I lived for three years in Japan while studying at a university there. It was a very fun three years and I was able to see some very interesting, and by western standards unconventional, designs.
In particular, there is one Japanese designer that I (and the rest of the SOS team) have really come to admire: Shinzi Katoh.
Often it is difficult to buy Japanese items here in the US, but these are available online –> Shinzi-Katoh mugs
While we are on the topic,
I also happened upon a good book about Japanese design. It’s called Japanese Style by design enthusiast Sarah Lonsdale.
<-- click picture for more book info