Tag Archives: japan

The Tokyo Toilet’s newest installation brings a pixelated light show

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The Tokyo Toilet is an interesting project that launched back in Shibuya, aiming to create 17 different functional installations all over the city. They wanted to turn public toilets into unique facilities and experiences and they involved some of the most renowned architects and designers to take part. There have been some pretty remarkable things launched already including the all-glass see-through ones at the Yoyogi Fukamachi Minipark and Haru no Ogawa Community Park and the octopus or squid-looking one at the Ebisu East Park.

Designer: Tomohito Ushiro

The latest one to be launched for The Tokyo Toilet is located in Hiroo Higashi Park, a space in a residential area in Shibuya. What makes this public restroom interesting is that at night, you get to see a light show on its exterior. In fact, he programmed 7.9 billion different lighting patterns, representing the current estimated population. So this means each person can see different “shows” and they will not see the same pattern at all, representing the fact that we are the same and yet different.

The design of the structure itself looks like the restrooms in public swimming pools with its clean interior fixtures and a combination of white and steel colors for its exteriors. At the back, you see a glass exterior that houses the light panel. The real show begins once it’s dark enough and we start seeing the lighting patterns through its pixelated glow. He was inspired by the nature and greenery that surrounds the park, like the light that filters through the trees or the moon’s reflection at night.

During the day, the public toilet looks like a simple, minimalist restroom. It has two universal toilets inside that have an ostomate-friendly system and a diaper-changing station. Aside from actually using the restroom, the art installation feel at dusk or evening will be the thing that you’d want to see if ever you’re in the area. It will probably look weird for you to stand outside a public toilet but there will probably be other weirdos there with you looking at the light show.

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This peculiar furniture set gives styrofoam a new home inside yours

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The way our brain works, we become almost numb and blind to the most mundane things that we see every day. It’s a survival tactic that prevents our brains from blowing up at every external stimulus. For example, we easily take styrofoam for granted in whatever form it comes in, be it large slabs or tiny balls, because they’re easy to ignore in all the packaging, cups, and containers that we see day in and day out. These synthetic objects, however, obviously have a negative impact on the environment, and the measures taken to reduce that ironically still stress both natural and human resources. That’s why these pieces of furniture try to nip the problem in the bud by giving styrofoam a new purpose inside or outside your home without having to travel far from where they’re taken.

Designers: we+

Styrofoam, by nature, is not only non-biodegradable but also potentially harmful to our own health, which makes its use as food and beverage containers sound almost ironic. The good news is that styrofoam can actually be transformed into materials for recycled plastic products after they have been melted and treated, presuming they’re even disposed of properly. The bad news is that these materials are often sent to other countries, which makes the entire process inefficient, wasteful, and still harmful to the environment in the long run.

Japan, for example, often exports styrofoam melted into ingots only to have those become the foundations for products bought in bargain stores. Rather than going through that roundabout and expensive process, Refoam starts and ends in Japan, right where the styrofoam is melted. This recycled goo is then immediately used to build up structures with unique textures and surfaces. Structures that can become tables, chairs, and furniture that will give any space a distinct look.

Whether from near or from a distance, it’s easy to see that any piece of Refoam furniture has a unique and almost odd aesthetic. It’s like a cross between cracked concrete and molten lava that has been cooled after it was given shape. Given the process involved in melting pieces of styrofoam and placing the resulting goo into molds to cool, that’s a rather accurate representation.

The Refoam series’ rocky appearance makes it almost perfect for outdoor use, but it can still fit in some interior motifs, particularly those aiming for cold, earthy tones. More importantly, however, it provides not only a more sustainable process for recycling styrofoam waste but also gives the material new value, even in its raw, melted form.

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This cocoon-shaped hotel in Japan brings the mountain & agricultural life to you

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Situated upon a mortar-shaped hill in Kurkku Fields of Kizarazu City, Chiba Prefecture in Japan is ‘Villa Cocoon’. Villa Cocoon brings mountain and agricultural living to the guests of the hotel and invites them to live such a life for the duration of their stay. The hotel draws inspiration from the concept of ‘cocoons’, within which butterflies and moths stay for a few days, and then come out completely bloomed with stunning wings. The same concept was applied to the hotel, wherein guests are encouraged to come, stay, and rejuvenate themselves with the simple mountain and agricultural life.

Designer: Takato Yoshida of ikken

The property consists of expanses of beautiful greenery which is sparsed with six cocoon-shaped rooms that occupy a small amount of space. The rooms are surrounded by trees, shrubs, plants, and different types of vegetation. The guest rooms are further connected to a restaurant, a kitchen lounge, and a sauna, which function as common areas wherein the guests can interact and connect with each other. The interiors of the room feature massive windows which provide an almost canvas-like view of the surroundings, truly giving a picture-perfect visual to the eyes! White walls and wooden furniture accentuate the minimal aura of the room, while the balcony curves outwards to give the room its cocoon-like shape.

The exciting part about Villa Cocoon is that the guests can harvest their own food! The guests are welcome to search for their own food, by picking and gathering the ingredients that grow on the agricultural site. They are also encouraged to cook their own meals using the ingredients they harvested. Of course, for those who don’t know how to cook or don’t want to cook on vacation, there’s a pretty cafe where light meals are served throughout the day. The guests can also visit the restaurant where the local produce from the mountains is used to prepare dishes.

The kitchen is highlighted by a long island which is accompanied by tall chairs. It forms a single line, which creates a communal space that is great to connect with one another in. Impressive windows mark the kitchen lounge, providing guests with a view of swaying native trees as they enjoy their meals.

After a sumptuous and organic meal, the guests can stop by the Finnish sauna, to unwind and burn some calories. Villa Cocoon will open on November 24th, 2022. Mark the date, in case you’re planning to visit!

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This tiny Japanese Sakura puzzle provides a difficult challenge with its 0.004mm precision design

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There are different kinds of puzzles for different purposes. Some exercise the mind by challenging our mental faculties, while others are meant to help while away the time in a relaxing manner. There are also puzzles that reward their players with interesting art pieces that they can exhibit with pride on walls or on shelves. Of course, a puzzle can be all of those, providing good exercise for the brain while promising a beautiful display in the end. This hit puzzle from Japan does that and more because not only is the final result a stunning piece of art, each puzzle piece itself is a beautiful testament to creative design and quality craftsmanship.

Designer: Iwai Press

Click Here to Buy Now: $269 $299 ($30 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Oct 27th.

There are many things that people will immediately associate with Japan and its culture, a long list that includes sushi, manga and anime, giant robots, samurai, and ninjas. There are, however, also things in nature that call to mind the Japanese spirit, like the smooth slopes of Mt. Fuji or the gentle curves of flowers like cherry and plum blossoms. The latter, especially sakura or cherry blossoms, have become almost representative of Japan, and now you can keep such a beautiful flower on your desk without worrying about it ever wilting away.

ZIREL is a new kind of puzzle hailing from Japan that will really test your patience but reward your tenacity. Unlike a typical puzzle where each piece is visually unique and has clear marks on what it’s connected to, many pieces of this puzzle look almost so identical that you might presume you can simply interchange them. You might be shocked or even frustrated to learn that each part actually has minute differences and has its own specific place, and the discovery of its position might almost feel like reaching enlightenment.

Some people say good things come to those who wait, and that’s definitely the case for this puzzle. Presuming, of course, you’re actually solving it rather than expecting it to magically solve itself after staring at it for hours. Once all the metal pieces slide into place, you are left with a beautiful Sakura (cherry blossom) or Ume (plum blossom) cast in stainless steel with a mirror finish. Thanks to extremely small gaps of 0.004mm, you won’t even see lines that will mar the beauty of these floral art pieces. Feel free to place them on your desk as a gorgeous paperweight or make them stand proudly atop a table or shelf. After hours of hard work, you definitely deserve the gloat.

Beyond the charm of the finished puzzle, each piece is designed with Japanese ingenuity and craftsmanship. Despite their hard metal surfaces, the pieces effortlessly slide into each other when you have discovered their correct place. Acute attention to detail and disciplined quality control ensures that each piece has the highest quality, resulting in a whole that is just as great as the sum of its parts. Challenging, satisfying, and rewarding, this all-metal puzzle can help keep your mind sharp while also providing a feast for the eyes on your desk or shelf.

Click Here to Buy Now: $269 $299 ($30 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Oct 27th.

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Feel like a ninja master in the kitchen with these black kitchen knives

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When you’re cutting and slicing through ingredients for your next dish, what your knife looks like might be the least of your concerns as long as it’s sharp and effective. Expert (and not to mention well-funded) chefs might have their favorite set of knives that are almost always on display because of their looks, but most people probably don’t have access to such exquisite tools, mostly because most kitchen knives aren’t exactly designed to look elegant. It’s almost as if there was a dichotomy between function and design, and you only had to choose one or the other. That isn’t the case, of course, and these handsome kitchen knives prove that you can have a sharp cutting edge with sharp looks to go along with it.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 $99 (20% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Oct 20th.

Since kitchen knives always get stained and dirty, some people probably don’t care about how they look as long as they get the job done. That kind of mentality has been pervasive in many industries but is also slowly changing to become more conscious about design and aesthetics. With many tools for office and crafts becoming more visually appealing, it’s really only a matter of time before the humble kitchen knife gets its time in the spotlight.

NiNJA’s fashionable kitchen knives are definitely attention-grabbing, particularly because of their black blades. A color that has always been associated with looking smart and sophisticated, it gives the knives a simple yet effective upgrade when it comes to looking cool and modern. There is almost no other embellishment on the blade other than the discreet “i” logo, removing any potential distraction. Like a ninja hiding in the shadows or a secret agent in a black suit, these knives stealthily move in for the kill, cutting ingredients with precision and grace.

The dark knives aren’t just for show, of course. The blades are made of molybdenum vanadium steel, known for its highly durable sharpness, and is coated with titanium for increased wear resistance. The knives are made in Seki in Japan, a city steeped in Japanese sword crafting tradition and is one of the world’s knife manufacturers. Unlike mass-produced kitchen knives, however, each blade from this collection is made one by one by an experienced craftsman, delivering a higher level of quality than what you’d see and experience from dull-looking knives.

Whether you’re cutting meat with the Santoku, rock chopping with the Gyuto, or peeling vegetables with the Petty, these dark knives will allow you to slice through food prep like a master swordsman. And whether you’re still in the middle of your fancy hand movements or have finished cleaning up and setting aside your weapons, these stylish blades will definitely make you the center of attention and envy of others with sharp but boring cutting tools.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 $99 (20% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Oct 20th.

The post Feel like a ninja master in the kitchen with these black kitchen knives first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Japanese rack attaches to your bed, putting your clothes in easy reach for couch potatoes

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All that the gamers are left to do is, get up to take a dump; for everything else, Bauhutte has all the bases covered. After giving gamers a reason to laze around doing nothing with the Electric Gaming Bed, the Japanese company is now making sure you can have your wardrobe around the bed. That’s like a miraculous intervention, not just for the gaming side of things, but for everyday office/school goers, who can get back home and drape their wear on the hangers retrofitted to the bed.

The interesting concept brought to light is the Bed Hanger Rack, which as the name suggests, is an extension of the open cupboard concept. It attaches to the bed and offers space to hang clothes and racks to stuff smartphones, remotes, game consoles, and other accessories you’d want handy while in bed.

Designer: Bauhutte

Click Here to Buy Now!

In addition to the hanging storage and shelving extensions, the hanger rack gets slightly more interesting with its assembly: possible to match the layout of your room. The rack can be installed alongside the shorter front or the longer side of the bed; so that it can attach without having to change the placement of the existing bed. The effective usage of the space above the bed permits you to effortlessly store everyday wear on hangers around the bed; so you skip the trouble of folding and sorting the clothes in a regular cupboard.

For someone like me, this option to keep the room neat and tidy without having clothes lying everywhere works as a miracle. It would definitely make the whole process of clothes management efficient and convenient. My chairs and couches can breathe in some fresh air!

Provided with an adjuster to install the rack horizontally, if you may; the rack can be assembled in two ways. You can assemble it on three legs to manage up to 5kg payload, or choose to add in the fourth leg to bear up to 8kgs of clothes weight. The Bed Hanger Rack from Bauhutte can even adjust its height to suit the size of the bed, the length to accommodate your need, and the height at which you want to hang your clothes. Fascinating!

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Google Japan Makes 5-Foot Long Keyboard with All Its Keys in a Single Row

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Because when it comes to computing, there’s always room for unimprovement, Google Japan has created a 5.4-foot long keyboard with all the keys in a single row. Presumably inspired by the dancing piano keyboard scene from Big, its creators say the keyboard prevents having to look in every direction for the key you need since it can only be left or right and not up or down. Of course, you may still need a yardstick to reach it.

I learned how to touch type in high school, and it’s hands-down been one of the most useful skills I ever learned. As a matter of fact, it may be the only useful skill I learned in high school. I mean, besides, how to entertain myself in detention. Now I’m never bored.

I don’t think Google is actually going to produce the keyboard for sale, presumably because it’s a ridiculously bad idea. You need any more bad ideas, Google? Hire me; I’m full of them. Here’s a freebie: a 12-pound computer mouse that can only be moved incrementally for extreme precision.

[via PCMag]

This Mount Fuji cutlery rest will have you thinking of Japan at every meal

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You have the perfect spread for a fine lunch or dinner with your fine tableware and luxurious silverware. Your linens are clean and carefully pressed, and the scrumptious meal is proceeding perfectly. But then a moment comes when you or your guests have to put down their knives or forks. Maybe you just need a break, or maybe you need to switch to a spoon or other cutlery. Putting down this used cutlery, especially when they’ve been used on sauces or oils, could ruin the atmosphere or, at the very least, your tablecloth. That’s when you’d probably wish you had a way to keep that from happening, and this beautiful cutlery rest is such a solution that not only preserves your table but even adds elegance to your setting.

Designer: Takebayashi Design

Click Here to Buy Now: Two for $165 $219 (25% off). Hurry, deal ends Sept 24th!

Cutlery rests are admittedly not that common in many cultures, but they are also critical in others, albeit going by different names. A knife rest is probably better known in Europe, while chopstick rests are in wide use in East Asian countries. Whatever incarnation or name they come in, their purpose remains the same. They elevate cutlery so that they don’t touch the table, preventing ugly stains as well as keeping the cutlery clean.

These rests come in all forms and designs, and they can be as simple as a block of wood or as ornate as fine metalwork. These Itadaki cutlery rests combines those two elements, presenting a lavish metal accessory that embodies both simple forms and elaborate engravings. The rests don’t merely stand as luxurious tableware accents but also as a testament to fine craftsmanship.

Rather than just a flat block of metal, this Japanese-inspired cutlery rest slopes upward toward the middle, ending in a flat stump at the peak. Although the actual mountaintop doesn’t end that way, this form is largely inspired by the country’s most iconic summit, Mt. Fuji. It’s also not by coincidence that the curves produced by these slopes are perfect for laying forks, chopsticks, knives, or spoons to rest.

Carved in incredible detail at the micrometer (1/1,000 mm) level, and shifts in appearance ever so slightly depending on how the light hits it.

The association of the rest’s shape with Mt. Fuji might be lost on all but the most discerning observer, but patterns engraved on its surface will definitely call to mind some of the country’s symbolic flora. From the well-known sakura or cherry blossoms to plum blossoms and chrysanthemum flowers, the cutlery rests represent Japan’s seasons that yield these beautiful flowers. They also give the etched surfaces a bit of texture so that silverware don’t simply slide off, making the rests pointless.

The cutlery rest is an homage to Japanese craftsmanship in more than just its design. Each piece is cut from a stainless steel block by changing the thickness of the blade at different parts of the process. Each rest is then carefully polished by hand to give it its sheen. Just like the word “itadaki” itself, this cutlery rest represents the summit of tableware, made with care to also take care of your cutlery, your table, and your guests.

Click Here to Buy Now: 2 for $165 $219 (25% off). Hurry, deal ends Sept 24th!

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Lay’s Potato Chips Creates Finger-Washing Machine to Clean Oily Fingers

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Potato chip giant Lay’s has created the Finger Washer, a tiny USB-C chargeable device that cleans your fingers after eating chips to keep them oil free. I like how it looks like a little washing machine; that was a nice touch. Me? I never actually touch the chips with my fingers; I just tilt the bag into my mouth. And I guarantee Cookie Monster would do the same thing if he were into chips instead of cookies.

The machine measures 15 cm x 11 cm (6″ x 4.3″) and sprays an ultra-fine mist of atomized alcohol inside when a finger is detected. Although I doubt it can differentiate between a finger and anything else, so don’t get any ideas. Unfortunately for anybody seriously interested in one, only five are being made, and they’re all being awarded through a lottery held by Lay’s in Japan. I’m already applying for residency.

Alternatively, clean your fingers with a travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer after chipping like a normal person who doesn’t have an automated Finger Washer. That’s what I would do if I ever touched the chips instead of just pouring them into my mouth from the bag. I’ve actually saved myself time and money, if you think about it. Those seconds and pennies add up.

[via OddityCentral]

Shell House is an organic-looking timber cabin in the woods of Japan

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Having a house in the middle of the forest, away from all civilization, seems to be more and more appealing these days. But for a city girl like me, having my creature comforts is still important as I wouldn’t be able to just live in a tent or something similar to that. Good thing there are cabins and houses that are created specifically for those who want to escape living in the city but still want to live in an actual and beautiful house.

Designer: Tono Mirai

Japanese architect Tono Mirai is known as the pioneer of something called “earth architecture,” and his latest creation, Shell House, is a cabin in the middle of the forest that seems to have sprouted out of the ground. The 625-square-foot cabin is in the forested mountains of Karuizawa, Nagano, with a view of Mount Asana, Honshu’s most active volcano. It is a shell-shaped structure with the west and north elevations closed while the east and south sides are open. The house is elevated four feet above the ground so moisture won’t seep in and over the years, the materials used will develop a rich patina.

Mirai used timber and earth to create the cabin from within 93 miles, including local timbers like Japanese red pine, cypress, and cedar. He also refused to use laminated wood or plywood and instead used only natural materials to match not just the surroundings but the organic form of the structure itself, which “evokes the life force of nature”. The door is made from timber and is set into the shell, opening up to the ground-floor living space and the timber deck with the sliding door.

The asymmetric wooden roof structure did not use any nails and used traditional Japanese carpentry technique that uses seven beams to connect to one central round beam. The ground floor has a living and kitchen space that opens up to a timber deck. There is also a raised platform where you can eat, sleep, or just lounge and there is storage underneath for a futon bed. At the back there is a timber door leading to the bathroom and storage space.

The second floor is a multipurpose living and sleeping space which also includes storage for bedding. The previously discussed roof has curved beams and natural light is able to enter to the room through small apertures integrated. The entire house is able to adjust or respond to weather conditions, whether it’s the humid summers or the freezing winters. I wouldn’t mind living in something like that obviously, although how long I can stay there is another question.

The post Shell House is an organic-looking timber cabin in the woods of Japan first appeared on Yanko Design.