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Stylish Ceramic Tableware and More at Utsuwa Kenshin

Posted by Michiyo Nakamoto

Despite being the capital of a nation obsessed with ceramics and contemporary design, Tokyo hosts surprisingly few shops that specialize in contemporary ceramic ware made by artists who, rather than following a time-honored aesthetic tradition, have developed their own distinctive style. So, it is always a joy to visit Utsuwa Kenshin, a small store located halfway between Shibuya and Omotesando in Tokyo. Here, the owner, Kenshin Sato, displays a carefully curated selection of handcrafted ceramics by artists whom he has… Read more »

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Chojuan – Eating Soba Noodles in Style

Posted by Michiyo Nakamoto

Soba noodles, which are made of buckwheat, have been a favorite fast-food meal of busy Tokyoites ever since the early days of the bustling capital, in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was still known as Edo. Today, time-pressed diners in Tokyo can still duck into one of many soba stands found all over the city, slurp their noodles at the counter and be gone within minutes. But those who prefer to eat their soba in a more relaxed… Read more »

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In Search of Autumn’s Fiery Palette

Posted by Michiyo Nakamoto

Admiring nature’s colorful transformation in the fall is a time-honored ritual in Japan that draws crowds from far and wide to distant mountainsides, hidden valleys and traditional gardens famed for their fiery autumnal palettes. While Kyoto is, without doubt, everyone’s favorite spot for enjoying fall foliage, there are plenty of other less crowded sites that offer the chance to be mesmerized by the myriad hues of yellow, orange, red and brown that make autumn such a special time in Japan…. Read more »

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Zakka – last chance to delve into “goods and things”

Posted by Gwen Robinson

The first thing to catch the eye when you walk into the extraordinary Zakka exhibition at 21_21 Design Sight is the stylized sign bearing the English translation of “zakka” as “goods and things.” What is a “good” and what is a “thing?” I wondered. In the end, this wide-ranging exhibit of retro-paraphernalia, contemporary design, with displays of everything from six-decades old cardboard packaging for toothpaste tubes and mosquito coils, plastic ice cream spoons (yes, really – my main thought was, who… Read more »

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Autumn in Oyama

Posted by Mineko Matsuda

Oyama （丹沢:大山), which is part of the Tanzawa mountain range, has splendid hiking trails and mountain views,  even though it is only a 2-hour trip from central Tokyo. The area is famous for its tofu dishes, pure water and colorful spinning tops.  But the best reasons to go there are the spectacular views from the mountain top  and the natural beauty that each season offers. Experienced hikers will enjoy the men’s trail（男坂), while intermediate hikers should opt for the women’s trail （女坂)…. Read more »