Japan possesses a continuous tradition of wooden architecture dating back to around the 6th century. The five-story pagoda at Hōryū-ji, one of the oldest wooden structures in the world, was first built in 607, rebuilt around 711 after a fire in 670, and has stood for more than thirteen centuries. Its very existence quietly testifies to the enduring strength of Japan’s wooden craft. At Ise Grand Shrine, the Shikinen Sengū— the ritual rebuilding of the shrine on an adjacent sit

Chanoyu (the Japanese tea tradition), also known as sadō or chadō (“the Way of Tea”), is a cultural practice that developed in 16th-century Japan and centers on serving powdered green tea ( matcha ) to guests. Often translated as the Japanese tea ceremony , it encompasses far more than the act of preparing tea: it includes the arrangement of the tearoom, the choice of utensils, seasonal aesthetics, the meal ( kaiseki ), and the carefully choreographed movements of host and

In 2012, when I opened MIWA, I was looking for a good sushi restaurant in France. At that time, in Paris, JIN, ONODERA, OKUDA and Sushi B...

The bar culture in Japan is very special. Rounded ice ball, sofisticated tools, single slab of wooden counter and fresh fruits like...

Cafe? Bar? No, this is tea bar. In edo era, there is the tea master called Baisao. He thought the tea ceremony of Macha (powder tea) was...

The tradition of ceramic in Japan is so long. The oldest pottery is the Jomon pottery which was made in 12,700 B.C. to 300 B.C. This...

The Araki is the three star chef on Michelin Tokyo. He closed the reataurant in Ginza on 2013 and moved to London to open sushi restaurant. There is some " Honmono " sushi restaurant in Europe now, but The Araki is the one of restaurants which get 3 stars on Michelin Tokyo. The Araki is the first restaurant which open outside of Japan. The Araki's counter was made by Hinoki which come from Higashishirakawa Village in Japan. Pavilion Miwa was made with Hinoki come from same

In Tokyo, we can taste flavors from all over the world, however it is difficult to find good bread there. Unlike Paris which excels in...

Taking advantage of the inauguration of the Hokuriku shinkansen, culinary artist Ayako Suwa organized a guerrilla restaurant for just two...

There was not only " Kata - form" but also " Kokoro - Sensibility to feel". Nodate is the tea ceremony which was performed outside of tea pavilion. The tea ceremony held by Franck Armand was fantastic. He succeeded kokoro of tea ceremony. Especially in Japan, Sado -tea classes mostly emphasize on Kata for example the protocols, manners, and knowledge of the tools. There are not many classes focus on kokoro . After Meiji Restoration on 1868, Japanese culture became we

Soba is one of the most traditional dish in Japan. Soba is eaten from 8th century and became popular in the Edo period (17th century). This is why there are many historical Soba restaurants in Tokyo. Sunaba, Yabusoba and Sarashina these famous soba restaurants are established in Edo period. Soba is quick and cheap dish but sofisicated in long history. Same as Sushi, Soba is very simple and profound. Yen in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the one of the best soba restaurant outsi

There is many places you can feel traditional Japan around Kyoto but Sagawa Art Museum is the crossing point of tradition and modern architect. There is a tea pavilion which is designed by Raku Kichizaemon 15th. Raku Kichizaemon is the artisan of tea bowl which are used for tea ceremony from 16th century. The first generation of Raku Kichizaemon made tea bowl for Senno Rikyu, most famous tea master, and Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi named him "Raku". Raku Kichizaemon 15th is

Sushi is the most famous dish of Japanese food in Paris, but there is not many places where serve " Honmono " sushi. Onodera is the one of them. At first time I went, it was not perfect. In France it's very difficult to get raw fish which is good condition. In Japan, fishes are prepared very carefully in all process. Especially in fishermans boat, they are treated by " Ikijime ", special technique to extract blood. But in France there is no Ikijime fish. That's why its dif

Karatsu is very famous village for tea ceremony bowl. "1 Raku, 2 Hagi, 3 Karatsu" is a proverb which listed up tea ceremony bowl. Karatsu have 1000 years tradition of pottery. Especially the artisan Nakazato family was succeeded to 13th generation for 400 years. If you go to good restaurants or good Ryokan in Karatsu, all places are using Nakazato's plate. They are sharing aesthetics throuth their works. Yoyokaku is in Karastu. It was established in 1893, the buildings a