LONDON.- Japan House opened to the public on 22 June 2018. It is the new, London home for Japanese creativity and innovation.

Japan House London provides authentic and surprising encounters with the very best in art, design, gastronomy, innovation and technology, allowing visitors a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture.

Through a wide-ranging programme, Japan House London will shine a spotlight on the artisans, craftsmen, designers, performers, musicians and other creatives who are making waves in Japan and around the world – from internationally renowned individuals to emerging artists who are excelling in their field.

Almost every aspect of Japan House London is derived “from source” in Japan; from its interior design features, such as hand-made kawara floor tiles from Japan’s Awaji Island, to the exhibitions and events, and authentic retail products sourced from across Japan.

TSURUOKA Koji, Ambassador of Japan said: “ As one of the world’s greatest and most vibrant cities, London was the natural choice to jo in São Paulo and Los Angeles for Europe’s Japan House. Londoners and visitors alike will enjoy a diverse offering of retail, cuisine, exhibitions and events in a stunning venue nestled in Kensington High Street. As the Rugby World Cup 2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic an d Paralympic Games draw the world’s attention, I hope that this ground - breaking venture will provide a new opportunity for Britons to encounter Japan, thus serving to further enhance the friendship between our two countries and peoples.”

Temporary exhibition gallery & events space
On the lower ground floor, guests to Japan House will find an exhibition gallery, events space and library, dedicated to providing an authentic encounter with Japan via a calendar of regular changing themes.

The opening exhibition is Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future, in collaboration with Tokyo’s TOTO GALLERY• MA. Seen for the first time in the UK, the exhibition explores the innovative works of one of Japan’s most influential contemporary architects, FUJIMOTO Sousuke. Linking to the London Festival of Architecture, it presents Fujimoto’s philosophical and sustainable approach to architecture, looking at current projects but also his experiments for the future.

In addition, Fujimoto also presents Architecture is Everywhere which illustrates the concept of discovering architecture within the forms of everyday objects and the serendipity of finding numerous possibilities for new architecture. Forthcoming exhibitions include; The Biology of Metal: Metal Working from Tsubame Sanjo (September – October 2018); Subtle: Takeo Paper Show (November – December 2018) directed by leading Japanese designer and overall Creative Director of the Japan House Project HARA Kenya; and Prototyping in Tokyo (January – February 2019).

New insights to appreciating books
The Library at Japan House offers a new approach to appreciate and engage with books through bookshelf exhibitions curated by HABA Yoshitaka of BACH. A book specialist in Japan, BACH is revolutionizing the way books are displayed and curated and has helped bookstores in Japan successfully champion paper books in the digital era.

The first Japan House Library exhibition, Nature of Japan (June - August) will feature original photographs by leading Japanese photographer, SUZUKI Risaku. Artworks and design products will be exhibited along with photo albums, vintage books, paintings, novels, poetry and picture books. The second library exhibition Mingei (September - November) will be themed around Japan’s mingei folk art movement that developed from the late 1920s.

Beauty & attention to detail
Japan House London appointed KATAYAMA Masamichi, Principal of Wonderwall and prominent Japanese interior designer, to create a space that would embody the aesthetic and notional concepts that Japan House is based on.

The design of the whole space can be seen as minimalistic, however, KATAYAMA meticulously designed every corner of Japan House London to accommodate and reflect the diverse range of activities it will host. A magnificent spiral staircase, spanning three levels, was built in Japan, shipped to London and assembled piece by piece, inviting guests to explore and connect the different experiences on each floor of Japan House London.