Arriving this November, Volume Three will celebrate Japan's enduring relationship with cedar. Known as 

 in Japanese, the tall branches of these sacred trees – a symbol of Shintoism – have long been intertwined with the spiritual culture of the country, believed to provide a means for 

In this issue we reflect upon on how Japan’s perception of cedar has evolved and changed from ancient appreciations to its view as somewhat of a modern day menace. We contemplate how we may effectively use cedar to become more sustainably attuned with Japan’s forested places and we visit creatives and designers whose visions are inspiring positive change and producing exquisite products along the way.

Volume Three is a celebration of artisanship and traditions and an embrace of contemporary cedar within our everyday life. Head to our online store to pre-order Volume Three now. 

Pre-Order Volume Three Now

INSIDE VOLUME 3

 Reconstructing and revitalising ancient temples is an established practice in Japan but Heritage Homes made it their mission to bring forgotten kominka (traditional Japanese wooden houses built before 1950) into the fold.

Heritage Homes: Restoring Kominka Piece by Piece

Located in multicultural London, nearly 6,000 miles away from Japan, omakase restaurant Bisushima serves luxury Japanese food that matches its sleek, sophisticated, and minimalist concept. We were lucky enough to nab a seat at the one-night residency of Michelin-starred chef Taku Watanabe from Sushi JIN in Paris, where he partnered with sake sommelier Natsuki Kikyua of The Museum of Sake. Together, they shared a taste of Japan’s centuries-old culinary traditions, seamlessly blending the art of sushi and sake in one sitting.

Sushi and Sake

Pathways lit by stone lanterns greet travellers to Mt. Shigi in Nara Prefecture. A scene that could have been plucked from the animated pages of Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, himself. Silence, save for the last few chirps from nestled birds before a night of slumber, is the setting in which you find Gyokuzoin, a shukubo clinging to the side of the mountain.

Sojourning With Monks On Mt. Shigi

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Having been happily ‘stuck’ in Japan for the last 18 months, it’s been a joy to visit some of the more remote locations across the five main islands. One of those islands being Hokkaido, Japan’s second largest, and one famed for its bubbling hot springs, active volcanoes and seafood delicacies.

Natural Discoveries: A Hokkaido Road Trip

Driving into the mountains, roads bend around rocky ravines flecked with uninterrupted lines of cedar. Two-kilometre-long tunnels snake deep into mountains and emerge passing timber yards full of cut logs with vistas of farmed fields opening up the space between a backdrop of shadowy peaks.

Portraits of Miyama

The picturesque scenery of Iya Valley, Tokushima prefecture, is popular for its autumn foliage, though it’s pretty spectacular at any time of the year. 