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Opened in 2023, this café is a place where you can experience the beauty of Japanese culture, technology, and tradition in a unique space that combines Japanese tradition and modernity. We have long paid attention to its special appearance, which stands out even on Kotto-dori, a street with many cafes, because of its location near Minami-Aoyama 5-chome and the headquarters of GARDE.

The key visual bonsai is created by Teppei Kojima ( https://www.instagram.com/teppei_kojima501/ ) of TRADMAN’S BONSAI, a group of bonsai artists with a passionate fan base in Japan and abroad.

Through the four seasons and food culture of Japan, the cafe aim to contribute to society by promoting transparency of producers and production processes, raising awareness of “food safety,” “self-sufficiency,” and “climate change,” and through sustainable initiatives to solve common global problems.

The adjoining Ark Gallery offers a variety of cultural experiences, including workshops and exhibits and sales of bonsai, contemporary art, pottery, and other items.  Multi-lingual staff members are on hand to provide cultural experiences to inbound visitors.

Matsubaya Saryo Hakobune Gallery
Opening date: December 2, 2023
Business hours: 10:00-
Closed: irregular closing schedule
Address: Barizon104 1F, 5-4-27 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matsubayasaryo/

For further information, please click the following link:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000132679.html

Image Credit: Matsubaya Saryo Hakobune Gallery

A fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian influences creates a style colloquially referred to as “Japandi.”  A quick search on Pinterest or Instagram alone will prove how popular this term and style are becoming. There are 500k (and growing) example posts to choose from.

Ever since the pandemic in 2020, there has been a growing interest in home design and private spaces. Combined with the stress of technological advancement which overwhelmingly surrounds us, this led to a renewed appreciation of simplicity.

In this cultural environment, Japandi seems to be the answer for many interior lovers. The trend has received attention in the US from international fashion magazines, with Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner taking to the internet to show off her japandi kitchen. An American fashion and lifestyle magazine explains the Japandi style as “a merging of two historic ‘less-is-more’ cultures (…) It is about creating uncluttered spaces accented with functional objects like vases and mugs over decorative ones. Natural light, too, is prioritized.”

Despite the trend having risen mostly outside of Japan, domestic furniture and lifestyle stores were also quick to pick up on it and make the trend their own by recommending new furniture accordingly. It’s easy to recognize the common values in Japanese and Scandinavian lifestyles, which see depth in modesty (think neutral color palettes such as beige), as well as comfort in natural materials (think wood, stone, and bamboo).

The Japanese and the Scandinavian philosophies with their roots in simplicity seem to merge effortlessly in this trend: the “wabi-sabi” in Japan and “hygge” in Scandinavian, have been part of people’s lives for centuries, and it is predicted many more to come.

Photo: Don Kaveen

In 2018 , the Nippon Foundation collaborated with Shibuya City and its Tourism Association to launch “The Tokyo Toilet.”

The project, which has since attracted a lot of media attention, domestic and international alike, aims to eliminate the negative stigma of public toilets and realize a society that recognizes a diversity of users.

17 Public Toilet Renovation Projects in Shibuya City

Since its start, they have renovated 17 public toilets in Shibuya City. 16 world-renowned architects and designers participated, challenged to solve social problems with their creative power, improving the toilet’s maintenance as well. To know more about the projects’ philosophy, we recommend you view this cinematic advertisement.

“The Tokyo Toilet” Inspired Award-winning Feature Film “Perfect Days”

German filmmaker Wim Wenders was also invited to Tokyo to take a look at the uniqueness of each facility. First introduced to this project by Koji Yanai, president of Fast Retailing, Wenders imagined a feature film, co-written by Takuma Takasaki and starring Yakusho Kōji, who won best actor at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival for his lead role in “Perfect Days”.

In Japan, it’s long been important to always keep toilets clean, to the point they’ve come to represent the symbol of Japan’s world-class “omotenashi” hospitality culture.

The Importance of Improving Quality of Life Through Inclusive Design

In Japan, toilets are ubiquitous. However, due to the stereotype that many public toilets are dark, dirty and smelly, people’s use has been limited. Since the renovations, it was reported in a survey conducted by Nippon Foundation that the project is having its effect, improving the image of public toilets.

Compared to before the restrooms were renovated, use of the Public Toilets have increased sevenfold and fivefold in two locations, while the number of people voicing aversion to public toilets shrank from some 30% to a mere 3%.

The hope of Nippon Foundation is that access to attractive and clean public toilets will boost the image of surrounding areas, with the facilities becoming tourist attractions in their own right.

Our hope as designers is to have succeeded in shedding some light on how important public design for public spaces is, and the positive effect that it can have on society, always keeping in mind the users first and foremost.

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Photo: Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
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THE TOKYO TOILET
This project by The Nippon Foundation aims for the realization of a society where all kinds of diversity are accepted, by building public toilets. With the full cooperation of Shibuya city, 17 toilets that are accessible for anyone regardless of gender, age, or disability will be created. Through the power of design and the creativity of 16 creators who support the objectives of this project, The Nippon Foundation is demonstrating what this new society can achieve. The toilets will be constructed by DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO., LTD., and TOTO LTD. will advise on toilet equipment and layout.