About us

About Us

My journey with Japanese culture and craftsmanship began at home. Inspired by my grandad and a deep appreciation for beautifully made objects, I grew up surrounded by colour, texture, artistry, and tradition. From simple everyday items to carefully crafted tableware, I learned early on that objects made with care carry meaning, history, and soul.

My grandad, Mr. Padam Bahadur Giri, was the founder of Giri Bandhu Tea Estate in Nepal during the 1960s — a family legacy that continues today. He was an incredibly hardworking and disciplined man who believed strongly in integrity, patience, dedication, and building something meaningful through consistency and effort. Although he is no longer with us, his values, principles, and inspiration continue to guide me every day.

He built something from nothing — a tea estate, a family name, a legacy that lives on to this day. In the 1960s in Nepal, he started with nothing but vision, discipline, and belief. The Giri Bandhu Tea Estate he founded still stands, still thrives, still carries his name. That story lives in me every single day. Just as he built his legacy in the Terai of Nepal, I am building mine here in London — with Tokyo Gallery. Not just a shop, but a legacy of my own. A place where Japanese craftsmanship finds its home in the UK, and where every piece we share carries meaning, care, and a story worth telling.

From him, I learned the importance of quality over quantity, respect for traditional craftsmanship, and the value of authentic materials over mass-produced goods. His philosophy shaped not only the way I see business, but also the way I see life — with purpose, responsibility, gratitude, and care for others.

Although I come from Nepal, my journey eventually brought me to London — a city that has inspired me greatly through its diversity, creativity, and opportunities. London taught me resilience, independence, and the courage to continue building my own path while staying connected to my values and roots.

Over the years, my love for Japanese culture and craftsmanship grew into a personal collection of bowls, plates, tea sets, lucky cats, and handcrafted pieces. Slowly, that passion developed into Tokyo Gallery Ltd — a business created not only from admiration for beautiful objects, but from a deeper belief in meaningful living, quality, craftsmanship, and creating something that brings joy into people's everyday lives.

Our first physical shop opened in Camden Market, London, on 19 December 2019 after a year of planning and dedication. Camden Market has been the heart of London's independent and creative spirit since the 1970s — a place where artists, makers, and passionate entrepreneurs have always found their home. Opening Tokyo Gallery there felt right. It was a place that celebrated individuality, craftsmanship, and culture — exactly the values at the heart of everything we do.

During this journey, like many independent businesses around the world, we faced difficult challenges through the Covid period, personal health struggles, and major changes to our physical space. However, these experiences only strengthened my determination to continue building Tokyo Gallery with resilience, purpose, and care.

七転び八起き — Nana korobi ya oki.
“Fall seven times, rise eight.”

This is the spirit of the Daruma doll — and it is the spirit of Tokyo Gallery. Every setback became a stepping stone. Every challenge became a reason to rise with more purpose, more care, and more love for what we do.

Life has taught me many lessons about strength, rebuilding, gratitude, and finding purpose through difficult times. Through every challenge, I realised that we are not here simply to survive, but to create, to help others, and to leave something meaningful behind while we are alive. That belief continues to shape the heart of Tokyo Gallery today.

I have always believed that serving people well is one of the most meaningful things you can do. At Tokyo Gallery, that belief shapes every decision — from the pieces we choose to the way we pack and send each order. We never compromise on quality, because we believe you deserve the very best. When something is made with genuine care and craftsmanship, you simply do not need to compromise.

At Tokyo Gallery, we carefully curate authentic Japanese tableware, gifts and homeware directly sourced from Japan. Every item in our collection is genuinely made in Japan and selected for its quality, craftsmanship and timeless design. We believe in quality over quantity — products designed to last rather than temporary trends, chosen to bring beauty, meaning, and everyday enjoyment into homes across the UK and worldwide.

For us, this is more than simply selling products. It is about sharing beauty, culture, craftsmanship, and a philosophy of meaningful living. We believe that the objects we surround ourselves with can influence the way we feel, live, gather, and create memories with the people we love.

Today, Tokyo Gallery has grown into a thriving online destination, allowing us to share authentic Japanese craftsmanship with customers across the UK and worldwide — reaching more people than ever before. What began as a personal passion slowly became a journey built through patience, resilience, vision, and love for beautiful craftsmanship.

To every customer who has ever placed an order, left a kind word, or shared Tokyo Gallery with someone they love — arigatou gozaimasu. 有難うございます. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

You are not just customers. You are the reason Tokyo Gallery exists. Your trust, your warmth, and your support from across the UK and around the world mean everything to me. This journey is as much yours as it is mine.

At Tokyo Gallery, we do not simply see customers as transactions — we see them as part of our journey and community. Your trust and support allow us to continue doing meaningful work with passion, integrity, and care.

Wherever you are in the world, we warmly welcome you to discover the elegance, harmony, and timeless beauty of Japanese craftsmanship with us.

With gratitude and love,

Rosy Giri
Founder & CEO, Tokyo Gallery
London, United Kingdom