As a creative drinks agency, our fascination with Japanese culture blossomed over a decade ago when we collaborated with the House of Suntory, sparking a journey of cultural immersion. Through years of partnership, as brand specialists we've delved into Japanese culture, drawing inspiration from its meticulous craftsmanship, rich traditions, and profound appreciation for harmony and nature. We have witnessed the global drinks industry experience a remarkable shift influenced by this very culture, and today, we’re fortunate enough to have one of our very own team take up residency there.

It’s been just over a month since our Creative Designer, Aurelija Ivinskyte, went to live in ­­Tokyo for three months where she continues to work remotely while immersing herself in all that the Japanese capital has to offer. With so much to see, do and taste it’s nearly impossible to narrow it down to her favourite picks this month! However, she has and here are her top three cultural highlights from March to wet your appetite & your senses:

01. Strawberries – a winter fruit in Japan

Strawberry season in Japan starts in December and lasts until May. As they don’t keep well in humid conditions, these strawberries are harvested during colder months and just in time for Christmas. As everything in Japan is done with attention to detail, strawberries here are perfected to the juiciest and most fragrant versions of the fruit imaginable, and can be sold for up to £300 for a giant individual strawberry!

For a more affordable, but still quite a uique option, it is worth trying Albino strawberries. These are called Hatsukoi no Kaori, which means ‘the scent of first love’ in Japanese. Packaged individually, or in cute boxes, they also make a perfect gift.

02. Toilets - a symbol of Japan’s hospitable culture

Something as basic as a toilet in Japan is actually quite unique and requires extra attention. Usually it features heated seats, inbuilt bidets, sound and self-cleaning functions, and this all applies to public toilets as well, that are free and easily accesible everywhere.

In the recent ‘Tokyo Toilet Project’ lavatories in 17 locations were renovated and redesigned by globally recognised architects and creators including Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma and Tadao Ando. Some of these gems can also be seen on a big screen - Perfect Days by Wim Wenders. It is a beautiful tale about a public toilet cleaner who wakes up every day at the same time, has the same drink from a vending machine and goes to work to clean the same lavatories. He steps into each new day with serene optimism, noticing and appreciating the small details. This film “serves as a reminder that even in the most unassuming lives, there exists a world of wonder and wisdom waiting to be discovered.”

A true example of the Japanese appreciation of the simplest and most basic aspects of our lives.

03. Naoshima Island

Located in Seto Inland Sea is an island commonly known as Japan’s Art Island. It features many contemporary art museums, architecture, sculptures and creative designs, including iconic Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkin located on the sea front, which was once hurled into the sea during a typhoon and rescued by a local fisherman!

One of the main museums on the island is Chichu Art Museum, designed by Tadao Ando and built mostly underground, so as not to disrupt the beautiful environment. Works of Monet, James Turrell and Walter De Maria are on permanent display in this beautiful concrete space. A short walk away is another highlight - Benesse House Museum & Hotel, located on a hill overlooking the sea. The artworks are scattered around the building as well as outdoors, spreading to the seashore.

Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery - yet another beautiful building by Tadao Ando, is definitely not to be missed. Stunning photography is displayed on concrete walls, whilst an inner yard features the Glass Tea House ‘Mondrian’. A museum ticket also includes a matcha and wagashi (the Japanese sweet) set which is served in the lounge area with a view to the Glass Tea House - a wonderful experiential reference to Japan’s iconic Tea Ceremony.

On the other side of the island lives the Art House Project. Here, different artists took empty houses and converted them into works of art, “weaving in history and memories of the period when the buildings were lived and used.” Such a great example of art and heritage combined in an organic way.

The final stop, and one of the most memorable, was the public bath “I ❤ YU.” Yu means hot water in Japanese and it is also an art project by Shinro Ohtake. Soaking in this eclectic kitsch aesthetic bath, with mosaics and a huge elephant inside (of course no photography allowed), was a great final experience to round off the trip to Art Island.

A prime example of Japan’s nack for appreciating and exploring the balance between art and nature, Naoshima is definitely a must-visit-place for an art lover. There is no place like it in the world.