The New Blue Bottle Coffee venue in Nagoya was realised in local materials by Keiji Ashizawa Design, and aimed at a diverse crowd. Founder Keiji Ashizawa takes us behind the scenes

Koichi Futatsumata of Fukuoka firm CASE-REAL designed Aesop’s new Nagoya store using local soil as the main material

An unglazed stoneware vase with flower bud lines; a paper-thin sake pitcher with a matte silver patina; a light maple spoon for scooping tea leaves. These are among an assortment of Japanese treasures handcrafted by contemporary artisans and lovingly curated by the eagle-eyed couple behind Analogue Life, a design shop and gallery in Nagoya