Hotelier Not A Hotel has revealed its latest guesthouse will take the form of a human-sized Pokémon Poké Ball, nestled beside a lake in Hokkaido, Japan. More about Not A Hotel reveals design for giant Poké Ball guest room in Japan
Trapezoidal motifs appear throughout this concrete condominium block in Tokyo, designed by Japanese studio Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture. More about Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture uses trapezoid motifs for concrete housing in Tokyo
An "angled, folded form" clad in charred cedar defines this holiday home, designed by Japanese studio Keiji Ashizawa Design to embrace the surrounding landscape while maintaining its inhabitants' privacy. More about Keiji Ashizawa clads House in Yatsugatake in charred cedar
Skylit ceilings and zigzagging staircases animate this tall, skinny home and ceramics studio in Japan, completed by local studio Tato Architects. More about Tato Architects combines skinny home with ceramics studio in Kyoto
Skylights, an internal light well and silver-painted ceilings pull light deep into House in Shichiku, a home in Kyoto designed by local studio Tato Architects. More about Tato Architects uses silver-painted ceilings to draw light into Kyoto home
Around 1,800 people have pulled the keep of the historic Hirosaki Castle two metres closer to its original location in Japan's Aomori prefecture, following restoration works. More about Volunteers tug 360-tonne castle tower towards its original site in Japan
Boutique hotel brand Aethos has opened its first London outpost with interiors designed by Astet Studio in a Ron Arad Associates building that was formerly home to Nobu Hotel Shoreditch. More about Aethos London Shoreditch designed using an "East meets East" approach
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban has completed a wellness hotel on Awaji Island, Japan. More about Shigeru Ban unveils coastal wellness retreat on Awaji Island
Danish amusement park Tivoli has unveiled Hikari, a new area informed by Japanese cities that features art by Takashi Murakami and was designed to be "genuinely respectful of its origin". More about Tivoli creates theme park Japanese neighbourhood in central Copenhagen
Architecture studio Kii has designed an ice cream shop on Miyakojima Island, Japan, featuring a pink ceiling, a limestone counter and perforated concrete tiles. More about Kii uses local limestone and colourful "melting" stools for SR Ice Cream Miyakojima
In this week's comments update, readers are discussing Yano Aoyama Architecture Design's public toilet for the Tobe Zoological Park in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. More about "Japan takes this seriously" says commenter
Japanese vending machine manufacturer SDRS has developed a human-sized, stainless-steel fridge to stave off heatstroke amid the increasingly sweltering summers brought on by climate change. More about "Human refrigerator" provides escape from deadly heatwaves
Japanese practice Yano Aoyama Architecture Design has completed a public toilet for the Tobe Zoological Park in Ehime Prefecture, creating two chiselled concrete blocks that are topped by a thin roof of naturally curved cedar. More about Yano Aoyama Architecture Design tops public toilet in Japan with sweeping timber canopy
Local architecture studio HYAN has renovated Green Sandwich House, a 1970s home in Japan, using a palette of timber, plaster and tiles to bring "warmth and texture" to a flexible, open living space. More about HYAN renovates 70s home in Japan around "single, continuous" living space
Architect Kenta Hirayama has designed an "unpretentious house" in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, which features a metal facade and deliberately simple gabled roof. More about Kenta Hirayama clads House in Kinuta in steel-sheet facade
Japanese studio Kenta Sano & Associates has completed a four-storey building in Tokyo that that has a glass-fronted dance studio on its lower floors and a house on top. More about Tokyo Ballet House combines ballet studio and home
Designer Keiji Ashizawa has turned a former hostel in Shintomicho, Tokyo, into Tomi Ginza, a boutique hotel with a single suite on each of its floors that was designed to fulfil a need for group accommodation in the city. More about Eight-room Tokyo hotel designed to feel like staying "at the home of a tasteful friend"
Design studio Nendo's founder Oki Sato has announced that he will hand over leadership of the company to managing director Akihiro Ito, while the role of chief designer "will be entrusted to talented young designers". More about Oki Sato steps down from Nendo leadership role
In this roundup, author Ari Seligmann spotlights 11 iconic houses in Japan captured by some of the country's leading photographers, who are the focus of his latest book, Ka Me Ra. More about Eleven iconic Japanese houses seen "through the photographer's lens"
The annual Osaka Art and Design event returns for its fourth edition with creative displays at venues around Osaka. Here, we round up seven designs and installations not to miss. More about Seven highlights from Osaka Art and Design 2026