Japanese culture, cuisine and nature are flourishing on High Street Kensington this summer. Hot from last year’s reputation as the home of Sumo, the destination has an impressive Japanese inspired line-up, which gets underway with a bang on 23-25th July at the Hyper Japan event at Kensington Olympia.
There are also two stellar exhibitions: NIGO: From Japan with Love at the Design Museum and Kyotographie at Japan House London (with specially themed cocktail creations to enhance each experience). Plus, the opportunity to be immersed in Japanese inspired nature within Holland Park’s incredible Kyoto Garden. Diners can also enjoy the full flavour of Japanese feasting with an impressive range of restaurants from grab-and-go sushi and sashimi to properly authentic dining, including a great value monthly changing set dish at Japan House London’s refined AKIRA Restaurant, which includes rice and miso soup. For more information see www.highstreetkensington.com
Japanese exhibitions from fashion to photography
There are two notable exhibitions running throughout the summer including the Design Museum’s NIGO: From Japan with Love – a retrospective which focuses on the impressive career of the trailblazing designer and creative director. Exploring his eclectic vision from streetwear to vintage Americana and traditional craft, it features over 700 objects. Highlights include a recreation of NIGO’s teenage bedroom and a life-size glass tea house. There’s also a special Japanese cocktail menu in the venue’s Design Kitchen and a dedicated exhibition shop offering exclusive items to buy including the collaborative Nike x Nigo x Design Museum apparel range. www.designmuseum.org
While at Japan House London, Kyotographie is a thought-provoking free exhibition, which features works by two of Japan’s most influential photographers – Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai. The exhibition includes Kawada’s seminal 1965 photobook Chizu (The Map), a powerful reflection on postwar Japan, alongside works from The Last Cosmology, which explores his fascination with celestial imagery.
Marking her first major UK presentation, Iwane Ai showcases her award-winning series Kipuka, documenting the lives of Japanese immigrants in Hawaii as well as works from A New River, capturing hauntingly illuminated cherry blossoms in Japan’s Tōhoku region. Visitors can also enjoy a special cocktail creation available throughout the exhibition period at the in-house AKIRA Restaurant, with exhibition-goers benefiting from a 20% discount in the restaurant when they book free tickets online. www.japanhouselondon.uk
Holland Park’s Japanese horticultural oasis at Kyoto Garden
Lovers of everything Japanese can also explore Holland Park’s tranquil Kyoto Garden, which offers a gorgeously photogenic slice of Japanese horticulture. See the seasonally colourful ‘Sakura’ blossom tree displays and take in the peaceful beauty of the rock waterfall, the pond with its koi carp, and Japanese plants and foliage. For more information and to follow an audio tour around the gardens visit: https://highstreetkensington.co.uk/parks-gardens
A Taste of Japan
For a taste of Japan, for a refined dining experience, located on the first floor of Japan House London, AKIRA Restaurant is built around its ‘trinity of cooking’ bringing together the finest food, tableware and presentation.
Dishes at Akira, Japan House London
Menu highlights include a monthly changing set dish which includes rice and miso soup. While the a la carte offers imaginative sushi and chargrilled kushiyaki skewers of wagyu beef, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetables. The cocktail bar serves sake and original cocktails crafted from rare Japanese ingredients. https://akira-restaurant.co.uk
Also offering elevated dining, Yashin Sushi is an upmarket open-kitchen restaurant which focuses on a central seated-counter in which diners can enjoy the spectacle of food being prepared in front of them including the skill of sushi rolling. And, for a family-run experience, Konjiki offers contemporary sushi, including an afternoon tea experience and Thursday sushi meets jazz nights. Those looking for a sweet treat will love the signature selection of Japanese patisserie at Sakurado including the delightful matcha mille crepe and fresh mochi.
Hyper Japan heads to Kensington Olympia 23-25th July
Finally, attracting more the 30k visitors the three-day Hyper Japan event, staged at Kensington Olympia 23-25th July is jam packed with all things Japanese. The event introduces the diversity of contemporary Japan, from manga and anime, to music, fashion, food, traditional culture, gaming, technology and tourism – alongside a fantastic line-up of exhibitors, stage performances, workshops and seminars. Tickets from £28.35pp with under 10yrs free. For more information www.hyperjapan.co.uk
For High Street Kensington’s full Japanese offering visit www.highstreetkensington.co.uk
