsmanship From Around Japan

April 22, 2015 / Johnny / Comments Off

Kumu (written 組む, in Japanese) means to connect or unite. And it’s the name of Noriko Konuma’s new gallery space nestled in the Bakurocho neighborhood Northeast of central Tokyo. True to their name, the retail and workshop space is meant to function as a small village where like-minded individuals from all over the world can come together.

la kagu: an Old Book Warehouse in Tokyo Renovated Into a Multipurpose Space

April 20, 2015 / Johnny / Comments Off

photos by Keishin Horikoshi / SS Tokyo courtesy kkaa | click to enlarge

the old book warehouse

The Shinchosha publishing company has maintained a warehouse in the Kagurazaka neighborhood of Tokyo for the last 50 years. But feeling a need to better utilize the space and, more importantly, involve the local community, the publisher decided to renovate the building and turn it into a multi-purpose space that functions not only as a café and lifestyle shop but also as a community space for lectures and workshops.

Shinchosha hired architect Kengo Kuma, a long-term resident of the neighborhood to spearhead their vision. La kagu opened late last year.

Hidakuma: a new initiative to promote the craftsmanship and woods of Hida

April 20, 2015 / Johnny / Comments Off

the new branding and identity for Hidakuma (Creative Director: Shoma Terai, Designer: Atsushi Honda, Illustrator: Toshiki Nonaka)

It’s rare to hear the words “investments” and “forests” mentioned in the same sentence. But that’s exactly what happened earlier this month when 3 organizations announced a joint-collaboration to promote the woods and craftsmanship of Hida.

The northernmost city of Gifu, over 90% of Hida is occupied by heavy forestation. But with older generations left without successors the forests are at risk of falling into disrepair. And local woodworking techniques like kumiki face being forgotten. What they needed was a sustainable strategy to maintain the usage of Hida’s rich resource and “the forests represent an investment in our future,” proclaimed the city of Hida.

Tetchan: An Edgy Yakitori Shop in Kichijoji Made From Recycled LAN Cables and Acrylic Byproducts

April 18, 2015 / Johnny / 2 Comments

unless otherwise noted, all phots by Erieta Attali | click to enlarge

photo by chuo104

Kichijoji is a suburb in Western Tokyo that’s gained popularity in recent years for its hip boutiques, convenient department stores and large park. (The author grew up in the neighborhood, which earns it extra brownie points)

A unique feature of Kichijoji is Harmonica Yokocho, a retro-style stretch of tiny shops, eateries and bars. There, one of the most popular spots with locals is Tetchan, a yakitori (grilled, skewered chicken) shop that recently underwent a vibrant facelift.

A Roundup of Japanese Design at the 2015 Milano Salone

April 15, 2015 / Johnny / 1 Comment

It’s that time of year again: Milano Salone, often simply referred to as Milan Design Week. Each year we cover various Japanese designers who are showcasing new work. But this year feels like Japan – from solo exhibitions to behind-the-scenes staging – has a larger presence than usual.

So we thought we would round up all the Japanese design that’s on display this year. We’ll be posting individual items of particular interest but here you’ll find it all: everything from inflatable bonsai to groundbreaking toothbrush technology.

Mato Ryoko: Matryoshka Nesting Doll Hides a Bikini Girl

April 15, 2015 / Johnny / Comments Off

Borrowing from the concept and technique of Russian matryoshka nesting dolls, designer Masahiko Yoshihara has created a doll with a surprise inside. Mato Ryoko appear to be a regular peasant girl but when the top comes off there’s a bikini-clad woman inside.

“A person’s outer appearance, words, reputation and position gives us preconceptions, and we often fail to see the essence (the middle) of a person,” says Yoshihara. “This shape-transforming figure expresses that situation.”

He designed the doll in hopes that we can be more aware of how we perceive people and focus on the essence rather than external appearances. Yoshihara’s design won the excellence prize at a Tokyo Midtown Design Awards 2 years ago. It’s now part of a self-titled exhibition at Milano Salone.