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.

KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by DOMYO

Discover the past, present and possible futures of kumihimo, an intricate, decorative braided cord from Japan, in the first major UK exhibition exploring this ancient yet contemporary Japanese art.

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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Videos, Interviews and Tours

Watch how silk thread is dyed and prepared to make kumihimo cords in this video.

Kumihimo: Dyeing and Preparing the thread

In this video, ‘Living National Treasure’ Murose Kazumi offers an introduction to urushi, including its arrival into Japan around the beginnings of the Shо̄sо̄in Repository in the Tenpyо̄ period (729-749).

Introduction to Urushi with ‘Living National Treasure’ Murose Kazumi

Step into the world of Japanese craftsmanship with this virtual exhibition exploring 1,300 years of master woodworking from the densely forested Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in central Japan.

The Carpenters' Line: Virtual Exhibition

Join us for a special talk and panel discussion exploring the relationship between humans and trees, an event accompanying Japan House London’s latest exhibition ‘The Carpenters’ Line’.

Living with Trees: In Conversation with Makino Yoshiyuki and Kevin Martin

This video shows the technique of mageki (wood bending) in a woodworking workshop in Hida, being applied to a single, solid piece of wood.

Japanese Woodworking Techniques: Mageki (Wood-bending)

Videos, Interviews and Tours

Watch how silk thread is dyed and prepared to make kumihimo cords in this video.

Kumihimo: Dyeing and Preparing the thread

Introduction to Urushi with ‘Living National Treasure’ Murose Kazumi

Step into the world of Japanese craftsmanship with this virtual exhibition exploring 1,300 years of master woodworking from the densely forested Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in central Japan.

The Carpenters' Line: Virtual Exhibition

Join us for a special talk and panel discussion exploring the relationship between humans and trees, an event accompanying Japan House London’s latest exhibition ‘The Carpenters’ Line’.

27 Nov 2022 Living with Trees: In Conversation with Makino Yoshiyuki and Kevin Martin

This video shows the technique of mageki (wood bending) in a woodworking workshop in Hida, being applied to a single, solid piece of wood.

Japanese Woodworking Techniques: Mageki (Wood-bending)

Step onto the island of Inujima in this virtual exhibition which explores how an extraordinary living art project is transforming the island’s landscape and lives of its inhabitants.

Symbiosis Virtual Exhibtion website images 01 02

Symbiosis: Virtual Exhibition

Hara Kenya - Designer

Making Nuno – textile, curation and design

Stories

Ozu Yasujirō is often described today as among the world’s greatest filmmakers, but his films were rarely seen outside Japan until the last third of the 20th cCentury.

Ozu Yasujirō life and films

Ozu Yasujirō is often described today as among the world’s greatest filmmakers, but his films were rarely seen outside Japan until the last third of the 20th cCentury.

Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding technique that interlaces at least three and often many more cords of silk or other threads to form a single plaited cord.

Kumihimo: a thread through Japanese history

Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding technique that interlaces at least three and often many more cords of silk or other threads to form a single plaited cord.

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

KUMIHIMO: Japanese Silk Braiding by DOMYO

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

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