All images courtesy of Nakamura Ippan | used with permission
Nakamura Ippan, a non-binary artist known for their web comic series ‘Jimocoro‘ and ‘Minna no Gohan‘, held their first solo exhibition last month in Tokyo. Art enthusiasts had the opportunity to witness Nakamura’s artistic brilliance firsthand at their exhibition titled ‘Love’, held at HB Gallery in Omotesando.
Continue reading
the winning photograph of the Koumi Line photo contest
There are numerous tiny train lines across Japan that are a dying breed. One of those is the Koumi Line, which connects Kobuchizawa Station in Yamanashi with Komoro Station in Nagano. The picturesque line, despite its views of mountains and rolling rice paddies, has been a victim of urbanization and depopulation particularly in rural areas of Japan. In an attempt to boost ridership and make up their budget deficit, the train has turned its advertisement space into a photo gallery and is hosting an in-car photo exhibition of the train submitted by users and train enthusiasts.
Continue reading
photo by teerayut hiruntaraporn
Japan’s cherry blossoms usually get all the attention for their short-lived beauty. But equally ephemeral are Japan’s Nemophila, or Baby Blue Eyes. And once a year, around late April to Early May, an astounding sea of 5.3 million of these little flowers cover the land for a little over a week. If you missed the cherry blossoms you can still catch these.
Continue reading
These acrylic manga sound effects are the perfect item to introduce some comical playfulness into your room or office. Need to drop off a stack of documents for your coworker to review? The ドーン sound effect accentuates the weight and intimidation of the pile. Want to show off you collection of comics? Use the ジャーン to dial up that “ta-daa” element.
Continue reading
All images ©Kotaro Tanaka courtesy OEO Studio
OEO Studio, a Copenhagen-based design firm, has recently completed the interiors of Noma Kyoto, a pop-up dining in Japan in collaboration with Ace Hotel. The 250 sqm existing dining space has been transformed under the guidance of stylist Christine Rudolph to create a truly unique and immersive experience that’s open to the culinary curious from March 15 to May 20, 2023.
Continue reading
many thanks to Sakuraco for sponsoring Spoon & Tamago this week!
Sakuraco is a monthly subscription box with an emphasis on Japan’s tradition of tea and wagashi. Each month subscribers receive a specially-curated and seasonally appropriate assortment of authentic snacks. But it’s not just about the food. With the arrival of each box, Sakuraco offers an opportunity to slow down; to connect with the roots of Japanese snack and afternoon tea culture.
Founded in 2015 by Tokyo native Ayumi Chikamoto, Sakuraco works directly with local makers and communities to bring you premium, authentic wagashi with seasonality and tea pairing in mind. Give yourself, or someone you know, the gift of Japanese tea time with Sakuraco.
photos by Katsuhiro Aoki courtesy Same Picture Company
For all that’s written and said about the difficulty of starting a business in Japan, there is one exception. The country’s lax zoning laws make it particularly easy to convert a section of your home into a cafe or eatery. Case in point: Breeze Bird Cafe & Bakery in Kamakura, a 2-family home ideally located right next to the Wadazuka train station along the quaint Enoden line.
Continue reading
Bonsai, as we all know, is the Japanese art of growing miniature trees. Some bonsai trees are hundreds of years old while the technique itself is thousands. The art form has inspired other genres from painting to contemporary installation. But its latest iteration reimagines ordinary household vegetables as miniature bonsai toys.
Continue reading
photos by Yosuke Ohtake courtesy Sauna Ikitai
Saunas have been picking up steam in Japan for the last several years. From immersive art saunas to in-home saunas, the cottage industry has seen numerous innovations to make the hot and steamy experience accessible to all. One of the latest initiatives combines sustainability with saunas by refurbishing out-of-service public buses and transforming them into mobile saunas that can travel Japan.
Continue reading
many thanks to Tokyo Treat for sponsoring Spoon & Tamago this week!
Want to feel like you just went on a shopping spree at the local conbini? That’s how we felt when our latest Tokyo Treat snack box arrived at our doorstep. From sweet to salty, these curated boxes, which are meticulously assembled and filled to the brim, are an awesome way to sample everything that Japan’s snack-makers have to offer.
Continue reading
OrySnack: The Bar Where Bartenders Work From Home
Tokyo is Gearing Up for an Art-Filled Fall. And the Entire City is Here for It
Winners of Japan’s 2027 Packaging Design Awards
Japanese Aquarium Drops 2026 Version of Flowchart Illustrating Their Penguin Relationships. This Year There’s an English Version.
Kirie Artist Carves Playful Narratives Into Tree Leaves
