In the past couple of years, Japanese design philosophy and principles have been discovered by the rest of us, and since then they have slowly but surely taken over the world. There’s something about products with a Japanese touch that instantly makes you feel at ease. They have a sense of warmth and tranquility to them, one that spreads in the space that they’re placed into. There’s something surreal and relaxing about Japanese-inspired products, that just makes you want to introduce some minimalism into your life. And we’ve got you covered with a collection of innovative Japanese designs – from furniture to stationery! Whether you’re looking for high-quality Japanese towels or the latest G-Shock watch with Japanese elements – these beautifully designed products are all you need to introduce some Japanese zen and peace into your daily life!
1. The Levitating Pen
Much like its name,
Why is it noteworthy?
When done writing, you close the pen’s magnetic cap with a satisfying click and position the pen in its holder that has been magnetized to keep the pen floating in that position. To add to the fun, a simple twist leaves the pen spinning in its place for a good 20 seconds, allowing you to interact with the pen on a whole new level!
What we like
- The pen is super fun to interact with
- Quite easy to hold and write with
- Spinning the pen in certain intervals can be a stress buster
What we dislike
- We wonder how ergonomic or comfortable would the pen be to use
2. The Outside In
This multifunctional shape-shifting table is called
Why is it noteworthy?
Japanese zen gardens have supplied ceaseless inspiration for designers. While the sheer meditative quality of zen gardens is enough to insight into some new ideas, the artful design of zen gardens rakes its own creative vision for designers. Melbourne-based furniture, lighting, and object design company Sabu Studio found its own creative vision by way of Japanese zen gardens when designing the minimalist Outside In table.
What we like
- Features a sinuous timber surface that resembles the hand-raked grooves of a zen garden
- Outside In is a crafty piece of furniture that would look right at home in hospitality common spaces or even event halls
What we dislike
- No complaints!
3. The Bed Hanger Rack
Called
Why is it noteworthy?
In addition to the hanging storage and shelving extensions, the hanger rack gets slightly more interesting with its assembly: possible to match the layout of your room. The rack can be installed alongside the shorter front or the longer side of the bed; so that it can attach without having to change the placement of the existing bed.
What we like
- Allows you to effortlessly store everyday wear on hangers around the bed
- Lets you skip the trouble of folding and sorting the clothes in a regular cupboard
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The Trisqucle Scissors
If you’re looking for a pair of scissors that will do their job, while looking pretty on your workdesk then you’ve found the right product.
Why is it noteworthy?
Aside from cutting things, the accessories can also be used as shape templates with various sizes of circles and as a ruler and compass in case you need it for your office work or school work. The items are made from steel and have various colors for some parts like the holder, circle shapes, etc.
What we like
- Revamps the traditional scissor
- Functional + good looking
What we dislike
- The design may be too modern and complicated to use for some people
5. Jakobsson Lamps
Japanese lighting brand Yamagiwa and late Swedish designer Hans-Agne Jakobsson partnered up to create a collection of stunning minimal lamps that cast a light “reminiscent of a bonfire”. They are called
Why is it noteworthy?
The lamps beautifully merge Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, and in turn, pay an ode to the utilization of wood, and warm-toned colors that give a cozy and inviting appeal to the products. In fact, the lamps are manufactured by Japanese artisans. The artisans artfully dry and bend the pine into intriguing shapes, while paying special attention to the growth rings found in timber.
What we like
- A beautiful infusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design
- Comes in three interesting variations
What we dislike
- No complaints!
6. The G-B001 Line
G-Shock recently added
Why is it noteworthy?
The capsule design is inspired by those toy capsules that you get in vending machines in Japan you never know what is inside them until you actually open them.
What we like
- The detachable bezels for all these models of the G-B001 lets you play around with the watch’s look
What we dislike
- It’s only available in Japan for now
7. The Furoshiki Denim Bag
Blue Ainery’s Furoshiki denim bag was created by using the traditional dyeing and weaving methods of Japan. The compact fashion storage accessory pays tribute to the history and tradition of Japan, which many still follow and apply even today. The bag is an example of how the hard-earned lessons of the past can be used to make something beautiful and sustainable in the present.
Why is it noteworthy?
Almost everything about
What we like
- It has a minimalist charm to it
- Its uncomplicated shape leaves enough room for plenty of items inside
- Utilizes traditional Japanese methods and techniques
What we dislike
- The design might seem basic and old-fashioned to some
8. The Japarcana Imabari Towels
Why is it noteworthy?
The Japanese towel industry based in Imabari has long solved this problem, and Japarcana wants to bring that to the rest of the world. Simple and time-proven weaving techniques, high-quality cotton, and strict quality standards all come together to create a towel with excellent water absorption, soft texture, and long-lasting durability. These towels have the imabari towel stamp of approval, something that isn’t just given out to any towel brand.
What we like
- The towel’s label utilizes an ukiyo-e illustration depicting traditional Japanese baths, clearly pointing to the towel’s primary function
- Economical compared to other premium towels on the market
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. The Chouchin
Styled to look like a traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern,
Why is it noteworthy?
The candle comes made from two different grades of wax, one on the inside, which burns the way a normal candle would, and one on the outside, which serves as the candle’s exterior, mimicking the effects of a lantern by diffusing the light that passes through it. As the inner wax candle continues to burn, the flame glows right through the outer shell, getting diffused into a gentle, warm light in the process.
What we like
- The outer shell uses a patented non-melting wax, which lends a beautiful subtle translucency to the candle as the wick burns downwards
- On the inside sits a more traditional candle, with a burning time of 60 hours – offering a few months’ worths of light with daily usage
What we dislike
- No complaints!
10. The Japanese Cypress Vās Wood Diffuser
Why is it noteworthy?
The vās itself is handcrafted from the Japanese hinoki cypress tree, giving you not just a natural oil diffuser but also a decorative object to match your wooden theme if you have one.
What we like
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Doesn’t need any electricity or batteries to function
What we dislike
- No complaints!
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