Spoon & Tamago

Ando Tadao’s Hill of Buddha

unless otherwise noted, all photographs by Shigeo Ogawa

Normally a cemetery wouldn’t be on our list of recommended sites to see, but the Makomanai Cemetery is one of the most awe-inspiring places we’ve ever been. Located in the outskirts of Sapporo, a large stone Buddha occupies the sprawling landscape. All 1500 tons of it has sat alone there for 15 years. But when the cemetery decided they wanted to do something to increase visitor’s appreciations for the Buddha, they enlisted architect Tadao Ando, who had a grand and bold idea: hide the statue.

Nature is Reclaiming Fukushima’s Abandoned Areas

August 1, 2017 / Johnny / 1 Comment

We are only guests on this planet. “In the day after humans disappear, nature takes over and immediately begins cleaning house – our houses,” wrote Alan Weisman. And that’s exactly what happened in Fukushima where, 7 years ago, residents were forced to evacuate due to the nuclear disaster that unfolded in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Exploring Japanese Hell Through Art from the 12th to 19th Century

August 1, 2017 / Johnny / 0 Comments

demons can be seen tearing people at their crotch (ouch!)

As a child, growing up in Japan, there was one book that terrified me. Luckily, I didn’t own it. The red hardback sat on the bottom shelf in my friend’s room and every time I went over to play I could see it, out of the corner of my eye, staring me in the face. Once we pulled it out and flipped through the pages; each featured a grotesquely illustrated realm of hell with scenes of fire, torture, and suffering. It was, I assure you, a children’s book. But it was made for parents to use as leverage whenever their child acted up, or misbehaved. And boy was it effective.

Yokai Sushi and Other Imaginative Illustrations of Demons

July 31, 2017 / Johnny / 0 Comments

These yokai sushi look they’re about to jump off your plate. A Japanese illustrator who goes by the pen-name Hanabiyori Tatami imagined these ghoulish creations, bringing various different types of sushi to life by imbuing them with yokai, a class of supernatural demons found in Japanese folklore.

MUJI’s Yurakucho Global Flagship Looks Like a Slice of Retail Heaven

July 28, 2017 / Johnny / 2 Comments

the re-opened location includes a vegetable/fruit market, the first of its kind for MUJI

MUJI, our favorite Japanese minimal lifestyle retailer, re-opened their global flagship store in Yurakucho, Tokyo today (July 28th) and it’s taking our breath away. If there were such a thing as retail heaven, it would probably look something like this.

Porcelain Cup & Bottle Sets Inspired by Kokeshi Dolls

July 28, 2017 / Johnny / 0 Comments

The 400-year old Japanese art of creating kokeshi dolls is a time-honored tradition that exemplifies the joy and beauty of handmade craft. These traditional wooden figurines, with an enlarged head and cylindrical body, are made from woodturning solid blocks and carving away at the wood.

Photographs of Fireflies at Night by Hiroki Ishikura

July 27, 2017 / Johnny / 0 Comments

click images to enlarge

Summer and fireflies go hand-in-hand in Japan. And during the short period of May through June, a select group of photographers venture out at dusk to secretive spots, hoping to capture the magical insects that light up the night. One of those is Hiroki Ishikura, a photographer based in Shimane Prefecture.

New Imaginary Magazine Covers for the Tokyoiter

July 26, 2017 / Johnny / 7 Comments

a stunning animated cover by waneella

The Tokyoiter (previously) continues to impress us with dazzling faux-magazine covers that showcase numerous visions of what makes Tokyo such a fascinating place. Checking their website for new covers has become one of our most enjoyable pastimes. Allow us to present several new ones from some of our favorite Japan-based illustrators.

The New Good Design Store in Tokyo

July 25, 2017 / Johnny / 0 Comments

Japan’s Good Design Awards have defined the aforementioned subject as “design which enriches life and society.” And the organization has been highlighting good design for almost 60 years since it was founded in 1957, resulting in an astounding 44,000 recognitions. Now – or rather, finally – the Good Design Awards have a physical location in Tokyo where visitors can see some of the nominees, together in a beautiful space.

TRUNK: Tokyo’s Newest Boutique Hotel

July 20, 2017 / Johnny / 0 Comments

Wrapped in a cool monotone facade and balanced out by natural touches of wood is a new boutique hotel that recently emerged in the heart of Tokyo’s Shibuya district. For those looking to take in the local culture of Shibuya, TRUNK (HOTEL) is the ideal location: slightly removed from the raucousness of Shibuya Station but well encompassed by everything the neighborhood has to offer.