Mrs. Iijima and Mr. Usuda are co-heads of Atelier Taik, a design company that does all kinds of design work with the exception of architecture. They are passionate about their jobs and often become fans of their clients’ products or services in the process. In 2012, they opened Atelier Gangu, a small shop selling and…
Making Japanese Tabi Socks Cool Again
Mr. Komatsu was not destined to work in the traditional clothing business. However, when his father-in-law needed his help to open an online shop, Mr. Komatsu discovered the world of tabi, the traditional Japanese footwear. In the following interview, he tells us about reaching a foreign audience and his projects to give more life to…
How a Frenchman Fell in Love with Japanese Antiques
Richard is a French national who has been living in Japan since 2015. At 58 years old, he is the kind of person who has lived several lives in a single life. He is the owner and cook of his own French restaurant in the Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, “le Moccot.” The restaurant’s name is…
The Pig Incense Burner and Other Cute Japanese Summer Souvenirs
Here are three typical Japanese items easy to find in the summer that are small, cute, and make perfect souvenirs. 1: The Pig Incense Burner and Mosquito Repellent During the summertime in Japan, you can smell the delightful aroma of incense burning in houses and hotels. This incense, green and spiral-shaped, is called katori senko (senko…