June’s Reflections: What Japan Taught Me About Experience Design (and Affordable Tools I Love)
If there’s one place that knows how to turn everyday things into delightful experiences, it’s Japan.
Whether it’s getting train station stamps, finding hidden gems on the street, or visiting a convenience store — there’s often something unexpected, playful, or just deeply thoughtful built into the experience. That’s one of the things I love most about Japanese design: it’s not just about function or form — it’s about feeling.
And I loved my one-week trip there to bits.
Little Worlds in Everyday Places
One thing that stands out in Japanese experience design is how they gamify even the most ordinary interactions. It might be a sound that plays when your ramen is ready. A stamp-hunting map to encourage you to explore all corners of a wonderful. A mascot that turns a county into a pokemon world.
We landed in Osaka, and made our way to Takamatsu, Shikoku island where Slowpoke (Yadon in Japanese) rules the area due to its name rhyme with the local popular food: udon. I have never seen a place that’s so pink, and so dominated by a single pokemon like that. I got myself a Slowpoke stamp book, a trinket and a stuffed toy as a result.
Oh wait, I did buy slowpoke udon too - I wonder how does it taste like!
None of it feels overly commercial. Instead, it feels human. Charming. Sometimes a little odd, in the best way. And it makes me think: how can we bring more of that joy and intentionality into the way we create?
At Tako Press, I’ve been asking myself:
- How can this print be relatable to those who see it?
- Can this print feel like a collectible?
- Can we build characters into the brand — not just for decoration, but to connect?
Mistakes? They were more like miracles.
One of our magical moment of the trip comes from a misstep - we missed the train coming back to Takamatsu from Ooboke station - a tiny station in the middle of nowhere and had to wait for another train that was due in an hour. That was when I experienced a Ghibli movie’s moment: the sun hitting the mountain range, casting a shadow over the valley. The train tracks looked like a Ghibli movie live action. The station master closed his office door right when it was 4:00PM. The station was completely empty with the a taxi that hadn’t moved for the whole day that we guessed it was the only taxi in town. Just sitting there, with a beer or two from the shop upon the hill, is just a magical experience.
And reflecting on that moment, I would treasure the imperfection more, and would take it less serious when things don’t go as planned.
Affordable printmaking tools
When I was in Osaka, I stumbled upon a small local art supply shop — but not the kind you’d normally expect. It was messy, with art supplies piled from floor to ceiling across four floors — and everything was incredibly budget-friendly! I managed to pick up some printmaking materials at a bargain and can’t wait to create a new print with them. It’s going to be so exciting!
I will be on the watch out for new inspirations, and see you next month for July’s reflections!