omakase presents
Discover Japan
Learn more about the various authentic, artisanal Japanese products we stock on omakase. From how to care for your high-quality Japanese knives, to learning more about the origins of the traditional craftsmanship behind the creation of the products. Let us guide you with our insights.
Videos











Films by
Irwin Wong
Irwin Wong is a Tokyo-based editorial and commercial photographer and director, originally from Melbourne. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Economist, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. He is also the author of two monographs on Japanese culture published by Gestalten: Handmade in Japan (2019) and The Obsessed (2022).
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From Imperial Court Tributes to Your Table: The Art of Nabeshima Porcelain
For centuries, the flawless porcelain of Okawachiyama was kept hidden from the public, reserved exclusively for Japan's ruling elite. Today, explore the thoughtful design and history behind the stu...
Kokeshi Dolls of Tohoku: Origins, Craft, and the Artisans Behind a Japanese Icon
Discover the Kokeshi, an iconic Japanese wooden doll born in Tohoku’s historic hot spring villages. 180-year legacy of master lathe craftsmanship, deep regional lineages, and the enduring spirit of...

Nabeshima Kosen Kiln: Inside the Valley of Japan’s Secret Kilns
Deep within the "Village of Secret Kilns," Nabeshima Kosen Kiln preserves a 350-year-old legacy. Discover the high-stakes mastery of fire required to create Nabeshima Celadon a jade-like porcelain ...

The Warmth of the Human Hand: Inside the World of Gen-emon Kiln
Experience the nearly 300-year heritage of Gen-emon Kiln. Discover how this Arita-ware workshop transforms traditional Ko-Imari porcelain into hand-painted masterpieces designed for the modern tabl...

The Unseen Dedication of Kobayashi Lacquerware
A Kobayashi piece isn’t painted; it’s built over six months. Through the 48-stage process, artisans layer and sand urushi lacquer to reveal a hidden pattern designed to evolve alongside its owner f...

Odate Magewappa by Ryobian: Living with Intention Through Japanese Craft
Discover the legacy of Odate Magewappa. From samurai heritage to Ryobian’s modern craftsmanship, explore how these hand-bent Akita Cedar bento boxes transform daily meals into a sustainable ritual ...

The Great Revival of Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko
A samurai-era vision reclaimed from a century of silence. Discover the rigorous technical resurrection of Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko, a miracle of Japanese craftsmanship, where light and shadow meet t...

Tosen Kiln: Preserving the History and Soul of Kiyomizu Ware
Discover the beauty of Kyoto’s ceramic tradition at Tosen Kiln where generations of craftsmanship, seasonal inspiration, and heartfelt stories come together in every handcrafted piece.

Suruga Bamboo Sensuji Zaiku: Celebrating Centuries of Bamboo Craft and Elegance
Born in Shizuoka, Suruga Bamboo Sensuji Zaiku transforms slender bamboo strips into graceful creations that reflect devotion, patience, and centuries-old Japanese craftsmanship, preserving a living...
Gift Guide

What Lasts: A Wedding Gift Guide
The most considered wedding gift is one made by a single pair of hands, in a tradition that has outlasted every trend. Six objects from Japanese artisans, chosen not for their appearance, but for h...

When Love Takes Form: A Japanese Perspective on Valentine’s Gifting
Move beyond fleeting gestures this season. Discover a curation of Japanese craft designed to endure, growing more meaningful as it moves through life with you, a collection of silent witnesses to a...

Curated Japanese Gifts: Thoughtful Stocking Stuffers for the Holidays
This holiday season, elevate gift-giving with curated Japanese treasures. From the meditative art of Kintsugi to the elegance of Mt. Fuji glassware and the warmth of Hidasuki Bizen mugs, thoughtful...

Discover the elegance and precise artistry of Mitsuboshi Cutlery, offering beginner-friendly Japanese knives and professional-grade blades. Perfect as a gift or for your own kitchen, each knife emb...

Celebrate the Holidays with the Timeless Tradition of Gifting Japanese Chopsticks
Discover the beauty and symbolism of Japanese chopsticks gifts that represent harmony, connection, and care. Explore our curated collection of handcrafted chopsticks that bring tradition, artistry,...

10 Best Traditional Japanese Wedding Gift Ideas for Couples
Uncover our 10 recommended traditional Japanese wedding gifts that blend cultural heritage with elegance. From exquisite chopstick sets to unique tea-ware, these thoughtful gifts will delight any c...

Celebrate Mother's Day with a Stunning Japanese Artisan Gift
For Mother's Day, why not consider a gift that goes beyond the ordinary? The captivating world of Japanese artisan tableware has exquisite Arita-ware, elegant Aizu Lacquerware trays and more. Surpr...

Japanese Gift Trends 2023: The Definitive Top 10 Must-Haves
Join us as we celebrate the bestsellers that have emerged as a testament to our dedication to share Authentic Japanese products with the world in the past year, and get ready to be thrilled by the ...

The Best Small Japanese Gift Ideas to Celebrate Every Moment
The act of presenting a gift carries a deeper significance than simply exchanging items; it is a profound gesture that symbolizes the importance of connections. Let's explore our curated collection...
Insights

A Path to the Japanese Gardens: Exploring Chisen, Karesansui, and Roji Garden Design
Discover the profound artistry of traditional Japanese gardens. Uncover how meticulous human intentionality shapes Chisen water ecosystems, Karesansui dry landscapes, and Roji tea paths to seamless...

Crafting Atmosphere through Japanese Textile
From the airy translucence of a noren to the hand-dyed depth of a tenugui, Japanese textiles offer a versatile alternative to static decor. Discover how these functional crafts transform modern int...

Incorporating Ryobian’s Odate Magewappa into Your Daily Life
Explore the modern versatility of Ryobian’s Odate Magewappa. From artisan bread preservation to elevated "Home Cafe" styling, discover how this 400-year-old Akita cedar craft transforms daily ritua...

Monochromatic Artistry of GATOMIKIO Chabako Tea Box
The all-black GATOMIKIO Chabako Tea Box strips away reality's noise through minimalist craftsmanship, creating an architectural sanctuary that allows the vibrant green matcha, to take center stage.

Discovering Kintsugi: An Authentic Introduction by Atelier hifumi
Embrace the philosophy of wabi-sabi with the Atelier hifumi Kintsugi Starter Kit. Guided by master artisan Mio Heki, learn to mend shattered ceramics with authentic urushi and gold, transforming br...

The New Year Tradition in Japan: Shaping the Year with Purpose and Prosperity
In Japan, the New Year is a quiet reset shaped by ritual, intention, and hope. Discover how Daruma and Maneki Neko guide the year ahead through craftsmanship, symbolism, and enduring tradition.

Elevate Winter Cooking with Banko Ware Donabe
Discover the timeless warmth of Banko ware donabe. Handcrafted by GINPO and Sajitouki, these earthen pots elevate winter meals, fostering connection, tradition, and the shared joy of gathering arou...

Gen-emon Kiln: The Living Art of Arita Porcelain
Discover the timeless elegance of Gen-emon Kiln’s Arita porcelain. Hand-painted by skilled artisans, each piece blends tradition and modern living, transforming everyday meals into cherished experi...

The Art of Kawaii Refined: Sanrio Edo Kimekomi Figurines
Discover Edo Kimekomi, a centuries-old Japanese craft, now meets modern kawaii culture through the beloved Sanrio characters Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin. Reimagined in their maneki-ne...
Recommends

Why Food Tastes Better at Your Favorite Restaurant
Discover how Gen-emon Kiln uses intentional design to bridge the gap between home cooking and fine dining. Explore the psychology of color and patterns that act as silent seasoning, ensuring every ...

Durability and Functionality of Kobayashi Lacquerware in the Modern Home
Discard the myth that lacquerware is fragile. Engineered with 48 layers of natural urushi, Kobayashi pieces are durable, antibacterial companions. This living material is designed to mature, harden...

Why Every Japanese Knife Collection Needs a Nakiri
Experience the surgical precision of the Japanese Nakiri knife. From Sakai’s heritage to Tosa’s master smiths, our curated collection transforms vegetable prep into an effortless art form, inspirin...

Japanese Incense: From Sacred Smoke to Everyday Elegance
Incense has long been a bridge between ritual and daily life in Japan. From timeless woods like sandalwood and agarwood to playful scents like cherry blossom and vanilla, each fragrance tells its o...

Japanese Sake Cups: A Cultural Guide to Ochoko, Guinomi, and More
Explore the unique world of Japanese sake cups from ochoko to masu and how each cup’s design, material, and tradition enhances the ritual of savoring sake.

The Poetry of Imperfection: Ishizuchi Knives and the Legacy of Handcrafted Steel
Ishizuchi knives challenge the idea that perfection is flawless. With raw textures and visible marks of craftsmanship, each blade is a living testament to tradition, practicality, and beauty born f...

The Nabemura Copper Tamagoyaki Pan: A Tool of Quiet Mastery
Discover the legacy behind Nabemura’s hand-forged copper tamagoyaki pan—loved by sushi chefs, crafted for precision, and built to last in both professional and home kitchens.

From Mountain to Teacup: Osada Tea’s Organic Legacy from Shizuoka
Osada Tea, nestled in Shizuoka’s mountains, carries on a legacy of organic cultivation. Led by third-generation tea master Natsumi Osada, the brand preserves tradition while crafting teas of remark...

Japanese Donabe Recipes to Warm Your Winter
Warm your winter with Japanese donabe recipes. Discover the art of clay pot cooking with nourishing hot pots, aromatic rice, and simple tofu dishes—perfect for creating authentic, comforting meals ...




