when cavorting around kyoto, why not add a contemporary element to your urban culture itinerary? check out the kyoto art center for the final days of point, an interesting exhibition that brings together works from korean and japanese artists with the intention to form an international network and to have them meet up with exchanging art critics and curators from both home and abroad. participating artists include ahn kanghyun, megumi matsubara and ahn doojin. location: k.a.c. auditorium, 546-2 yamabushiyama-cho [nakagyo-ku].

capsule hotels are a typical japanese phenomenon. consisting of stacked modular units [roughly measuring 2 x 1 meter], they feature basic amenities such as tv and radio, and are mostly used by ‘stranded’ commuters. this cheap hospitality concept was first introduced in the late 70s in osaka by starchitect kisho kurokawa and remains popular to this day.

opening next december in kyoto is 9h [nine hours], a next-generation capsule hotel created by designer masaaki hiromura and interior designer takaaki nakamura. the result is a capsule hotel concept that fuses modern design, comfort and new technology. this technology, dubbed sleeping environment system, has been developed in collaboration with panasonic denko and aims to increase the guest’s well-being.

and you know what? you don’t have to wait until the end of the year to take a closer look as a special exhibition dedicated to the 9h capsule hotel, opens at tokyo’s axis gallery on wed - aug 19. location: 5-17-1 roppongi, 4th floor [roppongi].




© design studio s

popular cult fashion label f.i.l. expands in japan, opening a flagship store in kyoto. the new store features the same hot visvim merchandise as the harajuku mothership and for this opening there’s a special store-exclusive pair of suede folk virgil boots available for the fans. location: 352 shimo osaka-cho [nakagyo-ku].



© f.i.l.

osaka purveyor of edgy fashion dog comes to kyoto, opening a store there on feb 28 while local retailer cambio launches the renewal of its own kyoto store. both stores throw a massive party the city hasn’t seen in months! it’s all happening at sai on fri – feb 27 [pm-laaate!]. lineup includes dj sets by these new puritans, mr. paul james, taku-hero and donguri. location: sai, forum building, 5th floor, 220 nabeya-cho [nakagyo-ku].

tokishirazu, one of tokyo’s best high-end menswear stores, temporarily sets up shop in downtown kyoto [until dec 28]. the store mainly carries items of the incertus label complimented by a selection of japanese and foreign brands, including various sneaker collections. location: 230-1 eiraku-cho, nakakyo-ku [downtown].

© tokishirazu