japan– tag –

Did you know "Pan" is Portuguese? From the accidental arrival of bread and guns to the 16th-century arms race that terrified colonial empires, join me as I explore Japan's "improvisational genius" and how we’re using that same spirit to take our Hokkaido furniture to the global stage.

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.

An Italian spends the world's last day with a lover; a Japanese person finishes work. We analyze the Ferrari Paradox. Discover the secret articulated by Ferrari designer Ken Okuyama, who sketched a history-making concept in just 15 minutes: "What looks simple is not simple. It’s designed to look simple."

【More choices make us less happy】 I can always make prompt decisions. This is one of the few things I'm proud of in my abilities. The trick is always trying to narrow down choices. Some people (who love fashion, for example) may say "W...

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...

【What are things other than basics of life?】 One of the biggest reasons why I was back to my hometown is a summer music festival held in Hokkaido. Nevertheless, this summer is ending without the fest due to the COVID, the same as last ...

Hokkaido has been Japan's favorite destination for 15 years, but for brands, it's a gauntlet. Explore the unique "Dosanko" psychology—a blend of pioneering spirit and rebellion that rejects Tokyo trends in favor of true innovation. Learn why surviving in Sapporo is the ultimate seal of quality.

Why does Kendo resist Olympic inclusion? I explore the Anti-Sport Philosophy of Kendo, where natural expressions of victory are penalized and the bamboo sword is treated as the soul of the samurai. This ritualistic Way of Life is rooted in a deep Japanese reverence for tools. I conclude by revealing how the very same Kendo spirit—the humble partnership with one's instruments—is what drives the quality and meticulous care in our Hokkaido furniture factory.