Tokyo is known as one of the biggest design markets in the world, especially considering the innovation factor that has brought into the design market. We’re going on a journey to discover the top interior designers from Tokyo, to get to know all the inspiration you need for this year!

1. Aoyama Nomura Design

Aoyama Nomura Design (A.N.D.) it’s a magnificent, high-end interior, architectural, and product design company of Nomura Co. Ltd. This design firm is recognized as one of Japan’s most incredible and innovative group of designers, constructors, and operators.

2. Arata Isozaki

The architect established Arata Isozaki & Associates in 1963, after the allied occupation when Japan had regained its sovereignty and was seeking physical rebuilding amidst political, economic, and cultural uncertainty from the decimation of WWII.

3. Atsushi Kitagawara

The Kitagawara Thermal Architecture Research Institute was founded in 1980 by Kitakawahara Thermal and reorganized into a corporation in 1982 and began full-scale design work.

4. FHAMS

Based in Kyoto, FHAMS is an incredible design team that has worked on a wide range of project types and scales such as interior design, hotels, and retail shops.

5. Gwenael Nicolas/CURIOSITY

CURIOSITY is a multidisciplinary studio based in Tokyo, created by French designer Gwenael Nicolas. From bespoke interior design projects to architecture and product design, the studio is constantly redefining the boundary of design, not in an abstract way.

6. Hashimoto Yukio

Ranging from private restaurants, offices, retail and commercial spaces, to hospitality, restaurants, cafes, clinics, and banquets, Hashimoto Yukio has a very diverse project portfolio. The philosophy o this top interior designers focus on designing ambiance instead of the material, which allows him to create timeless and harmonious yet quite minimalistic interiors, where the finest details are brought to our attention by a subtle play of light.

7. Kanji Ueki

Interior Designer and Representative Director of Casappo & Associates, Kanji Ueki was born in Tokyo in 1945. After graduating from Keio University in Tokyo, Ueki went to Italy where he worked at the RINASCENTE Department Design section in Milan.

8. Koichi Futatsumata

Koichi Futatsumata was born in Kagoshima, Japan. After graduating from the Department of Engineering and Architecture at Kyushu Industrial University, Futatsumata set up a design unit, CASE-REAL, and started his incredible professional career as an interior designer.

9. Ryoji Iedokoro

At the office, Ryoji Iedokoro constantly strives to help people realize the importance of architecture through his unique and innovative designs. By combining everyday objects and new approaches the studio takes the spaces central to our day to day lives to a completely new level.

10. SANAA

Also known as the Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates, this multiple award-winning architectural firms is based in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1995 by architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, who was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2010.

11. Shigemasa Noi

Born in Osaka, Japan in 1944, Shigemasa Noi is engaged to store design, exhibition design, and display design, since 1965. The renowned designer has worked for Interna Kagaya, Interior Design Office Nob, and Xebec, and he established Shigemasa Noi’s design office in 1982.

12. Shigeru Ban

Born on August 5 in 1957, Shigeru Ban is a Japanese architect, known for his innovative work with paper, particularly recycled cardboard tubes used to quickly and efficiently house disaster victims.

13. Shinchiro Ogata

Shinchiro Ogata is a well-known Japanese architect recognized for his take on supervision of diverse architecture, interior, product, and graphic design projects.

14. Shiro Kuramata

One of the most celebrated and significant designers, we couldn’t leave him off the list. Shiro Kuramata’s futuristic and practical designs to this day are showcased in New York’s MoMA and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. Creating both beautiful spaces and furniture pieces, his work can be described as a fusion between Oriental design and Occidental styles.

15. Steve Leach

Steve Leach Group moved beyond just being the most established interior design consultancy firm in East Asia and increased their service offering with new expertise areas and partnerships to provide you with holistic answers. As a team, they create award-winning projects in interior, architectural and sustainable design that provide a fresh approach to each challenge.

16. Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando is a self-taught architect whose approach to architecture and landscape was categorized by architectural historian Francesco Dal Co as “critical regionalism”.

17. Tokujin Yoshioka

Born in 1967, the renowned designer worked under Shiro Kuramata and Issey Miyake and established his own studio, Tokujin Yoshioka Inc. in 2000. Active in the fields of design, architecture, and contemporary art, Tokujin Yoshioka is highly acclaimed globally with works themed in nature, which also reflect the Japanese idea of beauty.

18. Tokyo Ito

Born on the 1st of June in 1941, Toyo Ito is a Japanese architect known for creating conceptual architecture, in which he seeks to simultaneously express the physical and virtual worlds.

19. Wilson Associates

Known for creating current, iconic, must-experience spaces, Wilson Associates has been innovating hospitality design for luxury and boutique brands for nearly 50 years. Founded in 1971 by design legend Trisha Wilson, the renowned interior design firm offers a range of design services and specialty studios to meet clients’ needs in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.

20. Naoko Takenouchi

Naoko Takenouchi completed a four-year degree course in design and glassblowing at Tama Art University in Tokyo, while taking time to attend the New York Experimental Glass Workshop. Her work experience continued at the Swedish Center Foundation and in the New-Small & Sterling Glass Studio in Vancouver.

See Also: Design Hubs Of The World – 20 Top Interior Designers From Cannes