Japan House

Japan is frequently referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun.

So it’s probably a good thing that it’s brought a little of it over to London.

You’ll find it in the form of Japan House, a “cultural and creative crossroads” that already has outposts in LA and São Paolo. Taking up residence in a gorgeous Art Deco building on Kensington High Street, it packs in a restaurant, a gallery, an events space, a library, a shop, and more:

THE RESTAURANT

A contemporary Japanese number called AKIRA, the restaurant here is headed up by esteemed chef Akira Shimizu. Perched on the first floor, it’s a sleek, understated space dressed in pale wood and harbouring a huge open kitchen at its centre. Here, chefs char meat and fish over the charcoal robata grill and painstakingly assemble bento boxes with multiple compartments, each filled with a perfectly composed, bitesized dish. Tacked onto the restaurant is a Japanese bar, with an array of sakes to try by the glass and a cocktail menu packed with Japanese spirits and flavours.
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THE GALLERY

The vast gallery space is home to a rolling roster of exhibitions from esteemed Japanese artists, designed to showcase the breadth of crafts practised across the country. So far, it’s hosted an impressive 360° video journey through Tokyo and an exhibition devoted to the graphic design behind the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games – but next up is WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Art, which surveys the shifting trends in the art of manga, commercial illustration, magazines and more (free, 6th July – 22nd October 2023).
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THE SHOP

And like all good museums, you’ll naturally be able to pass through the shop on your way out. It’s stocked with elegant, beautifully-designed pieces by Japanese designers, from ceramics and tableware to stationery, prints, books, and clothing.

They’ve got it down to a tee.

NOTE: Japan House is open daily, and admission to exhibitions is free – you can find out more at their website right HERE.

Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA

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