Website: Copy House
A few years ago, I stepped out for some air during a show at Namba Bears live house and noticed a DJ working the decks in a brightly lit room on the second floor of a nearby building. I didn’t have time that night to investigate, so I returned a little while later. It was then that I discovered Copy House: a gallery, fashion space, and café bar.
On that evening Copy House was hosting a pop-up record fair. The records mostly fell in the EDM category, but with a good mix of genres. Based on the interior design, the goods for sale, and music selection, I got the impression that Copy House had established an interesting new community in the neighborhood.
Copy house opened in 2022 when friends Aono, Mie, Hiroshi and Zig came together to create a space for their interests, focusing on 80s and 90s-inspired fashion, music, and culture.
In addition to running Copy House, Aono owns Shop & Gallery Space ExCube, Mie runs Cafe Kissshot, Hiroshi works as a beatmaker at noreason studio, and Zig sells vintage US and UK clothing on his ZIGDIV website. Most often the space is run by Zig and Hiroshi, where you’ll find them manning a small bar. Frequently, a rotation of DJs will be on hand to provide the ambience.
The second time I visited Copy House – in November 2024 – artists Ori and Milk and Honey had their work on display for their SUNNY SIDE art exhibition. Ori is also part of the Copy House staff. On that day she wore an H&M dress, a necklace by eeeee in Nakazakicho, and a knit hat made by “an obachan at a flea market.”
A t-shirt designed by Ori for her as-yet-unnamed fashion label sells in the Copy House shop. She finds inspiration in grindcore, hardcore, and heavy metal music, and manga. Some of her favorite band are Nails, Full of Hell, and Babymetal. Eudaemonia is a Greek philosophy used to seek a deep, meaningful, happy life.
Sticker by Ori, inspired by manga artist Junji Ito. Most of her works are pen and ink or acrylics. She studied sound engineering in college, but felt the draw of art and design after graduation. Her paintings can be seen here.
Milk and Honey is a painter and photographer whose impressionistic work deals with fleeting moments, quiet details and the emotions of a captured experience. Her paintings can be seen here, and her photos here. The fabric-printed works in the SUNNY SIDE exhibition gave the photos an additional visual dimension.
Co-Owner Zig primarily buys and sells vintage clothes online, but also created his own brand in 2018. He currently has no stock on his website while he focuses on Copy House activities, but some of his own designs are available at Copy House. Here he wears a vintage Megadeth t-shirt he altered.
Hats and belt by Zig available at Copy House.
A selection of t-shirts and accessories are always on sale at Copy House . Brands such as Thunderbox and Tarzankick!!! are mainstays. Tokyo-based Thunderbox describes itself as OMOSHIROI and KAKKOII clothing. The Tarzankick!!! brand came about after its creator experienced a post-surgery psychedelic episode and began making art inspired by it.
The third time visiting, I met Takumi Okawa, owner of the Upanishad clothing store in Kobe, at his week-long pop-up.
He opened Upanishad in 2015 to showcase small Japanese fashion designers, and began his own fashion brand dena:mana in 2020.
Here he is wearing his dena:mana All Minds Will Melt loose knit sweater. Some of the brand’s inspirations are the 80s UK punk scene, 1990s A Bathing Ape, and Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons.
Upanished staff Eru Ken was on hand to act as a “living mannequin” for Upanishad’s pop-up. Topped with a Bodysong hat, he also wore an All Minds Will Melt sweater, and a dena:mana modified jacket.
Eru Ken also sported a multitude of accessories including pieces by Hiroshima brand Taujan and Osaka-based jeweler Banage. Taujan was established in 1992 by self-taught silversmith Hara Ryukei, and has found a strong following in Korea. Bana Itahashi created Banage in 2011, and specializes in made-to-order pieces.
One of the most notable Japanese designers carried by Upanishad is Teppei Furuyama. Furuyama’s designing process is “Impression Operation”, defined as “Instilling uniquely interpreted messages and ciphers as the source of inspired things that have penetrated the masses. It aims to create an impression that is different from the original meaning.” Pictured is his fantastic Handpaint Tailored Jacket
The Upanishad pop-up contained a multitude of designers, so it would take a while to cover them all, but some more of their featured brands are BODYSONG, JUVENILE HALL ROLLCALL, FlexibleVisual SPCE, SHINICHI SUMINO, Azuma, INK, Cultures, and A.C.C. Many used designer brands can also be found at Upanishad. The best option is to head over to Kobe and have a look at Upanishad yourself.
My final trip to Copy House in 2025 was during the Shiga antique store Enmei Land pop-up. It was a little unexpected since most of my experiences with Copy House had to do with art and fashion, but the antiques had a cool, fun, and unique aesthetic that fit right in.
I recommend everyone visit Copy House to experience a creative community that is very welcoming, and if you have ideas for your own exhibitions or pop-ups there, please get in contact through their website. A look through their archives is also highly recommended, and just may inspiration your own creativity.
