You can now own a piece of the Den-en Toshi train line. Akasaki & Vanhuyse, a Japanese-French design studio, have created a limited-edition table lamp born from the upcycling of resin train straps from Japan’s Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line 8500 series, which was withdrawn from service in January 2023.
Around 1,400 resin ring components, originally used as train strap handles, were collected and turned into a limited edition of 150 lightings. Inspired by the white colour and the ring form of the strap handles, the table lamp was designed as a functional and long-lasting statement piece.
Each lamp incorporates 9 sandblasted rings, repurposed from those discarded straps. Rather than erasing the past, the designers preserve every scratch, dent, and patina—celebrating the areas’ unique wear as part of the lamp’s aesthetic appeal.
The lamps feature curved stainless steel legs that echo the straps’ form, artfully supporting the layered rings. Every component—from mirrored bolts to vapor-coated recyclable packaging—is selected with sustainability in mind and built for eventual disassembly and recycling.
The limited edition lamps are available online for 109,000 yen (roughly $740 usd).
Akasaki & Vanhuyse is a design studio based in Shoreditch, London, led by Japanese designer/architect Kenta Akasaki and French industrial designer Astrid Vanhuyse. Blending both perspectives, they collaborate on projects including product, tech, furniture, space, curation and research. From future vision and special projects to design for manufacture, their approach is purpose-driven and focuses on creating innovative, considered and long-lasting solutions. Some of their previous designs are also available online.
