hokkaido– tag –

Why does Shōgun feel so "authentic" to us Japanese viewers, even though we've never seen a real samurai? I suspect our common image is a sophisticated fiction created by the entertainment industry. While the language barrier of the 17th century was real (we'd need translators!), the architectural detail is authentic, thanks partly to a Belgian historian advisor. This realism captured the era’s aesthetic: the appreciation of shadow and dimness. The implicit message is that true Japanese beauty is revealed only in the dark. Try it: find the perfect shadow for your furniture and discover the hidden elegance of the samurai era.

Why do people in one of the coldest places on Earth eat the most ice cream in winter? Explore the fascinating world of Hokkaido's sub-zero life, where airtight architecture and T-shirt-warm indoors turn a harsh winter into a cozy sanctuary.

Japan ranked second worst in the World Giving Index. We avoid debate, preferring to read between the lines. We argue that charity is fundamentally for self-satisfaction—and that’s fine! Let’s take the red pill, get out of capitalism, and do something irrationally kind. It’s the purest form of non-monetary profit.

Tomamu was a ruin left by Japan's Bubble Economy. We uncover the Unkai Paradox: its resurrection came not from a CEO, but a humble lift mechanic's observation. We analyze the success of the 'Unkai Terrace'—a tourism product based on luck and a 3-hour window—and how we captured that cloud-like comfort in our Mola sofa. Why drive nine hours for a chance at a cloud when you can guarantee a perfect simulation at home?

Why do people object to windmills? They say "natural landscapes are spoiled by artificial human structures." But I suspect this reflects human arrogance. I find validation in the words of sci-fi writer Stanisław Herman Lem: he argued that we see an anthill as "natural" but our houses as "artificial" because we believe we are beyond nature. If we accept that we are merely one part of nature, then a human structure is no more "artificial" than a structure built by a beaver. This perspective is liberating. Maybe we should stop seeing "artificial blight" where there is just a very tall anthill, built by nature's cleverest species.

Why did our ancestors risk death to eat blowfish? I argue that the answer is not taste, but our insatiable human curiosity. I demonstrate this uncontrollable urge by sharing a behavioral science experiment where students voluntarily chose to receive an electric shock—repeatedly—just to satisfy their curiosity. This inherent human nature leads to our new product: Hokkaido Smoked Coffee, where beans are smoked using the wood chips from our furniture. Don't pretend you aren't curious; you can't help yourself. Risk a small shock of flavor!

Why does planting a tree feel so profoundly positive? You cannot plant a tree without a radical, almost arrogant degree of hope for a future you will not see. For us, this means taking a 100-Year Bet: planting oak trees today that the children who join us will likely never see turned into furniture. This is the profound irony of investing in a raw material only for an entirely unseen future generation.

We may queue neatly, but we are internally seething. We analyze the privatization of pleasure using the TDL model (abolishing the free Fast Pass). The secret to Milano Salone's success is simple: its location offers irresistible, non-business entertainment. Entertainment is not supplementary to the trade show; it is the precondition for its success.

There are so many hidden gems in Hokkaido. You can see beautiful scenery e.g.; lakes, mountains, forest, sea and so on. I would like to share some gems in Hokkaido. 【Drift Ice (Ryuhyo)】 Drift ice along the Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido is ...

There are so many hidden gems in Hokkaido. You can see beautiful scenery e.g.; lakes, mountains, forest, sea and so on. I would like to share some gems in Hokkaido. 【The Place, SOUNKYO Onsen】 SOUNKYO is a picturesque gorge located in t...