Thinking / 4 min read
Thoughts on Japan
Thinking / 4 min read
Thoughts on Japan
Simplicity, bullet trains and raw fish. There are many things people think of when they think of Japan. Following a recent trip, this post reflects on some highlights and observations from a more creative viewpoint.
By Bob Mytton
I recently returned from visiting Japan for the first time. I found it a fascinating and welcoming place. And particularly good for anyone who loves design or works in the creative sector. Here are 5 things that really stood out.
1. Creative technology
In the bigger cities, the use of technology and creativity was always present. A real highlight of the trip was visiting teamLab Planets in Tokyo – an art facility that utilises digital technology, with massive ‘body immersive’ artworks. It’s known for sections where you have to walk in water, sometimes shin-deep, as in the image below, where you ‘interact’ with digital fish (Koi) and other imagery. Another is a room with a garden filled with countless orchids blooming in the air, that rise and fall. This incredible ‘digital’ experience is a temporary exhibition and is currently scheduled to close at the end of 2027. Another museum by the same team is teamLab Borderless. You can see more here: https://www.teamlab.art/
Another example was this stunning Water clock in Osaka station that displays the time using ‘space printer’ technology that can individually control the lengths of each drop of water to create letters, numbers and other designs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
2. Nature saves the day
Biomimicry takes ideas and systems from nature to help solve human problems – and helped refine Japan’s bullet trains. Super fast, efficient and seemingly always on time, it’s hard to believe Bullet trains were first introduced 60 years ago. They were so fast though that they created a sonic boom when it came to tunnels. So, mimicking the kingfisher and the way it can enter water at speed with very little splash, the front of the train was redesigned. This not only reduced the noise, but the trains were subsequently faster and more efficient. They also look incredibly cool.
3. Functional. Beautiful. Durable.
Carpentry, knives, ceramics… Japanese craftsmanship is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, blending traditional techniques with modern innovation. Rooted in a deep cultural respect for precision and quality, artisans spend years mastering their craft, with many techniques passed down through generations. This is apparent in the design of the many temples, teahouses and traditional homes, with their complex joinery techniques (no nails or screws) resulting in functional, beautiful and durable structures. And the same is true of many products.
If in Kobe, check out the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum (see below). Beautiful architecture, an amazing collection and a fascinating insight into the history of Japanese craftsmanship. It really brought to life the deep cultural respect for precision and quality, with many techniques passed down through generations – and an emphasis on simplicity, natural beauty and harmony with nature.
4. A sense of order
Carpentry, knives, ceramics… Japanese craftsmanship is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, blending traditional techniques with modern innovation. Rooted in a deep cultural respect for precision and quality, artisans spend years mastering their craft, with many techniques passed down through generations. This is apparent in the design of the many temples, teahouses and traditional homes, with their complex joinery techniques (no nails or screws) resulting in functional, beautiful and durable structures. And the same is true of many products.
If in Kobe, check out the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum (see below). Beautiful architecture, an amazing collection and a fascinating insight into the history of Japanese craftsmanship. It really brought to life the deep cultural respect for precision and quality, with many techniques passed down through generations – and an emphasis on simplicity, natural beauty and harmony with nature.
5. A sense of crazy
Cats in hats, food replica shops and a cafe where you can enjoy your coffee with a micro-pig. The flip side of the sense of order were the sometimes crazy, different and innovative sights, sounds and ideas we kept spotting. For example, the enormous main Tokyo railway station was on a different level – many, many levels in fact, up and down – with underground shopping malls seemingly in every direction. But while at first incredibly confusing, with the way-finding graphics in Japanese and English, the design system worked (metro graphics example below), once you got used to it. And you could see it on street level, with different stores trying to out do each other, such as one of the main streets in Osaka (last image below).
