On 30 October, this year’s edition of Swedish Style Japan opens, running in parallel with DESIGNART TOKYO. Around 50 Swedish companies and designers are travelling to Japan to take part in a programme of architecture, design and music – in the form of exhibitions, talks, performances, networking events and a dedicated matchmaking session at Business Sweden. Swedish Style began more than 25 years ago, thanks in large part to the commitment and long-standing support of Japanese partners and friends of Swedish contemporary design and culture.
DESIGNART TOKYO celebrates its 10th anniversary and this year has a unique exhibition venue for five days: a stretch of elevated expressway in the heart of Ginza, KK Expressway AUTOBAHN. The Swedish Style exhibitors presented at the main venue this year are: Borås Cotton, Bolon, Elektron, Design House Stockholm, Just Wood, Jord av Mylla, OneWell, Michelle Eismann and Camilla Tarandi – together with a tribute to Lisa Larson. Selected participants, including Anders Färdig (Design House Stockholm) will take part in the annual PechaKucha Night on the DESIGNART stage. The Swedish music technology company Elektron will also contribute musical performances.
The collaboration with The Conran Shop Japan continues this year. During the same period, they have invited several Swedish brands to their original store in Shinjuku under the theme LESSONS: Tyringe Konsthantverk, SEKT, Stackelbergs, String Furniture, Skultuna, Contem, Verk, Atonemo and Fine Little Day. In addition, a selection from Åke Axelsson’s Nomad series, produced in Japan, will be shown. “LESSONS brings together carefully selected Swedish design and explores what Scandinavian design can teach us about how we live today,” says The Conran Shop Japan.
At Konno Hachimangu Shrine in Shibuya, there will be a performance and stage conversation with the Swedish multidisciplinary artist Mylla Ek of Jord av Mylla and the author Sofia Nyblom. They will be joined by the Japanese choreographer Shintaro Hirahara for a conversation about the encounter between Japanese and Swedish culture. On 3 November, the Swedish painter Torbjörn Johansson will hold a live painting performance, BIFRÖST, together with the renowned Japanese saxophonist Kazuya Wakabayashi and butoh dancer Taketeru Kudo, at the shrine bridging Swedish and Japanese culture, supported by the ART foundation.
A special Scandinavian Design Embassy event for invited professional guests will be held at the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo. Two Swedish companies are taking part: Borås Cotton and Green Fortune.
Music also has its place in this year’s programme. The Gothenburg-based company Elektron, maker of music machines, has invited the artists Cuckoo and Japanese-born Risa T. They will perform at the club ZuBar and at Omnipollos Tokyo, where Swedish Style will also gather Swedish visitors and Japanese partners.
At Shibaura House, designed by the Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima, an installation by the Swedish companies Circalle and Bolon will be on show, and two panel discussions will be held. On 5 November, the topic is Sustainability and Recycling, with Marge Arkitekter, Bolon, Circalle and Anton Wörmann. On 6 November, the Embassy of Sweden, together with JSACA – Japan Sweden Architecture and Culture Association, hosts a conversation on Caring Society between Marge Arkitekter and the Japanese architect Ryoko Iwase.
Swedish Style Japan is a broad Team Sweden collaboration led by Svensk Form (the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design) and the Swedish Institute, in close cooperation with Swedish organisations in Tokyo – the Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan – as well as several long-standing Japanese partners.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
Continuously updated at www.svenskform.se and by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan: English version and Japanese version.
29 October
String Furniture x TAF Studio Talk Event
Doors open at 14.30; talk starts at 15.00
Interoffice showroom, Lattice Aoyama Square 6F, 1-2-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Pre-registration required: Register here
www.interoffice.co.jp/en/about
Creative Session & Elektron Super Sekvens
18.00–24.00 (Charge 500 yen)
Starting with a Creative Session with Risa T & Cuckoo, followed by Elektron Super Sekvens feat. Risa T, Cuckoo, Acidclank, Mini and the Elektron Team, ending with an open stage 23.00–24.00.
ZuBar, Zu Bld. 2-54-4 Kita Magome, Ota-ku, Tokyo
30 October – 3 November
DESIGNART TOKYO – Main Exhibition AUTOBAHN
Opening 30 October, 19.00–21.00.
Opening hours: Friday–Sunday 10.00–19.00, Monday 10.00–17.00.
KK Line (formerly Tokyo Expressway), between Sukiyabashi Crossing and Ginza 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
Tickets: artsticker.app/en/events/155300
https://www.designart.jp/designarttokyo2025/interview/13287/?lang=en
30 October – 10 November
The Conran Shop Japan & Swedish Style – LESSONS
Open 11.30–18.30, closed Wednesdays.
The Conran Shop Shinjuku, Shinjuku Park Tower 3–4F, 3-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-1005.
theconranshop.com/pages/our-stores/shinjuku
30 October – 8 November
GINZA innit Special Exhibition
11.00–19.00
“Cushion Cover Exhibition” featuring Swedish designer Hanna Werning and creative group Bob Foundation. On Sunday 8 November, a special workshop will be held where participants can colour cushion covers featuring printed patterns to create their own original designs.
Registration: Register here
GINZA innit, 7-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
ginzainnit.com
31 October – 5 November
Exhibition: Claesson Koivisto Rune’s new lamp NANA for the Japanese company Y.S.M.
11.00–19.00
Cocktail reception 2 November – open to everyone, advance registration required.
COMPLEXBOOST JINGUMAE, 3F, Room 3E, 5-36-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 (one floor above UTRECHT)
Registration: Register here
31 October
PechaKucha Night
18.00–21.00
Hosted by Klein Dytham Architecture on the DESIGNART main stage, featuring among others the Swedish participants Anders Färdig and Elektron.
Tickets: pechakucha-autobahn-2026.peatix.com/
KK Line, Ginza (see above)
1 November
Elektron Micro Super Sekvens
18.00–21.00
Elektron performs a Micro Super Sekvens on their music machines, plus machine testing for everyone.
Omnipollos Tokyo, 9-5 Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0026
omnipollostokyo.com
2 November
Welcome Gathering
19.30–21.00
Welcome gathering with information for Swedish participants and Japanese friends.
Omnipollos Tokyo, 9-5 Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0026
3–7 November
Exhibition Ariake + Staffan Holm
With the cabinet Hikari and wall mirror Tsuki Mon. Reception 6 November – by invitation only.
Column Gallery, 6-4-10 Minami-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0004
ariakecollection.com · staffanholm.com
3 November
Live painting performance: “BIFRÖST”
16.00 – 18.00
Live painting performance by artist Torbjörn Johansson “BIFRÖST”, with saxophonist Kazuya Wakabayashi and butoh dancer Taketeru Kudo – building bridges in a fusion between Japanese and Swedish culture – on the main stage of the shrine. Supported by the ART foundation.
Konno Hachimangu Shrine, 3-5-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002
www.konno-hachimangu.jp
4–8 November
Alternative Artefacts Danto Exhibition
New tile collections by Claesson Koivisto Rune (Cell and Soft) and Ingegerd Råman (Da Capo and Tile in Number).
Business days (by appointment): 4 and 6 November 10.00–18.00, 5 November 10.00–13.00
Reception party (by appointment): 5 November 18.00–20.00
Open to the public (no booking needed): 7–8 November 12.00–18.00
ATELIERMO, Shin-Aoyama Building East 1F, 1-1-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
www.ateliermo.co.jp/pages/galleryshop
4 November
Matchmaking
14.00–16.00
Matchmaking between Swedish companies and Japanese partners at the Business Sweden office.
Registration required: Register here
Business Sweden Tokyo, ARK Mori Building, West Wing 16F, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6016
5 November
Performance and Artist Talk: PARADISE LOST
10.00–12.00
Mylla Ek, author and critic Sofia Nyblom and Japanese choreographer Shintaro Hirahara come together to explore cultural encounters between East and West, Sweden and Japan, through art and performance.
Konno Hachimangu Shrine, 3-5-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002
www.konno-hachimangu.jp
Panel discussion: Sustainability and Recycling
18.00–21.00
With Marge Arkitekter, Bolon, Circalle and Anton Wörmann, followed by a reception – by invitation only.
Shibaura House, 1F, 3-15-4 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023
www.shibaurahouse.jp
TAF Studio speaks at DiALOGUE Vol. 24
Doors open 18.00, talk starts at 18.30
Registration form: Register here
Itoki Design House 11F (Nihonbashi)
6 November
Scandinavian Design Embassy
13.00–14.30 & 15.30–17.00
Scandinavian Design Embassy with fika, two sessions – by invitation only.
Embassy of Finland, 3-5-39 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8561
finlandabroad.fi/web/jpn/mission
Panel discussion: Caring Society
18.00–21.00
With Marge Arkitekter and the Japanese architect Ryoko Iwase. Hosted by the Embassy of Sweden and JSACA – Japan Sweden Architecture and Culture Association. Followed by a reception – by invitation only.
Shibaura House, 1F, 3-15-4 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023
www.shibaurahouse.jp
More venues during the period
Textiles of Sweden: Nature and Home Life in Scandinavian Design (19 September – 15 November)
Setagaya Art Museum, 1-2 Kinuta-koen, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0075. Open 10.00–18.00, closed Mondays.
www.setagayaartmuseum.or.jp/en
Interoffice: String Furniture x TAF Studio
Interoffice Tokyo Head Office Showroom, 1-2-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Interoffice Osaka Branch Showroom, Hakko Shinsaibashi AIR Bldg. 2F, 1-19-1 Kita-Horie, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0014
Inquiry form: designservice.interoffice.co.jp/en/inquiry/
www.interoffice.co.jp/en/about
Ingegerd Råman and TAF Studio in Kobe (31 October – 1 November)
VAGUE KOBE, Chartered Building 4F, 9-2 Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0024. Open 12.00–18.00, closed Tuesday–Thursday.
instagram.com/vague_kobe
Lagom & COAD & Materials (7–21 December)
Åke Axelsson, John Kandell, Jonas Bohlin, Gärsnäs and Verk.
MMoP ”Miyota Museum of Photography（御代田写真美術館）”1995-1 0zawa
LAGOM at MMoP, 1794-1 Oaza Maseguchi, Miyota-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano 389-0207
mmop.jp/en
More Sweden in Japan during the same period
Several Japanese partners have also invited Swedish designers to their own projects and are keen to connect with Swedish Style, which over the years has become a well-known and welcome feature in Japan.
- String Furniture launches “Pedestal and Museum” and “Museum Trolley”, designed by TAF Studio, at Interoffice in Tokyo and Osaka.
- The tile company Alternative Artefacts Danto presents new tile collections by Claesson Koivisto Rune (Cell and Soft) and Ingegerd Råman (Da Capo and Tile in Number) – both well known in Japan. Claesson Koivisto Rune has also designed a new lamp, NANA, for Y.S.M. Ingegerd Råman and TAF Studio are also exhibiting at the gallery VAGUE KOBE.
- The Swedish designer Staffan Holm has worked with the well-known furniture producer Ariake since 2017 and is now launching the cabinet Hikari and the wall mirror Tsuki Mon.
- Swedish textile designer Hanna Werning and the creative group Bob Foundation will exhibit cushion covers and hold a workshop at a special exhibition at GINZA innit.
- Swedish textiles can also be experienced in the major exhibition Textiles of Sweden: Nature and Home Life in Scandinavian Design at the Setagaya Art Museum. Curated by a Japanese design team It features some 300 objects by 20 designers from different generations.
- From 7 to 21 December, last year’s Swedish Style initiative continues at the gallery Lagom run by Dan Sunaga at the photography museum in Miyota, MMoP. The exhibition Lagom & COAD & Materials includes classic furniture pieces by Åke Axelsson, John Kandell, Jonas Bohlin + Gärsnäs and Verk.
For more information, please contact Svensk Form, project managers:
ewa.kumlin@svenskform.se
caline.heiroth@svenskform.se
Participant presentations attached.
