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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

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.

Visit

Exhibition & Events

Explore all events
Visit us
Explore the exquisite creations of esteemed urushi artist Murose Kazumi in a special talk held in collaboration with the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC) and Royal Collection Trust.
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18 Feb 2023 Urushi and Creation: Talk by ‘Living National Treasure’ Murose Kazumi
As part of Japan House London’s season of woodworking from the master craftspeople of Hida, this display showcases a selection of objects created using a specific type of lacquer particular to Hida Takayama
Hida Shunke2
28 Oct 2022 - 22 Feb 2023 Hida Shunkei Lacquerware
Japan House London is delighted to present two free screenings of Tokyo Story, Ozu Yasujirō’s best known film from 1953, widely regarded as one of the greatest films in the history of cinema.
Tokyo Story Hara Setsuko and Chishu Ryu2
16 - 19 Feb 2023 Focus on Ozu Yasujirō: Tokyo Story
Explore the cultures of Japan this February half-term with a series of family-friendly workshops. During each workshop, participants can enjoy learning about Japan and unleashing their creativity while trying an activity using original Japan House London worksheets.
JHL Family Workshops Graphic2
13 - 18 Feb 2023 Japan House London Family Workshops
Visit Japan House London to discover the qualities Bizen ware, a type of Japanese earthenware from Bizen in Okayama Prefecture.
Bizen ware2
12 Dec 2022 - 27 Feb 2023 Bizen Ware

The Library

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Dynamic, themed book displays and permanent collection of hard-to-find books on Japan.

Shop In Store

17. The Shop at Japan House London 2 Image by Lee Mawdsley highres 1288x700
Bespoke crafts from across Japan, exquisitely displayed in gallery-like surroundings.

The Stand

The Stand at Japan House London
Café stand serving uniquely Japanese refreshments including matcha latte and wagashi Japanese sweets.

AKIRA Restaurant

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AKIRA restaurant presents a Japanese dining experience based on its ‘trinity of cooking’ principles - food, tableware and presentation.
Image for Urushi and Creation Talk by Living National Treasure Murose Kazumi 2
18 Feb 2023 Urushi and Creation: Talk by ‘Living National Treasure’ Murose Kazumi
Tokyo Story Hara Setsuko and Chishu Ryu2
16 - 19 Feb 2023 Focus on Ozu Yasujirō: Tokyo Story
JHL Family Workshops Graphic2
13 - 18 Feb 2023 Japan House London Family Workshops
Bizen ware2
12 Dec 2022 - 27 Feb 2023 Bizen Ware
Hida Shunke2
28 Oct 2022 - 22 Feb 2023 Hida Shunkei Lacquerware
library banner
The Library
17. The Shop at Japan House London 2 Image by Lee Mawdsley highres 1288x700
Shop In Store
The Stand at Japan House London
The Stand
GroupShot 1960X1097
AKIRA Restaurant

Discover

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
Kumihimo: Dyeing and Preparing the thread
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
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 Martin2
Living with Trees: In Conversation with Makino Yoshiyuki and Kevin Martin
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 01
Symbiosis: Virtual Exhibition
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
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
Kumihimo: Dyeing and Preparing the thread
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 1
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 Martin2
27 Nov 2022 Living with Trees: In Conversation with Makino Yoshiyuki and Kevin Martin
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
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 square
Japanese Woodworking Techniques: Mageki (Wood-bending)
Hara Kenya Landing page banner3
Hara Kenya - Designer
Making Nuno Landing page banner
Making Nuno – textile, curation and design

Stories

In the deep and diverse forests of the Hida region in Gifu prefecture, central Japan, lies a strongly embedded tradition of wood craftsmanship.
A wooded valley shrouded in mist
The Hida region: carpentry workshop of Japan
In the deep and diverse forests of the Hida region in Gifu prefecture, central Japan, lies a strongly embedded tradition of wood craftsmanship.
Chef Shimizu Akira of AKIRA restaurant introduces hōchō, single-sided knives made from layers of ultra-hard hagane (steel) and softer iron, known for their sharpness.
Japanese Knives Part II
Japanese Knives: Part II
Chef Shimizu Akira of AKIRA restaurant introduces hōchō, single-sided knives made from layers of ultra-hard hagane (steel) and softer iron, known for their sharpness.
Learn how to make chicken tempura according to Michelin-listed chef Shimizu Akira's recipe.
Cooking with Chicken
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 square tile
Shinkansen Bullet Train
The Shinkansen, commonly known in English as the ‘bullet train’, is an icon of Japanese design and technology

Activity sheets

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Design Your Own Uchikake
Discover Make Your Own Tanabata Decorations
Make Your Own Tanabata Decorations
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Six Native Dogs of Japan
Kokeshi are painted wooden dolls from the Tōhoku region in north-eastern Japan.
Kokeshi square
Design Your Own Kokeshi
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
orizuru making worksheet banner
How to Make Orizuru (folded paper crane)
Download Japan House London’s worksheet to make your own folded paper crane
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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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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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