Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture
For the first time in the UK, Japan House London is inviting its visitors for a mouth-watering journey to explore the intricate and vibrant world of Japanese food replicas.
We were invited for the press preview of the exhibition on the 30th September.
@urbanadventurerldn [BLOG POST IN BIO] ‘Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture’ at Japan House London 🍱🍝🍣🍙🍡 For the first time in the UK, Japan House London is inviting its visitors for a mouth-watering journey to explore the intricate and vibrant world of Japanese food replicas 🍢🎨 Japan House London has partnered with world-leading food replica manufacturer, Iwasaki Group, to give a rare and unique opportunity for visitors to take a glimpse into a century-old craft, unique to Japan🎨🍡🍣🍙 We were invited for the press preview of the exhibition on the 30th September 👀 📍Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA 📆 2 October 2024 – 16 February 2025 🕰️ Mon – Sat: 10:00–20:00 | Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12:00–18:00 🎟️ FREE | Booking encouraged #japanesefood #foodies #japaneseculture #japanhouselondon #japanese #japanesecandy #exhibition #londontiktok
Unexpectedly Realistic Food Replicas
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Japan House London has partnered with world-leading food replica manufacturer, Iwasaki Group, to give a rare and unique opportunity for visitors to take a glimpse into a century-old craft, unique to Japan.
There are 47 replica foods on display specifically made for this exhibition alongside with videos, maps and detailed diagrams to showcase the intricate artistic process that brings these incredibly realistic food samples into life.
Visitors will also learn how hyper-realistic food models play an integral part of nutritional education and alternatives.
What are Replica Foods?
Simon Wright, Director of Programming, Japan House London leading an exhibition tour at the press preview
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Replica foods in Japan are believed to be invented in the 1920s when Western foods (‘yōshoku’) were began introduced to Japanese people.
Department stores in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other cities began using food replicas to showcase their menu to their potential diners. The trend quickly became very popular throughout Japan, however, rarely seen outside of the country.
About Iwasaki Group
Iwasaki Tsuyoshi, Representative Director at Iwasaki Group
Photo: Urban Adventurer
For this exhibition, Japan House London have partnered with Japan’s largest food replica manufacturer, Iwasaki Group, to showcase the painstaking manufacturing process of these hyper-realistic foods, explore its history, the materials, and the future potentials of the craft.
The first display of replica food appeared in 1923 before Takizo Iwasaki founded his business nine years later, in 1932 in Osaka.
The exhibition showcases the reproduction of an omelette, founder, Takizo Iwasaki made in his kitchen in the 1930s. He successfully replicated the wrinkled surface of the omelette and named the replica ‘Kinen Omu’(Celebration Omelette).
Photo: Urban Adventurer
From the 1970s, replica foods went from being made of wax to plastic, allowing artists to produce replicas with improved durability and high-quality details like never before.
Modern food replicas, however, are made of PVC because it’s far more durable and not as easily affected by sunlight as wax.
Iwasaki Group produce wide range of different replica foods from Japanese to Western foods, confectionaries, fresh fish, Sushi, and much more, including even drinks.
How Food Replicas are Made
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Replica foods are more than just decoration.
The advantage of replica foods is that they are capable to convey a restaurant’s unique menu and flavours in an easily understandable way.
The hyper-realistic foods are almost indistinguishable from the real dishes. As a result, it can significantly boost sales due to the appealing look.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
At Iwasaki Group, every replica food is made individually and tailored to the specific needs of restaurants.
As a first step, they form a silicone mold that will express a rough food surface.
When the mold is ready, they pour coloured resin into it and let it harden.
Once the resin has been hardened, they remove it from the mold and cut and correct any unwanted protrusions.
All statues are hand painted by artists to look exactly like the real food. Once the painting is done, the artists arrange them with other serving elements to look like the actual food.
47 Hyper-Realistic Food Replicas to Represent 47 Japanese Prefectures
Photo: Urban Adventurer
To celebrate Japan’s culinary diversity, Iwasaki Group specifically commissioned 47 new food replicas for Japan House London’s new exhibition. Each food represents one of Japan’s prefectures.
The replica foods are called ‘shokuhin samporu’ and the collection of the 47 3D sculptures consist of Okinawa’s famous ‘Goya Chanpuru’ (bitter melon stir-fry) as well as the indigenous Ainu ‘Ohaw’ (soup with salmon) from the northern island of Hokkaido.
In 2023, Japan House London hosted an exhibition about Japan’s indigenous people, the Ainu, who were the earliest settlers of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido.
Learn more about the Ainu and the exhibition here.
Make Your Own Bento Box
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The cherry on top of the exhibition is the interactive space where visitors have the opportunity to create their own bento box of replica food and share it on social media.
Visitors will also have a chance to purchase realistic food samples and other exhibition related products from Japan House shop.
Exhibition Related Programs and Events
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The exhibition will be completed with a series of related programs, including cooking and craft workshops, talks, demonstrations and gallery tours.
Check the programs and events here.
‘Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture’ is first of its kind in the UK, providing visitors a rare opportunity to take a glimpse into a 100-year-old tradition of a uniquely Japanese phenomenon.
Practical Info
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Address
Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA
Opening Times
2 October 2024 – 16 February 2025
Mon – Sat: 10:00–20:00*
Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12:00–18:00
Tickets
FREE | Booking encouraged. Time slots can be booked here
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