The Japan Society invited me to review The Japanese House, Since 1945 – by Naomi Pollock, these are my impressions.

A blissful few days of peace and quiet, walking, good food and air and even better conversations.

On my last visit to Japan I wanted to stay in an area I have long enjoyed and explored but not stayed in – Kiyosumi Shirakawa.

While staying in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, I met Chiho Sasaki. We were colleagues at IDEO San Francisco in the late-90’s and have been good friends ever since.

Here I talk about a recent project doing consumer observational research in Japan, how it differs to the same in the West and what I love about it.

The Jimny is a utility vehicle designed for rural life, but is also a favourite of fashionable urbanites. Here I explain why I think its a Design Icon.

Japanese Kissaten (traditional coffee shops) are all but disappearing in Japan, here is my experience visiting Cafe Don in Hida Takayama.

Does Made in Japan still matter ? I just spent the month of February 2023 in Japan, here is my perspective of whats happening in Japanese business post-Covid.

“What colour is Japan. Is it red like the prominent circle of the Japanese flag, or the outlined lips and eyes of a geisha against her white foundation,

I have spent many hours observing the bathing habits of ordinary Japanese people, here I look at how they are different to the West for Take on Japan

Just what, I hear you ask, is the magnetic pull of the Japanese Convenience store or Konbini as they are known ?

The Japan Society invited me to review Designing Modern Japan – by Professor Sarah Teasley, these are my impressions.

If like me you have an appetite for exploring all things related to Japanese design and crafts, Irwin Wong’s introduction to Handmade in Japan will surely prompt you to investigate further

The Japan Society invited me to review NUNO – Visionary Japanese Textiles by Reiko Sudo, these are my impressions.

You are confronted with an incredibly small towel (like a big handkerchief) to cover your modesty – well, just.

I finally got around to making a Hanko to brand my photos of Japan. So what is a Hanko and why does it matter in Japan ?

Edo means estuary and is the old name for Tokyo. During the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from early 1600’s to late 1800’s. Edo was a thriving, bustling and most likely dangerous place.

Only a few stops from Akihabara or Ueno on the Yamanote line Nippori station is a typical suburb of Tokyo. Or for that matter any Japanese major city.

In the many years I have been visiting Japanese Konbini the improvement in the design of the home brand products has been huge.

I take a deep dive into consumer electronic retailing in Japan for ‘Take on Japan’ – heres what I found.