Masatoshi Izumi met sculptor Isamu Noguchi in 1964 and assisted with his stone carvings for twenty-five years. In 1972, he built Izumi-ya as his private residence. The fine lattice of the modern shoji and the walls of massive stone are monumental. Though the Izumi house is not open to the public, his sculpture Mei can be viewed outside the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya shopping complex, while Shimatachi is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Shimatachi can be viewed outside the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya shopping complex, while Shimatachi is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Opened in 1962, this cafe was a haunt of Kagawa artists like Isamu Noguchi. Designed by Tadashi Yamamoto, a Kagawa architect and apprentice of Kenzo Tange. Inside, the stone walls feature prototype relief carvings created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair as part of the Japan Pavilion (designed by Kunio Maekawa). Flanking the entrance are stone speaker cabinets each made from three tons of “aji ishi” granite. Cafe tables created by Sakura Woodworkers. A trove of Japanese mid-century style.

2-4 Konyamachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa

Founded in 1948. An encounter in 1964 with American furniture designer George Nakashima led to wider recognition. With only one workshop in Japan, these woodworkers continue to systematically produce iconic designs like the Conoid Chair. Works can be purchased in the showroom, with more on display in the adjoining George Nakashima Memorial Gallery.

1132-1 Omachi, Murecho, Takamatsu, Kagawa