THE UNIVERSE OF WAKAYAMA ―The Spiritual Heart of Japan―

Designer, Creative Director, and Project Associate Professor at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo. Born in Japan in 1985, Yoshimoto earned an MS degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Tokyo in 2010 and concluded his doctoral studies in Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art in 2016, concurrently founding the acclaimed design studio Tangent in London. In 2020, he co-founded the Advanced Art Design Lab at RCAST, the University of Tokyo, thereby amplifying his presence across both London and Tokyo. Yoshimoto specializes in the harmonious integration of design and engineering, crafting an array of innovative designs and concepts for globally renowned luxury brands. His expertise spans a diverse spectrum, from technology-driven business ventures to urban development projects. In recent years, he established the international initiative Craft x Tech, bridging traditional Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, and has actively pursued collaborations to contribute to the evolution and preservation of Japanese cultural heritage.

London-based visual artist. Creative director / founding partner of 3AND.
Yusuke Murakami earned a BFA degree in Film and TV from New York University in 2005 and a Master’s degree in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art in 2012. He spent eight years at Hingston Studio in the UK, collaborating with world-renowned artists and brands. In 2020, he established the creative collective 3AND in London, which operates globally across a broad spectrum of visual arts, from technology to design.
His notable works include the huge visual installation for the Diesel show at Milan Fashion Week 2023 in Italy, an immersive audio-visual performance for ∈Y∋ (BOREDOMS) at ICA in London (produced by NTS radio), the advanced immersive art installation "ANIMA" at RICOH PRISM, an art installation for BMW, the rebranding film for FC Tokyo, and a massive visual projection on the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Murakami blurs the lines between different realms, crafting fluid and innovative expressions that redefine the boundaries of visual art.

'Interested in design, fine arts, contemporary art, and craftsmanship, Mineko Kato chose to pursue a path in bread and pastry within the culinary field. She has served as a pastry chef at several Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, including Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, Il Marchesino, Mandarin Oriental Milan, and Osteria Francescana. Since 2018, she has been the head pastry chef at FARO. At FARO, she offers desserts that respect Japan's natural environment and traditional herbs, creating memorable experiences akin to a journey. She is dedicated to developing menus with a strong focus on ingredient selection. She received the Best Pastry Chef Award in "Gault&Millau 2022," the Top Pastry Chef Award in "LA LISTE JAPANESE AWARDS 2024," and in 2024, she was awarded Asia’s Best Pastry Chef at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. She also sees the plant-based lifestyle as an opportunity for sustainability and peace, pursuing initiatives that promote a fulfilling and enjoyable life while protecting the beauty of the Earth and society through a diet that minimizes the impact on the environment and animals.