Details

Urban and Culinary Nostalgia

Step into Flavors of Timeless Tokyo, an immersive exhibition capturing the retro soul of Japan’s capital through the delicate illustrations of Mateusz Urbanowicz, a Polish-American artist captivated by Tokyo’s nostalgic storefronts and centuries-old culinary traditions. Forgotten alleyways and artisan workshops are transformed into poetic windows onto a past that still pulses with life today.

At SA Paris (HIS Paris), the space is adorned with signed prints, original watercolor artworks, and installations evoking the quiet energy of neighborhoods like Yanaka or Asakusa: shop windows filled with wagashi (traditional sweets), wisps of ramen steam, and lantern reflections on wet cobblestones, creating a visual journey where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly.

Complemented by four exclusive workshops—tasting Tokyo-style sake with a Sake Samurai, shaping onigiri (rice balls), crafting wagashi, and making temari (embroidered balls)—this free event celebrates Tokyo as a timeless world city, linking culinary heritage with contemporary creativity.

Dates and Duration

From Monday, November 10, 2025, to Saturday, January 10, 2026, the exhibition spans two months, extending Tokyo’s atmosphere into the heart of winter for a seasonal evolution.

Open Monday through Saturday, with limited workshops to enhance the interactive experience.

This festive duration allows repeat visits, perfect for the holiday season.

Opening Hours

Open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 7:30pm, Saturday from 11am to 7pm, closed Sundays and public holidays.

Free entry; workshops at fixed times (90–105 minutes), booking required online.

These slots fit easily into Parisian lunch breaks or afternoons.

Address and Access

Full address: HIS Paris (SA Paris), 2 Rue du Renard, 75004 Paris.

Located in the 4th arrondissement in the heart of Le Marais, near Hôtel de Ville, the boutique is accessible by metro (line 1, Hôtel de Ville station; line 14, Châtelet station).

This vibrant neighborhood enhances the exhibition, fusing Parisian art with Japanese aesthetics.

Admission and Accessibility

Entry to the exhibition is free for all, promoting democratic access to illustrative art.

Workshops cost €34–60 (depending on session); limited spots (10–16 people), booking required via the website; basic accommodations for family inclusion.

This free admission makes Japanese culture accessible to curious visitors and art lovers alike.

Artistic Context

Mateusz Urbanowicz, born in Poland and based in New York, moved to Tokyo in 2005 to document his fascination with the city’s timeless details. Since his book Good Days in Tokyo (2017), he has excelled in precise, narrative watercolors, capturing everyday harmony—fish markets, soba noodle shops, street festivals—countering Tokyo’s futuristic image with poetic, accessible nostalgia.

Organized by HIS Paris, a Japanese travel agency, this exhibition—the first of its kind in France—promotes cultural exchange, with workshops inspired by Tokyo traditions: locally brewed sake, handmade onigiri, temari embroidered for good luck, and wagashi shaped to reflect the seasons.

Supported by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), this free event positions Tokyo as a timeless destination, inviting visitors to enjoy an artistic interlude where illustrations and flavors merge for a sensitive rediscovery of the Japanese metropolis.