Get the Desk to Tokyo!
In November, we debuted the Grovemade Desk at our first-ever pop up in Tokyo. This event wasn’t about selling the desk—it's currently not even available to purchase in Japan. Instead, it was about connecting with our community and sharing our passion for product, design and doing great work. We had no idea what to expect, but the response was overwhelming.
I'll be your guide through our unforgettable experience in Tokyo.
KEN TOMITA
Co-Founder
なぜ日本なのか？
Why Tokyo? The answer is personal. I was born in Japan, and my roots run deep. Family, friends, and countless trips back over the years have kept me closely tied to my heritage. Growing up, I straddled two cultures, and that shaped how I see the world.
But it’s not just me—our lead designer Sean Kelly has a deep connection to Japan as well, through his wife's family there. He visits Japan nearly every year. Together, he and I have been heavily influenced by Japanese values and design philosophies: minimalism, attention to detail, and harmony. These values have trickled down into our company culture, making Grovemade a blend of American and Japanese influences. And, they are deeply embedded in the products we create.
But it’s not just me—our lead designer Sean Kelly has a deep connection to Japan as well, through his wife's family there. He visits Japan nearly every year. Together, he and I have been heavily influenced by Japanese values and design philosophies: minimalism, attention to detail, and harmony. These values have trickled down into our company culture, making Grovemade a blend of American and Japanese influences. And, they are deeply embedded in the products we create.
舞台を整える
Pulling this off in Tokyo was no small feat. I worked with Christian and Caroline from our supply chain team to coordinate getting all the products from Portland to Tokyo. Being nearly 5000 miles away from headquarters means we had to plan for all the contingencies that might come up. In Tokyo, one of our creator partners, Fantastic Workspace, borrowed a small street-side showroom from his friend Daiki-san’s e-bike company. It was the perfect location between two iconic Tokyo landmarks: the historic Asakusa district and the futuristic Tokyo Skytree. On Friday afternoon, we had to start setting up while the e-bike employees were still working. Space was very tight. The challenge was to convert an e-bike showroom into a Grovemade Desk showroom… and then back! To me, it felt like we were right on top of each other, and I felt bad to be in their way, but they didn't seem to mind.
Back at home in Portland, our product designer Sean had crafted a subtle, Japan-inspired concept for the signage. It needed to be clean, minimal, and use limited resources for installation. We created mockups in our workshop, but just in case, I brought five different sizes of the logo. On-site, I tested the sizes, examining how each looked and felt from close by, at the sidewalk, and across the street.
The installation of the striping was tricky—tape had to be redone a few times as I stepped back and reassessed. Adjusting the signage design right there in the street felt right to me. It wasn’t something we could perfect just designing on a computer. When it all came together, it felt distinctly Japanese and perfectly Grovemade.
For staging, I wanted local props. Japan’s stationery scene is legendary, so I headed straight to the mecca of the genre—Itoya in Ginza. We battled hoards of tourists as we explored floor by floor, planning out the details. It was difficult to stay focused on the task—the neighborhood and energy were sparking all kinds of unrelated curiosity and inspiration!
Photos from ito-ya.co.jp
Photos from ito-ya.co.jp
Itoya was incredible and a must-see for any stationery enthusiast, but ironically, the best finds came the next day at a humble neighborhood shop just three minutes from our house. It was the kind of place the local children get their school supplies, I remember these kinds of notebooks and stickers from when I was a kid. That’s Japan—excellence as a baseline expectation, not just for design enthusiasts.
熱気に包まれて
Well before we opened the doors at 11 AM, people were lining up outside. I was floored—this wasn’t a sneaker drop; it was a standing desk. Yet dozens of people crowded the space, clamoring to see it in person. It felt like the scene at a museum’s most famous exhibit: people trying to peek over others’ shoulders and waiting patiently for their turn.
The space was, well, Tokyo-sized—tight! We quickly realized we could only let a small group in at a time. We pivoted to handle the demand: our volunteers managed the flow, giving each group 15 minutes to explore. Some fans studied the desk’s technical features, others touched the materials, and some just stood back, taking in the design.
I grew up using Japanese, but I rarely use it in a business setting. I had to quickly adjust. It was humbling to speak with so many passionate fans, explaining the desk’s features and philosophy. Their excitement was contagious and reminded me why we do what we do.
I grew up using Japanese, but I rarely use it in a business setting. I had to quickly adjust. It was humbling to speak with so many passionate fans, explaining the desk’s features and philosophy. Their excitement was contagious and reminded me why we do what we do.
みんなで乾杯！
After the event my family and our team of creator partner volunteers had to first take down the display and clean up the space to return it back to being an e-bike showroom. Then, to celebrate, we headed out across the Sumida River into a quiet, historical part of Asakusa, far from the usual tourist paths where our creator partner Fantastic Workspace had secured a special restaurant for dinner.
The restaurant was steeped in tradition. Narrow, steep stairs led to a small upstairs room where we sat on the floor in classic Japanese style. Just before dinner started, four staff members suddenly entered in bright green happi coats. Shouting at full volume, they led the customers in a boisterous chant, “yoisho, yoisho” while clapping in unison, and swapped out the elaborate shrine leaning against the wall behind me. We were totally confused and shocked, but we just played along and had a blast.
Later, we learned we had just experienced a “Kumade exchange”. The annual Tori no ichi festival was taking place that day at the nearby Otori shrine. The grounds are lined with countless stalls selling Kumade, which translates literally as “bear paw”. They are known to bring in good fortune due to their rake-like shape. Once a year, our restaurant switches out their Kumade for a new one and performs the chant together with their customers, symbolizing their wish for mutual prosperity.
Our Japanese hosts informed us we were incredibly fortunate to witness it—it was a rare experience even they had never observed in person. It was a surreal, Spirited Away-like moment that I’ll never forget.
Later, we learned we had just experienced a “Kumade exchange”. The annual Tori no ichi festival was taking place that day at the nearby Otori shrine. The grounds are lined with countless stalls selling Kumade, which translates literally as “bear paw”. They are known to bring in good fortune due to their rake-like shape. Once a year, our restaurant switches out their Kumade for a new one and performs the chant together with their customers, symbolizing their wish for mutual prosperity.
Our Japanese hosts informed us we were incredibly fortunate to witness it—it was a rare experience even they had never observed in person. It was a surreal, Spirited Away-like moment that I’ll never forget.
Raising a glass (kanpai!) over an incredible, traditional meal was a highlight. My family was a huge help, and we had an amazing team of local creator partners assisting with setup, the event itself, and takedown. Shout out to Ogawa-san, Egawa-san, Nino-san, and Fantastic Workspace for their invaluable support—we couldn’t have done it without them! The hard work by so many people to make the event happen plus the passion brought by our fanbase coming all the way out to see us combined for a truly special human experience.
The energy was overwhelming and I was humbled to be a part of it.
KEN TOMITA
Co-Founder
(Photo credits: Koh Ogawa, Ryota Egawa, Fantastic Workspace, Grovemade)