Notes from the Studio, Vol. 05
This week’s edition highlights our recent travels to Japan. Want more Japan recommendations? Drop us a note, and Sarah will send you her extensive Google Map!
01. Pastries Worth the Spotlight
We spent a morning at amam dacotan, a bakery born in Fukuoka by chef Ryota Hirako, now with beautiful spots in Tokyo and Kyoto.
In Kyoto, the bakery resides in a renovated machiya (a traditional townhouse), where creamy light falls across petrified wood and dried flowers. The pastry selection is presented like an abundant buffet with sweet and savory options that capture seasonal, local touches and inventive flavors. The upstairs café seating has beautiful lights that makes the long lines in the morning worth the wait.
📍 amam docatan on Google Maps
📸 Instagram: @amam_dacotan_kyoto
02. Materials: Tile, Copper, Wood
We were struck by the use of copper, tile, and wood woven throughout the country. Historic temples and contemporary spaces alike had copper detailing, hand-laid tile, and warm wood accents.
Copper in particular has deep roots in Japan: through the late 17th and early 18th centuries, it accounted for more than 60% of Japan’s exports, fueling both prosperity and modernization. Though the mines eventually closed in the 1970s, copper remains a defining accent in Japanese design.
What stood out most was how these materials weren’t just decorative, but purposeful: patinated metals that age gracefully, tiles adding texture and color, wood grounding spaces with warmth. These details were simple, tactile, and enduring.
03. Kyoto Antiques
Exploring antique shops is one of our favorite pastimes to get to know a city. Each piece tells a story of craft, culture, and character. Here are three spots we’d recommend in Kyoto:
Granpie
A collector’s dream. Founded in 1971, Granpie has spent decades sourcing rare and eclectic treasures from around the world. Every corner reveals something unexpected — from textiles to sculptural objects. Bonus: they have locations in Tokyo and Osaka!
🔗 Granpie Website
📍 Granpie on Google Maps
📸 Instagram: @granpie_shop
70B Antiques
More furniture-focused than Granpie, 70B is layered with vintage chairs, tables, and cabinets that showcase patina and proportion. It’s a destination for anyone looking for craftsmanship through the lens of mid-century and antique design. They also have an additional showroom and warehouse in Kyoto.
🔗 70B Antiques Website
📍 70B Antiques on Google Maps
📸 Instagram: @70b_inc
SOWGEN
Part gallery, part curiosity shop. From a four-foot abacus to a petite mohair stool, SOWGEN’s blend of whimsy and refined finds made us want to bring something home from every shelf.
🔗 SOWGEN Website
📍 SOWGEN on Google Maps
📸 Instagram: @sowgen_shijo
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