Inspired by Japanese design, Ben Richards moved from the UK to Tokyo to pursue a freelance photography career. In the two years since, he has built up an impressive portfolio of clients and projects, including Aman, Blue Bottle Coffee and Tokyobike. Softer Volumes spoke with Ben to learn more about how he approaches projects, his influences and inspirations, and the intersection of design and photography within his work.
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Highlighted a considered selection of cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and hotels that offer something special to enjoy when exploring the city.
Throughout the hotel, the design is centred around encouraging social connections and building authentic relationships — an idea fostered by the hotel’s founder Yoshitaka Nojiri.
Softer Volumes visited KINTO's headquarters in Ebisu, just south of Shibuya in Tokyo, to chat with the product design team and find out more about the brand's collection of everyday objects.
Softer Volumes caught up with passionate saké Master and Australian-based importer Toshi Maeda to better understand the drink, which is widely known in Japan as Nihonshu (literally translated to mean 'Japanese Liquor').
Around the city, entrepreneurs are embracing Japanese tradition (think slow, unique brewing methods), as well as experimenting with modern flavours and roasting techniques to create an offering unseen anywhere else. Enjoy exploring our selection of the best coffee shops in Tokyo.
All meticulously designed, the rooms are a balanced mix of old and new, combining to offer an updated Japanese-style retreat complete with shoji paper sliding screens, karakami wallpaper and tatami mat flooring.