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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

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Visit us
Be mesmerized by the bold and powerful brushstrokes of Kanazawa Shōko, one of Japan’s most acclaimed young contemporary calligraphers, with a special talk and demonstration event at Japan House London.
Hisho 2
02 Apr 2023 Soaring High: Talk and Calligraphy Demonstration with Kanazawa Shōko and Kanazawa Yasuko
Japan House London is delighted to present a special talk and demonstration at the Langdon Down Centre welcoming globally renowned Japanese calligrapher, Kanazawa Shōko
Kanazawa Shoko and Yasuko2
01 Apr 2023 Tomo ni Ikiru (Living Together): Talk & Calligraphy Demonstration with Kanazawa Shōko and Kanazawa Yasuko
Get a first-hand experience of the beauty and intricate detail of kumihimo silk braiding during a beginner’s workshop at Japan House London.
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16 Mar - 11 Jun 2023 An Introduction to Kumihimo Braiding
Explore the cultures of Japan this Easter with a series of free 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.
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10 - 16 Apr 2023 Japan House London Easter Family Workshops
Ozu Yasujirō (1903-1963) is undoubtedly one of the most prominent figures in Japanese cinema, if not in the history of cinema throughout the world.
Early Summer4
16 Feb - 17 May 2023 Japan House London Film Season – Focus on Ozu Yasujirō

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.
Hisho 2
02 Apr 2023 Soaring High: Talk and Calligraphy Demonstration with Kanazawa Shōko and Kanazawa Yasuko
Early Summer4
16 Feb - 17 May 2023 Japan House London Film Season – Focus on Ozu Yasujirō
Image for Kumihimo Workshops 2
16 Mar - 11 Jun 2023 An Introduction to Kumihimo Braiding
JHL Family Workshops Graphic2
10 - 16 Apr 2023 Japan House London Easter Family Workshops
Kanazawa Shoko and Yasuko2
01 Apr 2023 Tomo ni Ikiru (Living Together): Talk & Calligraphy Demonstration with Kanazawa Shōko and Kanazawa Yasuko
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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)
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
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Hara Kenya - Designer
Making Nuno Landing page banner
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 Yasujiro life and films
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.
The history of kumihimo 1
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 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 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
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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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