Japanophile
Japan’s allure cannot be attributed to any one specific trait. Be it cuisine or culture, design and architecture, cities of the future or soothing reprieves, the island nation offers unparalleled experiences across the spectrum of high and low. This is why we continue to return and explore. Our Japanophile Gift Guide is particularly close to our hearts, as it includes items from our Omakase gift box, a collection of 13 gifts crafted in collaboration with Japanese artisans. Every design object we’ve developed has function, but to decipher their untold value requires history lessons. With products exquisitely made by Asahiyaki (now led by a talented 16th generation ceramist), Chi Chi, Grisal, KIUN, Taro Tabuchi, Hajime Shoji, Zillion and others, this is an exclusive, high-quality gift for any Japanophile or lover of textile, design and craftsmanship. For that high-end gift, and so many more thoughtful products, take a look at our Japanophile Gift Guide.
Hero image courtesy of Josh Rubin
Chore Jacket
Chore Jacket
We find so much joy in seeing two brands that do good things for the world collaborating to make something special. For this limited collection Transnomadica reworked vintage blue chore jackets in four different styles exclusively for Proto. Transnomadica is the evolution of Maurizio Donadi’s vast collection of vintage denim, military and workwear which he curates into informative and inspiring gallery exhibitions and also reworks using both modern and traditional techniques to bring peace, love and fun to old pieces. Proto is an upstart footwear brand dedicated to finding a better path in the industry by focusing on equity, representation, fairness and sustainability through the entire value chain of what they do. Prices range from $280 – $320 depending on the style.
Added: September 2023
This product is sold by Proto
Garden Tote
Garden Tote
From the small but mighty collaboration between NYC-based NOAH and Japan-inspired gardening brand Niwaki, the Garden Tote is a hardy, practical bag for all your days spent planting, weeding and pruning. Crafted from a sturdy 100% cotton canvas, the bag features one spacious main compartment and deep pockets around the outside for organizing all your gear. It has a flat base so it will stand up on its own, whether you’re lugging tools, soil or bulbs.
Added: September 2023
This product is sold by NOAH
Smiley Duck Sneakers
Smiley Duck Sneakers
Made from cotton canvas with a rubber outsole and toecap, Prospective Flow’s latest sneaker design puts a smile on your feet. Like all of the LA-based brand’s clothes and accessories these shoes are designed with timeless style and enduring quality by a Japanese-American team that leans heavily into traditional craft. The Smiley Ducks are available in natural (shown) and black with pre-orders now until 29 September and deliveries in 4-6 months.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Prospective Flow
Dougi Camo Pants
Dougi Camo Pants
With a cross-over design of the front panels CCP’s Dougi pants are a clever interpretation of the traditional Kendo uniform suited for everyday wear. The internal belt that cinches at the hips makes for an extremely comfy fit and side seam pockets upgrade their utility. This CH favorite design from the Japanese sportswear brand is now available in three different camouflage patterns—Chocolate Chip Desert, Swedish and Woodland (pictured here).
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by CCP
FUJI Japanese Whisky
FUJI Japanese Whisky
FUJI Japanese Whisky is one of historic Mt. Fuji Distillery’s newest products, created for and exclusively available in the US market. A blend of the brand’s malt and grain whiskies aged for an average of eight years in 100% American White Oak, the liquid is fruity on the nose, well balanced and well priced for the quality.
Added: July 2023
This product is sold by FUJI Whisky
Eight-Color Crayon
Eight-Color Crayon
Designed and manufactured in Japan by stationery brand Hightide (founded in Fukuoka in 1994), this non-toxic wax crayon includes eight colors in one instrument. Choose from pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black or purple and let the creativity flow.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by Hightide
FUKU Jacket
FUKU Jacket
FUKU is a kimono-style garment, lined with a soft fleece for extra warmth and comfort. From the Japanese brand Prospective Flow, the traditional jacket (with roomy pockets and a single button closure) is relaxed but imbued with sophistication.
Added: February 2023
This product is sold by Prospective Flow
Cast Iron Mosquito Coil Case
Cast Iron Mosquito Coil Case
From NYC-based Natala Natala (a homeware brand that sells beautiful pieces crafted by artisans in Japan and the US) comes a mosquito coil case that makes an otherwise unattractive—but very useful—item much more appealing. Designed by Suzuki Morihisa studio, located in the Iwate Prefecture in Japan’s Tōhoku region, this piece can be hung or laid flat on any surface. Its super-durable textured iron composition lends it an industrial look.
Added: November 2022
This product is sold by Nalata Nalata
N°39 Medium Triangle Tote Bag
N°39 Medium Triangle Tote Bag
Inspired by the knot used for traditional Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloth, this medium-sized tote bag by CaBas is crafted using sashiko-embroidered Mikawa cotton from Aichi-based Atelier Tanei (one of the rare manufacturers with the skill required to work with the material). With a leather strap, the bag features inner and outer pockets secured by a stud. Altogether, it’s sculptural, durable and elegant. Price is in Pounds.
Added: September 2022
This product is sold by CaBas
Fur Slip-Ons
Fur Slip-Ons
Unconventional fashion and footwear designer Mihara Yasuhiro takes the familiar silhouette of the slip-on and turns it on its head with the introduction of striking faux fur. Available in beige, black or brown, the shoes are emblematic of the irregular, bold and unequivocally unique style that garnered the Japanese designer his cult following.
Added: September 2022
This product is sold by Mihara Yasuhiro
Camber Top Tool Box
Camber Top Tool Box
Made is Osaka, Japan, this minimalist toolbox from Toyo Steel combines modern style with compact design to refine the ubiquitous household necessity. The sleek box, crafted with stainless steel, is the perfect size for storing handy tools, classic gadgets and miscellaneous gizmos. The toolbox comes in vibrant blue, red or black.
Added: September 2022
This product is sold by Toyo Steel
Hand-Dyed Indigo Uchiwa Fan
Hand-Dyed Indigo Uchiwa Fan
From Tokushima, Japan-based Awagami, a washi brand run by the Fujimori family, comes a lovely Uchiwa fan—a traditional Japanese non-folding fan whose style dates back to the 14th century. Hand-dyed with indigo in an ombre pattern by Awagami artisans, it’s made from kozo paper and bamboo.
Added: July 2022
This product is sold by Awagami
Takenobu Igarashi Playing Cards
Takenobu Igarashi Playing Cards
These playing cards by Takenobu Igarashi, which were first commissioned from the artist by MoMA in the late 1980s, have never lost their charm. Igarashi—a Japanese-born educator and graphic designer who founded and taught programs at Chiba University and Tama Art University in Japan and the University of California, LA—plays with negative space to create elegant and timeless designs. Piatnik produces these reproductions of Igarashi’s cards in red or black.
Added: February 2022
This product is sold by Piatnik
Tsukemono Japanese Pickling Seeds Set
Tsukemono Japanese Pickling Seeds Set
Tsukemono are preserved vegetables produced through a traditional Japanese process of pickling that inspires balance and connection to each meal. While these vegetables often appear on a small plate as a side to a main course, tsukemono are not an afterthought. Across all varieties, they pack a bounty of spicy, sweet or sour flavors that add depth to every dish. Sold by KonMari, this set of seven (which includes katsura giant pickling melon, kurume long Japanese eggplant, red mustard, cucumber hybrid, kanamachi turnip, tokinashi all-season daikon and aichi Chinese cabbage) from the Kitazawa Seed Company offers a comprehensive taste of this tradition.
Added: November 2021
This product is sold by Kitazawa Seed Company
Large Kenzan Set
Large Kenzan Set
For dazzling, gravity-defying bouquets, Plantgem’s kenzan set is a sturdy yet delicate holder for the Japanese art of flower arranging, ikebana. A kenzan (“sword mountain” in Japanese) fixes flowers to a specific spot as spikes within the item keep stems in place. This large rust-proof set uses brass pins to provide solid support while being small enough for fragile blooms. Made in Japan, this kenzan ensures endless, mesmerizing floral displays.
Added: November 2021
This product is sold by Plantgem
Crean Mate Rust Eraser + Tool Cleaner
Crean Mate Rust Eraser + Tool Cleaner
Made in Japan, Niwaki’s scouring block is ideal for cleaning rust, resin and grime from blades, particularly secateurs, shears and knives. This easy-to-use tool works with just a few drops of water, but can be better supported by Niwaki’s Camellia Oil, which helps keep blades sharper for longer. Simply add the water or oil to a blade and scrub with the Crean Mate as if it were an eraser. Note, however, that due to the cleaner’s rough texture, it is recommended that a sample test is done for beloved blades.
Added: October 2021
This product is sold by Niwaki
Origami Dripper M
Origami Dripper M
The ceramic Origami Dripper M features 20 ribs to maximize airflow and increase flavor in pour over coffee. Made from porcelain, the dripper boasts high thermal conductivity, which makes it ideal for maintaining high temperatures as steam separates from hot water. The shape of the structure also slows water absorption into the ground beans. The Origami Dripper M is also dishwasher and microwave safe and available in array of colors.
Added: January 2021
This product is sold by ORIGAMI
Vase by Nakagawa Mokkouegi
Vase by Nakagawa Mokkouegi
Third-generation woodworker Shuji Nakagawa at Nakagawa Mokkouegi in Shiga used a 700-year-old technique called Ki-Oke (or bucket-making) to craft these vases—in an edition of 30 unique pieces. Today there are just a few of these traditional artisans left—and unlike many of his peers, Nakagawa also uses the technique to create more modern objects like these. For this particular commission, we asked him to create a vase with an organic shape unlike one he’d ever produced before. When he presented the stellar collection of 30 pieces he said the commission was the most challenging project he’s worked on.
Added: December 2020
This product is sold by Shuji Nakagawa
COOL HUNTING EDITION Kiun Incense
COOL HUNTING EDITION Kiun Incense
COOL HUNTING commissioned Kazushi Iwasa, Kiun’s fifth-generation incense-maker in Takamatsu, Japan, to craft a unique incense for our annual limited edition gift series, Omakase, using natural indigo. The earthy, woody, musky scent is light and refreshing—and the incense does not drop ash as it burns, rather, it curls inward together. Of note, the Taro Tabuchi incense plate shown is not included with this two box purchase, but is available as a set with four boxes.
Added: November 2020
This product is sold by Kiun
Indigo Garment Dye Kit
Indigo Garment Dye Kit
A powdered indigo dye developed at Aikuma Senryo (originally a Chinese herbal apothecary founded in Tokyo circa 1818), Yamato Indigo makes it easy to dye apparel, accessories and other fabrics at home. This kit includes enough of each individual component to concoct a large vat of dye in order to lend a vibrant hue to shirts, pants and even sneakers. Specifically, that means 50 grams of Yamato Indigo dye, 100ml of vinegar, 100ml of a fixative, as well as a portion of soda ash and Sodium Hydrosulfite (and possibly a pair of rubber gloves, current shortage pending). Instructions are easy and the entire process is fun as a group activity, too.
Added: October 2020
This product is sold by Yamato Indigo
Legent Bourbon Selvedge Denim Jacket
Legent Bourbon Selvedge Denim Jacket
Legent Bourbon and NYC-based menswear designer Todd Snyder join forces for the limited edition Bourbon Selvedge Denim Jacket. The accessory employs hand-selected Japanese denim produced on a shuttle loom in Okayama, which is then cut, sewn and expertly tailored here in the US by Snyder’s team. It’s based on the body of the fashion brand’s classic Dylan jacket but repeatedly nods to the bourbon and its unique, international production method.
Added: October 2020
This product is sold by Todd Snyder
ACG Mt Fuji Overall Shorts
ACG Mt Fuji Overall Shorts
Nike’s new ACG Mt Fuji collection features plenty of wind- and water-resistant garments and accessories inspired by the Japanese mountain’s terrain. A lava-like camouflage print covers these durable overall shorts and a woven, retro Nike ACG patch adds a pop of color. This piece is meant to match the rest of the collection, which includes a poncho, sneakers, sandals and a vest. The full collection is available today at Nike’s online store. Price is in Euros.
Added: August 2020
This product is sold by Nike ACG
SS-VB02 Filter Top
SS-VB02 Filter Top
Designed by the team at Japanese cycle shop CCP, the clever SS-VB02 Filter Top combines a sweat-absorbent, rain-resistant shirt with a built-in face mask. The “the stand collar,” which doubles as a mask, is fully adjustable thanks to a drawcord inside and protects from pollen, cold air and germs. Also, with a zipped slit pocket in the center of the chest, this garment proves itself to be super-functional and sleek. Available in navy or black, and three sizes.
Added: May 2020
This product is sold by CCP Wear
DAO-2 Slippers
DAO-2 Slippers
Japanese brand Suicoke’s DAO-2 slippers (available in two colorways) feature an adjustable nylon and PVC-padded band with a toggle string for tightening to ensure a firm but comfortable fit. The industrial upper contrasts a rugged sole, which makes these ideal in-between shoes. Intended for all genders, these slides feature subtle gray and black with a pop of yellow and an overall utilitarian vibe.
Added: April 2020
This product is sold by Suicoke
Kasezome Sashiko Jacket
Kasezome Sashiko Jacket
Dyed using the time-consuming and meticulous technique called kasezome (aka hank- or skein-dyeing), this Studio D’Artisan jacket celebrates Japanese tradition and craftsmanship. Crafted from 100% cotton Studio D’Artisan original sashiko fabric, the jacket features a plush wool lining and collar as well as black snap buttons. A combination of workwear and luxury, tradition and modernity, this jacket is available in sizes 38 to 44 and is made in Japan.
Added: February 2020
This product is sold by Studio D'Artisan
