A 1930s Art Deco building in London’s Kensington district may not seem like an obvious place to find Japanese design nirvana.

However, the Grade II-listed building – a former department store originally designed by architect Bernard George – has recently been reincarnated as Japan House London.

Following in the footsteps of Sao Paolo and Los Angeles, it is the third global Japan House to open since last year. The project, spearheaded by the Japanese government, aims to showcase the very best of all things related to Japanese design and culture.

Under the eagle-eyed creative direction of iconic Japanese designer Kenya Hara (long famed as Muji’s art director), each Japan House project consist of architect-designed spaces housing galleries, restaurants, design boutiques, cafes and libraries.

The new Japan House London – which opened in June –  has clean-lined minimal interiors by Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall. Inside, there is The Gallery showcasing ever-changing exhibitions; The Shop, with artisan-designed products; The Stand selling coffees and snacks; and The Library, with books curated by Yoshitaka Haba of Bach. Meanwhile, high quality seasonal food is showcased on a medley of Japanese ceramics its Japanese restaurant, as masterminded by chef Akira Shimizu.

Here, Michael Houlihan, director general of Japan House London, offers further insight into the world of Japan House London.

What is the concept of Japan House?

Our goal is to connect the lives of people in Britain to Japan by means of an authentic encounter with Japan’s art, design, food, artisanship and technology.

How are you hoping to change UK’s perception of Japanese culture?

We want to move beyond the superficial stereotypes of Japan – you won’t find geisha, lanterns and Mt Fuji at Japan House; yet, visitors will find it unmistakeably Japanese in its design, aesthetic and content. We want to incite a deeper understanding of Japan.

Can you explain a little about the building?

Records indicate that in the 1920s, retailers Derry and Toms and Barkers entered into a partnership and formulated plans for the creation of two new department stores on Kensington High Street. American architect CA Wheeler was appointed to consult on the fit out and arrangement of the store. The new, seven-storey building opened in 1933. The building itself was designed by Bernard George in an Art Deco style, and featured metalwork by Walter Gilbert and panel reliefs by Charles Henry Mabey Jnr.

How was it given a modern makeover for Japan House?

The interior design was led by Masamichi Katayama, one of Japan’s leading interior designers and founder of Wonderwall. His design for the interiors of Japan House respect the original open plan layout, at the same time conveying the essence of Japan’s aesthetic, expressed through a sense of beauty, dignity, and authenticity. It successfully embraces both the traditional and the cutting-edge.

What inspired his designs?

Katayama’s spatial concept is based on the tokonoma, an empty, raised alcove in a Japanese home where guests can admire displays of art such as a hanging scroll (kakemono) or seasonal flowers (ikebana). The centre of attention is not the design, but rather what occurs in that space. Katayama’s intention is for Japan House to be a tokonoma in London for the authentic presentation of Japanese aesthetics.

What can we find on the lower ground floor?

The Gallery and Hall – which represent the cultural heartbeat of Japan House. A changing programme of exhibitions explore the many facets of Japanese creativity and innovation, whileworkshops, lectures, films, and performances support the exhibitions. [the current exhibition showcases the work of architect Sou Fujimoto].

How about the restaurant space?

Here, Katayama incorporated his interpretation of a specifically Japanese sense of place and home – the concept of the doma. This is a space that sits between indoors and outdoors in a traditional Japanese house and has different purposes. Part kitchen, it is also a social space where family, friends and neighbours gather together.

And what is the concept behind the food?

It is a place to experience Japanese-style omotenashi hospitality and the theatre of cooking, as chefs prepare dishes reflecting Japan’s diverse food offer, using seasonal ingredients over roaring robata (charcoal grill) flames.

So what’s on the menu?

Japanese ingredients people may not be familiar with – for example, yuzu, shiso, miso, umeboshi, matcha and tosa jelly. But the way they are introduced is accessible. sFor example, chicken ume plum and shiso skewers with sweet soy sauce; and shredded shiso cooked on the robata grill. Other Highlights also include imaginative sushi and chargrilled kushiyaki skewers.

Over in The Shop, what kind of things can people buy?

A range of functional, everyday Japanese products – from crafts rooted in Japanese traditions and one-of-a-kind pieces by artists to products reflecting cutting-edge technology. A wide range of products also embrace food, drink, kitchen, and tableware; stationery and washi (Japanese paper); fashion and accessories.

Any examples of popular products so far?

The D-Bros vases – these vases are flat, but unfold to become 3D flower vases when filled with water. Stock that we expected to last two months sold out in five days! Air Vases by Torafu Architects and Wasara compostable picnic ware are other top sellers. In terms of artisan-made items, TEKISEISHA lacquerware has also been selling very well.

And finally, what’s your long term goal?

We hope that Japan House will become a catalyst for generating both cultural and economic capital between the two nations, by unlocking doors to new and long-lasting relationships and possibilities in the fields of learning, creativity and business.

https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/