The second half of our Japan journey brought us to Karimoku, one of the country’s most respected furniture manufacturers and a brand we’ve been honored to work with for many years. Our visit began in Nagoya, where we toured several of Karimoku’s factories and saw firsthand the precision, scale, and care that define their production. Later, in Yokohama, we spent the afternoon exploring a remarkable multi-story showroom filled with pieces from across their collections—a rare chance to see the breadth of this storied brand in one place.
In Tokyo, our time with Karimoku was equally inspiring. We visited KARIMOKU RESEARCH, a concept space and gallery dedicated to design "Survey" through dialogue with creators, designers, and consumers both domestically and internationally. The space itself is a study in materiality and form, a living exploration of Karimoku's thoughtful and forward-looking environment and curation. The ultimate purpose of the space is to utilize the knowledge and research gained to lead to new creation..
Another highlight was our tour of the Bellustar Tokyo hotel, where Karimoku Case furnished both the restaurant and the stunning penthouse suites. From the 45th floor, the city stretches endlessly in every direction—an unforgettable setting for design that feels grounded, crafted, and intentional.
Having partnered with Karimoku for many years, we’ve seen how consistently designers return to their collections for residential and commercial projects alike. Their meticulous approach shows in every detail; each piece feels considered, refined, and shaped by a deep respect for the material. It’s no exaggeration to say their work borders on sculpture.
At A+R, we proudly carry Karimoku Case, Karimoku New Standard, Wagetsu, and Karimoku Cat—and yes, something new may be on the horizon. Stay tuned.
We left Japan grateful for the chance to experience these places and meet the people behind such extraordinary work. And trips like this remind us why A+R champions design from around the world: the creativity, craft, and cultural stories that shape these pieces are what make our collection—now more than 80 global brands—so distinct. It’s the diversity of ideas that inspires us, and ultimately, what makes A+R unique.
