From Kyoto to Shoreditch: How Japanese Crafts Took Shape in the Heart of London

Japanese Crafts Arrive in London

Japanese craftsman Nakagawa has opened his first European branch in the British capital, London. The store’s architectural design was created by Jones Neville, while A Practice for Everyday Life handled the visual identity.

Centuries-Old Roots

Nakagawa’s origins date back to 1716, rooted in a long-standing craft tradition that emphasizes the harmony of beauty and functionality. For over three centuries, the brand has upheld its philosophy of developing everyday tools in ways that become more valuable with time and use.

Diversity in Crafts and Products

More than 800 artisans from across Japan contribute to the making of Nakagawa’s products. The exhibits include a wide range of household items such as:

• Traditional aprons
• Tea sets
• Brooms
• Bento boxes

This diversity reflects the richness of Japanese culture, highlighting attention to daily details and the beauty of simplicity.

Regional and Global Expansion

In addition to over 60 directly operated stores in Japan, Nakagawa has been expanding its presence through pop-up shops in major Asian cities such as:

• Taipei
• Shanghai
• Beijing
• Seoul

In London, the pop-up store offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience how Japanese craftsmanship can be integrated into contemporary European lifestyles.

An Extension of the Japanese Experience

The pop-up store in Shoreditch, running for ten months, is a continuation of a previous project at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. That store was designed by Yosuke Hayashi, from a Tokyo-based studio, and opened in 2024.

Design in Tokyo: Crimson Wooden Blocks

The Narita store employed a distinctive display system built from crimson-colored wooden blocks shaped like large suitcases, symbolizing travel and mobility. This visual solution allowed the shop to blend seamlessly with the airport environment while sparking the curiosity of passersby.

The Challenge in London: Just 5 Square Meters

By contrast, Jones Neville was tasked with designing the London store within a very limited space of only five square meters. Drawing on his expertise in furniture, product, exhibition, and architectural design, the primary challenge was to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing, while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding Shoreditch environment.

Searching for a Local Identity

Co-founder Simon Jones explains that the goal behind the store’s design was to make it feel aligned with London’s urban context. The focus was not only on evoking Japanese craftsmanship, but also on capturing the spirit of the place hosting it.

The Dishcloth as a Starting Point

The client presented the designers with one of the brand’s iconic dishcloths, made from mosquito netting and folded into four with a distinctive diagonal stitch. This simple piece became the primary source of inspiration for the design concept.

Blending Japan and Victoria

Jones and Jack Neville drew inspiration from the dishcloth’s grid structure and merged it with the octagonal Victorian pavilion in the nearby Boundary Garden. This fusion gave the design a dual dimension:

• Japanese roots through the symbolic reference to traditional textiles.
• Local identity through its connection to a prominent architectural landmark and cultural gathering spot in East London.

Merging Forms in the Interior Design

In the store’s interior layout, the designers sought to merge Japanese symbols with the local structure. The result is a series of interconnected geometric elements that give the space a distinct character.

The Octagonal Base and Hidden Walls

Along the edges of the room, a low octagonal base was constructed, surrounded by wall panels designed to conceal storage units and display shelves. This solution made efficient use of the tight space while preserving visual simplicity.

A Central Display Table

At the center of the room stands an octagonal table for product display, reinforcing the presence of multifaceted geometry within the store and unifying the space as an integrated whole.

Cork Flooring: A Grid of Squares and Triangles

The flooring was not just a backdrop, but part of the symbolic design itself. It employed a grid system of square units with diagonal lines, directly inspired by the Japanese dishcloth. Some of the units transformed into triangles, creating visual harmony with the octagonal forms of the base and the table.

Reshaping the Room

The North London–based duo clad the room in carpentry that gave it a clearer, more defined square form. They also added smart storage units within recesses to maximize space. The sales counter was set at a 45-degree angle to create fluid movement, while a small stockroom was transformed into a fitting room for visitors.

Wood Selection: Between East and West

Instead of replicating traditional Japanese carpentry, typically crafted from cedar or cypress, Jones Neville chose European sycamore. This wood is distinguished by its light color and uniform grain, sourced locally from Warwickshire in the West Midlands, England.

Practical and Symbolic Applications

The sycamore wood was used in:

• Work surfaces
• The central table
• Storage unit doors

According to Jones, this choice “felt like a fitting nod to the quietness of Japanese joinery,” blending British locality with Eastern calmness in a single material.

Visual Details and Spatial Identity

A Practice for Everyday Life helped reinforce the store’s identity through subtle visual touches, including hand-painted signage on the semi-circular glass above the entrance door, as well as an interior wall panel. These simple gestures gave the store a distinctive presence that blends elegance with craftsmanship.

Diversity of Products on Display

The Shoreditch pop-up showcases around 500 items, including:

• Textiles
• Ceramics
• Kitchenware
• Home accessories
• Clothing

Exclusive Location-Based Editions

A highlight of the store is two exclusive limited-edition dishcloth designs inspired by the nearby Columbia Road Flower Market. These designs reinterpret Nakagawa’s renowned Hana-Fukin dishcloths, made from mosquito netting fabric. Valued for their lightness, quick-drying nature, and high absorbency, they are perfectly suited for use in modern kitchens.

An Experience Beyond Shopping

The store is not limited to product displays, it also offers educational workshops that reflect the depth of Japanese culture, including:

• Traditional tea ceremonies
• The art of Kintsugi (golden repair of pottery)
• Traditional shaved ice making

In this way, the London pop-up becomes a platform for cultural exchange, where visitors encounter products, traditions, and ideas in one complete experience.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Shoreditch pop-up offers visitors a unique experience, providing an intimate look into the fine details of Japanese craftsmanship within a carefully considered architectural framework. Yet, despite its striking presence, some may feel that the limited space does not allow the products or activities enough freedom for display and exploration.

The attempt to blend Japanese symbols with London’s local environment occasionally comes across as more of a stylistic gesture than a genuine integration. Similarly, the reliance on exclusive editions and the sheer number of products can create a double-edged impression, at once visually enriching yet somewhat overwhelming.

As such, the project remains an intriguing step, but one that also leaves ample room for deeper engagement in presenting the essence of Japanese crafts with greater clarity and depth.

Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team

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