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On 22 June 2021 Japan House London will celebrate its third anniversary as the cultural home of Japan in the UK, located on Kensington High Street.   

Opened in 2018, and formally opened by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in the same year, Japan House has since welcomed almost one million visitors through its doors, hosting 10 exhibitions showcasing the works of Japan’s leading creative experts and running over 320 events.

The success of the Japan House exhibition programme – which has displayed the work of artists from a variety of fields including internationally-renowned manga artist, Urasawa Naoki, textile designer Sudō Reiko and celebrated architect Sou Fujimoto - has resulted in numerous cultural, educational and commercial partnerships. Since opening, Japan House has also collaborated with the likes of the British Museum, V&A, Chatham House and SOAS University of London, among other notable organisations, on popular events such as Studio Ghibli screenings, sake tastings, symposiums and talks. 

Its next exhibition ,Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow, will see artefacts and exhibits from the 1964 Olympics which made Japan a celebrated location for design and innovation across the globe.

Attendees to the hundreds of events held at Japan House have been able to listen to talks from leaders in fashion, architecture, textiles, art, travel and other disciplines, while workshops in Noh, rakugo (comic storytelling), calligraphy, drawing and Ainu crafts have allowed visitors to leave Japan House with a range of new skills. Musical performances from artists such as Oki and Shimizu Mieko have also been included in the eclectic mix of offerings taking place in the Lower Ground Floor event space. 

During mandated closures in 2020 and 2021, Japan House has taken advantage of going online to offer a series of recorded events exploring topics such as sake, shōchū, architecture, textiles and doll-making. It has also offered virtual tours of its exhibitions, with visitors able to enter the Japan House Gallery and peruse exhibits from the comfort of home. As of April 2021, The Shop on the Ground Floor of the building has also launched remote purchasing via the website, with many of its best-selling, curated products available to ship within the UK.

On the first floor, AKIRA restaurant, headed by chef Shimizu Akira, has celebrated the launch of a Japanese take on an afternoon tea and the introduction of several exhibition-related cocktails and menu items.

Michael Houlihan, Director General of Japan House London, said:

“Our first three years have presented some unique challenges, but also an exciting new vision for the future of Japan House. Our strong partnerships and the creativity of our Team have enabled us to build a more inclusive offering for a wider audience in the UK and beyond. Whether real or virtual, stories told by Japan about Japan remain the cornerstone of Japan House.”

To celebrate the special occasion, Japan House is offering birthday gifts for the 3rd, 33rd and 333rd visitors on 22 June, as well as mochi for the first 50 people to enter the doors. Newsletter subscribers will also get 10% off all purchases in The Shop, as well a free beer at AKIRA restaurant (Ts and Cs apply). 

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About Japan House

Japan House London is a cultural destination offering visitors the opportunity to experience the best and latest from Japan. Located on London’s Kensington High Street, the experience is an authentic encounter with Japan, engaging and surprising even the most knowledgeable guests. Presenting the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology, it deepens the visitor’s appreciation of all that Japan has to offer. Part of a global initiative led by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are two other Japan Houses, one in Los Angeles and the other in São Paulo.

Arrange a visit

A visit to Japan House London’s Gallery currently re-quires pre-booking a free entry ticket. Find out more about pre-booking here. 

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