Interpreters of Japan's Hidden Culture
A small team of curators, storytellers, and creatives, bringing global insight and deep local knowledge to the masters and places most visitors never reach.
Rooted in a Childhood Encounter With Imari, Arita and Nabeshima Ware
Bespoke Discovery was founded to unveil and share the hidden cultural, artisanal, historical, and natural treasures of Japan — offering new perspectives to audiences both at home and abroad.
Inspired by our founder's childhood encounters with Imari, Arita, and Nabeshima ceramics, a circle of like-minded members came together, driven by a shared desire to celebrate Japan's rich traditions, artistry, and the natural environment that sustains them.
Our Members
Curators, storytellers, and creatives with roots in craft, hospitality, regional development, art, and digital technology, bridging people, places, and time.
After postgraduate studies in Australia, Shohei began his career in sales and marketing before joining a B2B software firm’s Japanese subsidiary as its first local hire, leading marketing strategy and execution. With broad expertise in in-house marketing, consulting, and media, he now drives Bespoke Discovery’s overall development and marketing. Influenced by his grandfather, a collector of Japanese ceramics, he has long cultivated a deep appreciation for art and craftsmanship, often visiting museums and galleries worldwide.
Maoko transitioned into B2B marketing after sales roles at global software and medical device firms. Holding a master’s in Digital Marketing from Dublin, she has lived in Sweden, Spain, and other countries, experiences that renewed her passion for sharing Japan’s cultural appeal. At Bespoke Discovery, she plans and writes narratives that highlight the country’s beauty and depth. In her personal life, she enjoys traveling, exploring food culture, and especially visiting Hida-Takayama.
Koki earned a master’s degree from Tokyo University of the Arts, then studied in Germany and lived in Stuttgart for 15 years, exhibiting photography and visual works internationally. He now lectures on Art Theory at Matsumoto University. At Bespoke Discovery, he directs visual content production, ensuring a refined and consistent identity across image and video. Based in Matsumoto, a growing tourism hub, he is deeply engaged with local culture and committed to sharing Japan’s richness through art.
After studying in Toronto, Maiko built her career as Senior Producer at a global ad agency and a major Japanese web portal. Now a consultant in social media strategy, she helps brands craft impactful digital narratives and meaningful audience connections. At Bespoke Discovery, she contributes her expertise to social media planning and storytelling. Passionate about culture through cuisine, she explores food traditions and cooking worldwide, enriching her creative perspective alongside her love of travel and the outdoors.
After graduating university, Narihira Sahara worked as an in-house marketer across three companies — a B2B SaaS venture and two startups — moving from hands-on execution to management, with experience spanning web, content, and event marketing. Since childhood he has been drawn to history and art, regularly visiting temples, shrines, and museums. His hobby is watch appreciation — he admires Grand Seiko for its relentless pursuit of “time” and Japan's finest craftsmanship. He is especially fond of Kyoto and Nara.
After graduating university, Tsuyoshi Mitsui joined the video production division of an advertising agency, working on web commercials. He later went independent, producing product promotional videos, publicity photography, and animated web advertisements. His strength lies in a one-person, end-to-end workflow — planning, filming, and editing himself — supporting corporate branding and promotion from multiple angles. In his personal time, he enjoys portrait photography, capturing the expressions and atmosphere of the people in front of his camera.
Juneh has been involved in performance since childhood and, after graduating from the Department of Cinema at Nihon University College of Art, moved to the production side of the camera. At Bespoke Discovery, she serves as Video Director, specializing in interview-driven filmmaking — distilling words that only that person could say. She also actively seeks out “zero-degree” experiences, from growing rice to guiding sea tours, and currently lives on Ishigaki Island.