Makoto Yokomizo is certainly not the first Tokyo-based architect we've mentioned in this column, and he surely won't be the last, but judging from the few examples of his work that you'll find illustrated here - like the Good Design prize winning FUN home, the MEM building, or even the Les Hydropathes cafe/brasserie located in the basement of Shibuya's Parco Part 1 - a heads-up is definitely warranted. Having worked under Toyo Ito for 12 years, it was only in 2001 that he started his own private practice (aat + Makoto Yokomizo, Architects) and he's been gaining steady, and well-deserved, attention ever since.

His latest project was the creation of a new museum (replacing an older structure) dedicated to poet/artist Tomihiro Hoshino in the tiny village (population: 4000) of Azuma, in Gunma Prefecture. It's a beautiful space that sees the various works of the artist presented in a series of thematically colored rooms, with a cafe area that offers a beautiful view of the surrounding gardens (have a look at the photo gallery found at the Miru-Kenchiku site - see the data section for the link - or leaf through the stunning pictorial found in the latest issue of Wallpaper magazine). Surely as good an excuse as any to get out of the city and head to the quiet countryside for an enjoyable mix of architecture and art.

As fall approaches, the design event season is set to heat up again with the annual onslaught of celebrations that have come to be known as Tokyo Design Week. Alongside the already-expected Designer's Week (with its popular Container exhibition) and Swedish Style are two newcomers (sort of). An offshoot of the popular UK affair, 100% Design Tokyo brings with it a strong commercial focus, and will be organized by 100% Design's original creative director, Tim Pyne. It will be held at Jingu Gaien in Aoyama, which is where you'll also find the Designer's Week Container and Students exhibitions - a welcome change from the inconvenient Odaiba location of past years.

We'll also see Teruo Kurosaki's Tokyo Designers Block morph into a new project, Design Tide, which launches under the concept of "a new wave of design for a new age." Like its predecessor, it will focus on the individual (instead of manufacturers), and is set to take place in shops/cafes/galleries throughout Aoyama, Harajuku, and Shibuya.

Do take note that these design-related happenings will take over the city a month later than usual, taking the first week of November (2-6, with Swedish Style going until November 12). If you're planning on coming to Tokyo at that time, you should definitely start planning (and making reservations) now, as all design-friendly accommodations are sure to become scarce. Expect more coverage (and tips on what exhibitions and parties to attend) in upcoming columns as more scheduling info becomes available.

Disclosure: This year I'll be working on the organization of a few events in regards to Swedish Style together with the Swedish design outfit Next Century Modern (and more specifically with designer Jesper Larsson), with participation by 9brand and Roughtoyz. I'll go into the details of all the exciting things we plan on producing in next month's column, but for now I can tell you that we hope to give you all a good enough reason to make your way down to the less-than-stylish Ikebukuro for a nice hit of design goodness.

As far as designer brands go, it's not hard to see why the Naoto Fukasawa-produced Plusminuszero gets so much attention (and it does tend to get a nice amount of coverage here). Visiting one of their two showcase shops in the city (or even browsing their online store), the collection of goods they have on offer stands as proof that pretty much anything can be turned into an object of lust - have you ever really looked at a toaster-oven like you do the one from Plusminuszero? This is why any new product launch is always accompanied with so much excitement and anticipation, and Fukasawa does not disappoint with his latest design: the slightly curved Cordless Telephone that comes in a choice of blue or gray, retailing for a respectable (for the brand) 19950 yen. Seems like the perfect accessory to add a touch of style to any room, without busting your budget.

They've also released an updated version of the donut-like Humidifier with new functions - adding the descriptive "Aroma Pot" to its name - in a new color, orange, upping the price to 14700 yen. The old Humidifier, in a choice of four colors, still goes for 12600 yen.