Japan Travel in the Know– category –

Modern logic says anyone can be a chef with a good recipe, but the story of Kiyomi Mikuni proves otherwise. From scrubbing pots at the Imperial Hotel to becoming a global icon, join me as I explore the "illogical" beauty of hard work and the extraordinary Hokkaido restaurant where his philosophy—and our chairs—come together.

【Real estate bubble in Niseko】 Ginza is the area in Tokyo well known as a luxury area. The above image (the thumbnail image) is Ginza 4th block's intersection. The area holds the highest land price record in Japan: about 500,000 USD/sq...

In an onsen, everyone is equal because everyone is naked. Explore the fascinating history of how Japanese hot springs served as a sanctuary from social status and the "curse" of productivity. From Samurai "resetting" their souls to the art of the Yukata waddle, discover the ultimate way to spoil yourself.

Why is Kyoto so popular? It’s the ancient capital and the destination for nearly every Japanese school trip (a beautiful, chaotic spring ritual). But here’s the paradox: Japan’s legal durable life for wooden buildings is only 22 years. This is absurd, considering Hōryū-ji Temple was built 1,400 years ago! The secret lies in ancient wisdom: using nail-less flexibility to withstand earthquakes. This same principle—accommodating wood’s expansion and contraction—is incorporated into our IPPONGI table, making it a piece of history you can use daily.

Being from Hokkaido is a conversational superpower, unlike the "handicap" of being from Northern Kanto. But while our seafood is world-class, our design has often been "stuck in the 80s." Explore how architect Sou Fujimoto is changing Hokkaido's image—and why I need you to buy Tsuboya’s sweets so they can eventually buy our furniture!

We shared the kind of misery that forges a very Japanese, unbreakable bond. I subjected my Chairman to the cheapest hotels worldwide—often in rooms where you couldn't open a suitcase. Now, the new Royal Park Canvas in Sapporo offers a blueprint for sustainable travel, built with the quality and consciousness that finally won his approval.

Last year, a bear in Hokkaido didn't just attack—it hunted. Join me as I explore the disturbing shift in bear behavior, the collapse of Japan’s "buffer zones," and why the act of making furniture is a vital defense against the deadly consequences of leaving nature alone.

【Trick-or-treating in Hokkaido】 Did you know that the history of trick-or-treating at Halloween in North America was not so long? It started about in 1930, while Halloween itself has a long history of more than 2000 years. As you may k...

Did you know Haagen-Dazs was originated in the US? I thought it came from somewhere in North Europe, which, I assume, would be exactly what the brand founder intended. Let me tell you another example. In Japan, canned coffee is one of th...

I think we can devide business organizations into two types by hiring method: job-description type and membership type. The former organizations clearly define the tasks that they want their employees to fulfill. Accordingly, employees f...