At OTSUKATSU, we believe good design can make a good life.

We believe that creating the best products and providing excellent customer service is the only way forward.

 

Our story

We are two people on this adventure, Thibaut and Gregory. We first went to Japan together in 2013 and couldn’t stop going back ever since. :)

Our love for Japan didn’t start there, though. We’ve known each other for 16 years and grew up in France during the 80s and 90s when video games, anime, and manga were becoming incredibly popular — they shaped our childhood. We've been diving even deeper into Japanese culture, especially since we met.

In 2021, we started OTSUKATSU with the goal of sharing everything we love about Japan through our exclusive, one-of-a-kind designs. However, due to personal reasons, we had to pause the site’s evolution for a while, but now we’re back and ready to bring more to the table!

Our idea from the start was to share the unique aspects of Japan that made us fall in love with the country — things that aren’t commonly known. We both love getting lost in small neighborhoods or the countryside, finding small restaurants, meeting local people, sleeping on futons, or eating natto. We also love the Japanese mindset, and the little details that are everywhere — like designs on buildings, unique street manhole covers, tiles with kamon (family crests), or the origami of Mount Fuji made from the disposable paper from chopsticks, which is also used as a chopstick rest in a restaurant. These are the subtle details that inspire us and make us appreciate Japan even more. Through our designs, we try to modestly showcase these details and offer a personal perspective.

Now, one of us lives in Japan to be closer to everything that inspires us, while continuing to share our love for Japan’s unique features. We want not only to share elements that are personal to us but also to help you explore more of Japan, beyond the most well-known aspects. In addition to our designs, we’ll also share travel tips and insights into learning Japanese — all things that inspire us and that we hope will inspire you too.

 

Our product & Design Philosophy

At OTSUKATSU, every design starts with a shared vision. We collaborate on themes, shapes, and overall concepts to ensure each creation is inspired by the beauty and uniqueness of Japan. Once the initial concept is in place, we refine and iterate through constant feedback until we reach the final version — making sure every detail is just right.

Once the designs are perfected, we carefully manage all the technical aspects and logistics to ensure our creations reach you in the best possible way.

Each product reflects our deep connection to Japan, bringing you something special and personal that’s designed to inspire and delight.

 

Our values

At OTSUKATSU, we strive to stay true to our core values — creating designs that matter, not just for profit.

We aim to offer fair prices and honest offers. Occasionally, we may provide promo codes for your first order or special events, but these will be limited to maintain the integrity of our approach.

We respect your privacy and will never use your data to push unnecessary purchases. We don't use third-party tools like Google or Facebook for tracking; we only use the analytics provided by our platform, Shopify.

We focus on creating small-batch, high-quality products to minimize waste and ensure each item is made with care. We are mindful of our environmental impact and are constantly looking for ways to improve our practices.

We are committed to growing responsibly, improving our processes, and sharing our love for Japan through our designs.

 

The OTSUKATSU Team

We’re always here to connect with you. 

Feel free to explore our website and say "Ohayo" (hello in Japanese) anytime! 😊