A century-old Higashiyama residence, renovated by Kooo Architects, becomes the first property under the Kiraku Tei villa brand — its interiors marked by Juraku plaster, hinoki cypress and natural light

On Naoshima island, Tadao Ando’s latest museum emerges from the hillside like a modernist temple

A concrete dwelling, designed by the late Japanese architect Yasuhisa Ota and now home to a photographer and a designer, is almost entirely hidden by nature

A new exhibition, presented by Chanel and creative hub le19M, is now open in Tokyo, unravelling a timeless dialogue between Japanese and French craft

The longstanding symbol of Japan’s post-war creative resurgence is at risk of being demolished, but a campaign to save it is gathering pace

With growing international interest and a series of high-profile collaborations, craft and heritage remain at the heart of Kojima Shoten, the Kyoto lantern workshop whose history dates back to the late 18th century.

Cult favourite Issey Miyake presents a new multisensory exhibition, Savor Water, Embracing Water, across its Tokyo and Kyoto galleries. Sensory and abstract, the exhibition is designed by Teruhiro Yanagihara and explores how water connects food, clothing, shelter and more

Reviving the spirit of its 1966 predecessor, the newly opened Ginza Sony Park redefines the public park as a fluid, multi-level space for art, culture and community in the heart of Tokyo’s Ginza district

For those seeking a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and crafts, Maana Atelier in Kyoto offers experiential workshops held in a serene century-old space designed by architecture firm Sahena Design and local artisans

This new hotel in Kurashiki in western Japan is a haven of modern craft, contemporary design and timeless aesthetics rooted in location

New Japanese brand Centre makes its debut with an elegant foldable table that speaks to the founders’ philosophies of connection, freedom and flexibility

We spend a day with legendary product designer Naoto Fukasawa in his Tokyo home and studio space

We round up some of the highlights of Designart Tokyo, which runs from 20 to 29 October and is the biggest edition of the festival to date, with more than 100 exhibitions scheduled across the city

A new work by Greece- and New York-based Objects of Common Interest interpolates the artist’s longstanding Greek inspiration

Designed by Klein Dytham architecture (KDa), Tokyo’s toggle hotel suidobashi is a colour lover’s dream amid a quintessentially Tokyo cityscape

The first property of the new brand co-founded by Adrian Zecha, Azumi Setoda is a contemporary ryokan on the small island of Ikuchijima in the Seto Inland Sea, designed by Kyoto architect Shiro Miura in a restored historic compound

Making its home in Maebashi’s former Shiroiya Ryokan, SHIROIYA HOTEL has recently opened following an extensive renovation overseen by architect Sou Fujimoto, who designed the art- and design-focused hotel to become ‘the city’s living room’

The newly opened Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon — the brand’s first Japan outpost — has all the trappings for which founder Ian Schrager has come to be known, combined with the minimal and contemplative touches of renowned architect Kengo Kuma

A rich palette of organic textures and colours characterises porcelain brand 1616 / arita japan’s new flagship store, designed by Teruhiro Yanagihara to reflect the brand’s fusion of precise craft and beautiful natural materials

Stable COVID-19 rates and a scattered format convinced the Designart organisers to go ahead with this year’s event, placing Tokyo in the creative spotlight. Dozens of exhibitions and product launches (many originally scheduled for Milan) took place across 70 sites — here we round up some of the highlights