Tokyo! Feeding the Eyes and the Stomach
Grilled Eel Over Rice (Unagi Don)
Grilled eel over rice (unagi don) is one of Japan's iconic dishes. Rich, fatty eel is brushed with a sweet soy-based sauce and grilled until beautifully caramelized. So satisfying. It's hard not to love.
Unagi Yoneyama Restaurant, Tokyo
Kokeshi dolls—simple, hand-painted wooden figures—are another Japanese classic. The traditional patterns and color combinations are eye-catching and warm. I especially love the painted faces. With just a few strokes, each doll seems to take on a character of its own.
Traditional Japanese dolls dressed in beautiful kimono and intricate fabrics—another example of Japan's tradition of craftsmanship.
Shikki // Japanese Lacquerware. The two darker pieces are super-glossy and reflective, while the yellow piece has a soft, milky sheen. This softer look is the result of blending mineral pigments into the lacquer process.
More Lovely Objects
Yet More Good Design
Artist Fumi Yanagimoto
Yuri Himuro Snip Snap Cut Cloth - Parts of the weave are engineered so they can be carefully cut (“snipped”) and the fabric reveals a hidden second pattern or color underneath.
By pure chance, I came across BURNING SWEET LIFE – Connection to Hope (希望への接続) exhibition by Daisuke Sawai.
Animated installation by Nana Kawabata (川畑 那奈), exhibited at Spiral Garden, Tokyo, summer 2026.
The dessert was also a work of art.
