travel– tag –

In a Japanese home, the mother is an absolute dictator, and the law is: "You shall eat curry for three days straight." Discover the hilarious reality of Japanese soul food, the "level 10" bravery of Indian spice elites, and why the best soup curry in Asahikawa is served in a showroom full of designer chairs.

Genghis Khan barbecue is a Hokkaido specialty, though it was once just a boring home-cooked meal for me. Tourists love to eat it near sheep ranches, but here's the reveal: more than 90% of the lamb and mutton consumed here is imported from Australia/New Zealand—it's the ultimate imported emperor. If you visit, you can trust any local restaurant, as they've survived the strict taste of Hokkaido people. Crucially, bring a large plastic bag to protect your coat from the intense grill smell. And if you visit MATSUO's newest Tokyo location, you can enjoy this local delicacy while sitting in our chairs.

Asahikawa: Hokkaido’s second city and a former strategic military front line. Discover its unique history, its 150 rivers, and why we are turning our furniture factory into a world-class destination. Experience industrial tourism in a city where even businessmen fish like James Bond.

【Have you been to roadside stations in Japan?】 This is one of the basics to enjoy a road trip in Japan, especially in Hokkaido: Make the best use of roadside stations. This transport infrastructure was born in around 1990. It's like re...

For a child in the 90s, Asahiyama Zoo was a "hell" of boredom. Today, it is a miracle of life. Explore the revolutionary shift from "caged animals" to "flying penguins" and see how this local success story inspired CondeHouse to turn their furniture factory into a spectacle of human craftsmanship.

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!