If there's a city where design is not just a style, but a philosophy of life, it's Tokyo. A Elle Decor Design Walk Tokyo offers this very experience every autumn: a series of events where the world's leading design brands and Japanese studios open their showrooms to visitors.

The Design Walk is not just an exhibition, but a way to urban exploration. The streets of the Aoyama, Omotesando and Minato districts are filled with unique interiors: international brands are joined by Japanese artisan workshops, where tradition and modern design are harmoniously intertwined.

This year I had the pleasure of attending this inspiring event in person. I visited several showrooms, but three venues in particular left a deep impression on me - each for a different reason: one brought the Japanese artisan tradition, one the Japanese way of life, and one Italian elegance.

Kashiwa Tokyo - a contemporary interpretation of Japanese craftsmanship

A Kashiwa Tokyo showroom was not among the official stops on the Elle Decor Design Walk, but it was still unmissable.
Founded in 1943, the brand is a family business that has become one of the best-known names in Japanese furniture manufacturing. The showroom in the Shibuya district is the Diamond Building on the top floor - an elegant yet understated space where every detail is a tribute to the love of natural materials.

Kashiwa furniture is made of solid wood, meticulously handcrafted. Their style is both traditional and modern, combining the classic proportions of the Japanese home with clean, functional forms.
Walking around the showroom, I had the feeling that every piece had a soul. The natural light of the finishes, the texture of the wood and the subtle scents combine to create a sense of calm that only a Japanese interior can give you.

As a designer, it was particularly inspiring to see how naturalness and functionality could be kept in such harmony.
For me, Kashiwa Tokyo is the slow design Japanese equivalent: where time, care and usability meet.

Time & Style Atmosphere - where Japanese style is at home

The next stop is one of the most prominent venues of the official Design Walk, the Time & Style Atmosphere was.
Located in the Minami-Aoyama district, the four-storey showroom occupies a special place in Tokyo's design world - it's not known as "the house of tranquillity" for nothing.

The concept of the space is based on a dialogue between Japanese craftsmanship and Western design. Time & Style collections feature works by designers such as Peter Zumthor or Kengo Kumayet each object retains the quiet elegance of Japanese craftsmanship.

Walking through the showroom, I was immediately captivated by the special atmosphere created by the harmony of natural light, subtle scents and wood-stone-textile.
This place is truly the Japanese style essence: clean lines, natural materials, balanced proportions and a meditative mood. It is not just a product, but a lifestyle - the kind of calm that more and more people are looking for in the rush of everyday life.

Time & Style Atmosphere not only provided inspiration, but also professional direction: it reminded us that the principle of "less is more" works at the highest level, if it is backed by a real understanding of materials and a sense of proportion.

Herman Miller & Maxalto - international icons through Japanese eyes

The third stop of the Design Walk was the showrooms of two brands from different worlds: the Herman Miller and the Maxalto.
Both are well-known names in international design: the former is synonymous with ergonomic workspaces, the latter with Italian elegance.
But in Tokyo they appear side by side, creating a special dialogue between East and West.

The Herman Miller Aoyama showroom showcased the perfect balance of functionality and form. The iconic Aeron and Eames chairs are joined by new models that take home office design to an artistic level.
A few streets away, the showroom of Maxalto (part of the B&B Italia family) brought the warm tones of classic Italian furniture to a Japanese setting.

The presence of the two brands together at Design Walk sent a clear message to me: the home of the future is comfortable, functional and aesthetic - a balance between living, working and relaxing.

What does this mean for me as a designer?

The Elle Decor Design Walk Tokyo is not just about new collections and spectacular interiors, but also about getting a glimpse into the Japanese way of thinking.
There, every movement, every detail is conscious: the choice of materials, the proportions of space, the use of light, all serve the quality of life.

These sites have confirmed that design is not about the spectacle, but about the experience.
Kashiwa Tokyo taught me the power of naturalness, Time & Style Atmosphere taught me the simplicity of Japanese style, and Herman Miller & Maxalto taught me how to turn comfort and functionality into aesthetic value.

Drawing on this experience, we want to carry these values forward in future MM Interiors projects: awareness, knowledge of materials and attention to detail - whether it's a Budapest apartment or a holiday home in the countryside.

Walking around Tokyo, you understand that design is not a destination, it is a language: a quiet yet powerful way to connect with the world you live in.