Visitors to Japan House London, which opened on June 22 on Kensington High Street in the heart of the British capital, could be in for a bit of a surprise.

As the city's new cultural hub of all things Japanese, its minimalist open-plan interiors, striking contemporary central spiral staircase, three floors of innovative design, art and architectural works, and classy open-kitchen restaurant impressively avoid the all-too-easy stereotypical preconceptions about Japan.

Kenya Hara (left), chief creative director of the Japan House projects with Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall at Katayama
Kenya Hara (left), chief creative director of the Japan House projects with Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall at Katayama's central spiral staircase in Japan House London. | ADRIAN BROOKS/IMAGEWISE