Visit us on Kensington High Street

See the illustrations in our 'house' brought to life when you visit our Shop, Gallery, Hall, Café Stand and AKIRA Restaurant.

Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River

Experience Ainu culture as it exists today in the southern Hokkaido region of Biratori in this UK-first exploration of the contemporary lives of this indigenous people of northern Japan.

Japan House: the cultural home of Japan in London

Step into Japan from Kensington High Street. Explore our free events and exhibitions, Michelin-listed restaurant and range of crafts, homeware and accessories for an authentic encounter with contemporary Japan. Be inspired to learn more in our library and to plan your next visit in our travel zone. From craftsmanship and design to innovation and technology, challenge your perceptions of Japan and discover something new at Japan House London.

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Discover

Videos, Interviews and Tours

Kanazawa Shōko is one of Japan’s most acclaimed young contemporary calligraphers, known in particular for her bold and powerful brushstrokes.

Kanazawa Shōko: from dreams to international calligraphy fame

Sugawa Makiko decided to draw sensual, images of fashionable women with prosthetic legs after losing her own leg to cancer as a young woman.

Sugawa Makiko: finding beauty and strength in physical impairment

Inspired by the wave of digital natives, online illustrators and amateur artists who gained prominence in the early 2000s, Jenny kaori is known for her bold, punky depictions of girlhood.

Jenny kaori: riding the wave of new Japanese graphic art

Husband-and-wife team tupera tupera have been celebrated in Japan and beyond for the last 20 years for their children’s books.

Husband-and-wife creative team tupera tupera talk about their children's illustrations

Discover the past, present and possible futures of kumihimo – an intricate, decorative braided cord from Japan – in this virtual exhibition.

KUMIHIMO: Virtual Exhibition

Videos, Interviews and Tours

Kanazawa Shōko is one of Japan’s most acclaimed young contemporary calligraphers, known in particular for her bold and powerful brushstrokes.

Kanazawa Shōko: from dreams to international calligraphy fame

Sugawa Makiko decided to draw sensual, images of fashionable women with prosthetic legs after losing her own leg to cancer as a young woman.

Sugawa Makiko: finding beauty and strength in physical impairment

Inspired by the wave of digital natives, online illustrators and amateur artists who gained prominence in the early 2000s, Jenny kaori is known for her bold, punky depictions of girlhood.

Jenny kaori: riding the wave of new Japanese graphic art

Husband-and-wife team tupera tupera have been celebrated in Japan and beyond for the last 20 years for their children’s books.

Husband-and-wife creative team tupera tupera talk about their children's illustrations

Discover the past, present and possible futures of kumihimo – an intricate, decorative braided cord from Japan – in this virtual exhibition.

KUMIHIMO: Virtual Exhibition

Stories

Koreeda Hirokazu stands uniquely as Japan’s most regarded filmmaker of his generation. His subtle, humanistic portraits of modern-day family life have inevitably drawn comparisons with that celebrated master from the classical age of cinema, Ozu Yasujiro.

Koreeda Hirokazu: natural successor to master film director Ozu Yasujirō

Koreeda Hirokazu stands uniquely as Japan’s most regarded filmmaker of his generation. His subtle, humanistic portraits of modern-day family life have inevitably drawn comparisons with that celebrated master from the classical age of cinema, Ozu Yasujiro.

Heta-uma was never an organized movement, but it had the culture-changing impact of one.

‘So bad that it’s good’: the Japanese graphic art of heta-uma

Heta-uma was never an organized movement, but it had the culture-changing impact of one.

Learn how to make chicken tempura according to Michelin-listed chef Shimizu Akira's recipe.

Cooking Chicken Tempura

Learn how to make chicken tempura according to Michelin-listed chef Shimizu Akira's recipe.

The Shinkansen, commonly known in English as the ‘bullet train’, is an icon of Japanese design and technology

Shinkansen Bullet Train

The Shinkansen, commonly known in English as the ‘bullet train’, is an icon of Japanese design and technology

Activity sheets

Design Your Own Uchikake

Make Your Own Tanabata Decorations

Six Native Dogs of Japan

Kokeshi are painted wooden dolls from the Tōhoku region in north-eastern Japan.

Design Your Own Kokeshi Wooden Doll

Kokeshi are painted wooden dolls from the Tōhoku region in north-eastern Japan.

Download Japan House London’s worksheet to make your own folded paper crane

How to Make Orizuru (folded paper crane)

Download Japan House London’s worksheet to make your own folded paper crane

Venue Hire

Set in a stunning Art Deco building in the heart of Kensington, our minimalist, versatile venue offers an ideal blank canvas for conferences, receptions and filming.

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Support us

Partnerships are vital to the sustainability of Japan House London. Learn more about opportunities for engagement, brand alignment and relationship building.

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Volunteer with us

Join our team of committed volunteers providing invaluable input through a range of roles across the organisation whilst also developing their own, professional skills.

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Media Centre

Find and download images, videos and press releases from past exhibitions and events as well as The Shop, The Stand, The Library and the AKIRA restaurant.

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Visit us on Kensington High Street

Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River

Japan House: the cultural home of Japan in London

Visit

Exhibition & Events

The Library

Shop In Store

The Stand

AKIRA Restaurant

Discover

Videos, Interviews and Tours

Videos, Interviews and Tours

Stories

Activity sheets

Venue Hire

Support us

Volunteer with us

Media Centre

Keep up to date with Japan House London