15 Best Japanese Floor Lamps: Where to Buy Guide

Japanese floor lamps are appealing, but are you unsure which one to choose or where to buy it? This article is a complete guide to Japanese floor lamps that will meet your needs. We introduce everything from "tall Japanese floor lamps" that can be used as main lighting to "traditional Andon-type lamps," which are low-profile yet boast a wide range of designs, categorized by material. Furthermore, we cover 5 reliable places to buy them and styling techniques for Japandi style.

First, we will introduce practical "Tall" lamps that modernly illuminate large spaces such as living rooms and home offices. These Japanese floor lamps deliver light throughout the entire space and can also become the centerpiece of a Japandi style. Let's look at recommended japanese standing lamps, categorized by materials that offer different light textures.

Tall Japanese paper floor lamps are characterized by the soft light that permeates through Washi (Japanese paper). As a tall Japanese standing lamp, it fills a spacious living area with uniform, comfortable light. The minimal design harmonizes particularly well with Japandi style interiors.

"SLENDER" is a masterpiece that embodies Japanese minimalism. It is crafted using the traditional techniques of Gifu Chochin (Gifu Lanterns), which also inspired Isamu Noguchi's Akari series, and is made with 1300-year-old Mino Washi (Mino Paper). Its greatest feature is its elegant, elongated silhouette, standing 124cm (48.8 inches) tall. The flowing lines drawn on the shade accentuate the beauty of this Japanese standing lamp. The washi, made from Kozo (mulberry) pulp, is thin yet surprisingly durable, diffusing a soft, captivating light into the space. This Japanese paper floor lamp is perfect for a Japandi style living room or bedroom.

Japanese Paper Floor Lamp "ME-LOOK 01" is a model that fuses the tradition of 1300-year-old Mino Washi (Mino Paper) with innovative modern technology. Its greatest feature is a specially developed Japanese paper called "Melook paper." This is created by entwining Kozo (mulberry) fibers into a delicate, web-like (spider's web) thread pattern, producing an unparalleled, complex diffusion of light. As a tall Japanese standing lamp, its slender form does not overwhelm the space. It creates a sophisticated atmosphere as an accent in Japandi style. It is available in two colors, black and white, allowing you to choose according to your room's tone, which is another of its charms.

Tall Japanese bamboo floor lamps are captivating for their dynamic sculptural beauty, which utilizes the flexibility of bamboo. As a tall Japanese standing lamp, it creates not only light but also impressive shadows, adding a sense-of-depth to the living space. The rustic texture of bamboo, a natural material, also blends deeply with wabi sabi style interiors, which cherish the beauty of imperfection.

"Ajiro-base" is handmade using the techniques of "Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work," a traditional craft from Shizuoka with an 800-year history. It is an extremely rare masterpiece, as only 12 artisans inherit this technique. This 100cm (39.3 inches) tall Japanese standing lamp casts a quiet presence in a living room. It features a modern yet minimal design, meticulously assembled from thin bamboo strips. The contrast of soft light and delicate shadows produced by this Japanese bamboo floor lamp creates a sophisticated wabi sabi style space.

We will introduce traditional "Andon" (lantern) style lamps that make a statement in the corner of a living room or bedroom. Their appeal lies in their convenience, allowing them to be easily moved to the desired location like a traditional Andon, and their abundance of designs, which, while low in height, are suitable for changing the atmosphere of a space. Let's look at these evocative Japanese floor lamps, which leverage the beauty of their materials, categorized by material.

Historically, many traditional Japanese "Andon" (lanterns) have been made with wooden frames. Modern Japanese wood floor lamps also inherit this tradition, featuring designs that utilize the natural warmth of wood and the beauty of joinery achieved through skilled craftsmanship. The presence held by the frame itself imparts a deep elegance and tranquility to the space.

Japanese Kumiko Lantern "Asanoha" - Large is a work of art that represents the pinnacle of "Kumiko" (lattice) techniques, which have a 1400-year history. Artisans in Niigata spend 20 days manually assembling 600 pieces of high-grade Akita cedar without using a single nail. This Japanese wood floor lamp is an extremely rare item, with only 30 to 50 units produced annually. The geometric light and shadows emitted from the Asanoha (hemp leaf) patterned frame transform a living room or bedroom into a serene sanctuary. It is a lamp that symbolizes the traditional Andon (lantern) style.

"Kasu" is an orthodox model designed to adapt the traditional Shoji (paper screen) lamp to modern lifestyles. The greatest feature of this Japanese wood floor lamp is its simplicity. The wooden frame, made from light-colored Russian pine, harmonizes with any interior style and casts a modest presence. A significant attraction is that it uses a durable acrylic panel for the shade instead of Washi paper, making it safe for use in homes with small children. As it is available in three different heights with a common diameter, it can flexibly accommodate limited spaces.

Just as Isamu Noguchi's "Akari" modernly sublimated traditional Gifu Lanterns, Japanese paper floor lamps are beloved worldwide. The soft light that permeates through Washi (Japanese paper) brings a wabi sabi tranquility to a space. Particularly in Japandi style interiors, the soft whiteness and warm light of this Washi paper are essential elements.

"PAPER STONE" is a Japanese paper floor lamp that catches the eye with its bold form inspired by a stone of ice. It is crafted using the 1300-year-old techniques of Mino Washi (Gifu Lanterns), made from Washi paper that is thin yet surprisingly durable. The "Asa Rakusuishi paper" used for the shade is characterized by its glossy surface, into which long hemp fibers and a water droplet pattern are woven, emitting a unique glow as if it were crystal when lit. Just one of this lamp brings a serene and sophisticated wabi sabi atmosphere to a Japandi style living room or bedroom.

"BEANS LIGHT" is a lamp characterized by its soft, rounded, organic form, just like a bean, as its name suggests. It is handmade one by one by artisans in Gifu, using the 1300-year-old techniques of Mino Washi (Mino Paper). This Japanese paper floor lamp achieves both the delicate texture and durability of Washi paper. The  used for the shade is made by mixing Kozo (mulberry) pulp fibers, and when illuminated, the scattered fibers emerge like a pattern. The warm, calm light emitted from the entire shade and its unique design bring a gentle, sophisticated, and healing atmosphere to a Japandi style or wabi sabi style living room or bedroom.

This is one of the most iconic models in the "Akari" series, designed by the world-renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi. This simple, rounded lamp is handmade by Japanese artisans. Bamboo strips are used for the frame, and high-quality Washi paper from Kochi Prefecture is used for the shade. Although many imitations exist on the market, genuine AKARI lamps are inscribed with a red circle and crescent moon mark. This originates from the Japanese character for "light" (明), where the "sun" (日) represents the sun and the "moon" (月) represents the moon. With its compact size, it can be used both as a small Japanese paper floor lamp placed directly on the floor or on a side table.

"ME-LOOK 03" is a model that fuses the 1300-year-old tradition of Mino Washi with innovative technology. Its greatest feature is the independently developed "Melook paper." This is created by entwining Kozo (mulberry) fibers into a delicate, web-like (spider's web) thread pattern, producing complex light and deep shadows. The stable cubic (cube-shaped) design also harmonizes with Japandi style. It is perfect as a compact Japanese paper floor lamp or as an accent on a shelf. It is available in two colors, black and white, so you can choose according to your room's tone.

"NIPPON" is made using the 1300-year-old techniques of Mino Washi (Gifu Lanterns). This Japanese paper floor lamp is characterized by its traditional Japanese elegance, with four bamboo frames supporting the shade. The shade specially uses "Harusame paper," which has a delicate, rain-like pattern. The soft, warm light diffused through this Washi paper brings a serene atmosphere to a Japandi style living room or bedroom. At approximately 74cm tall, it has a moderate presence even when placed on the floor.

Bamboo is appealing for its diverse sculptural beauty, which utilizes its flexibility and strength. Japanese bamboo floor lamps bring a complex contrast of light and shadow, created by weaving bamboo strips, into a space. The rustic texture of the natural material harmonizes with wabi sabi style, and its organic form adds warmth to mid-century modern interiors.

"Moonlight" is a rare lamp handmade by the only female artisan who inherits the tradition of Shizuoka bamboo craft, which has an 800-year history. It emits a warm light through Washi paper affixed to the inside, with delicate 1mm-wide bamboo strips bundled with rattan. Its greatest feature is the unique gradation coating applied by a skilled lacquer artisan. This sophisticated Japanese bamboo floor lamp harmonizes not only with the traditional wabi sabi style, but its organic form also blends with mid-century modern interiors.

"Hagoromo" (Celestial Feather Robe), like the previously introduced "Moonlight," is a rare masterpiece by the only female artisan in Shizuoka who inherits the 800-year tradition. While sharing the common features of 1mm bamboo strips and Washi paper, this one is distinguished by its graceful silhouette, reminiscent of a celestial maiden's robe. The quiet, soft light emitted by this Japanese bamboo floor lamp blends into a wabi sabi style space and adds a sophisticated accent to mid-century modern interiors.

"Tutu" Middle is made using the techniques of "Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work," a traditional craft from Shizuoka with an 800-year history. This technique is a rare one, inherited by only 12 artisans. This Japanese bamboo floor lamp features a simple and sophisticated cylindrical design, meticulously arranged from thin bamboo strips. At 60cm (23.6 inches) tall, when placed on the floor, the soft light diffusing from between the bamboo strips brings a quiet and cozy atmosphere to a living room or bedroom. Its minimal form harmonizes not only with wabi sabi style, of course, but also with mid-century modern interiors.

"Lantern of Shadow" is a rare masterpiece by the only female artisan (Ms. Emi Kamiya) among the mere 12 craftspeople who inherit Shizuoka's 800-year history of bamboo craft. Its greatest feature, as the name suggests, is the "dual effect of light and shadow." While the Washi paper diffuses a warm light, the delicate 1mm-wide bamboo strips stretched over the shade's surface cast "dancing shadows" on the wall. This Japanese bamboo floor lamp's organic circular design harmonizes with the quiet spaces of wabi sabi style or as an accent in mid-century modern interiors.

"Sunlight" is a rare lamp made using the techniques of "Suruga Bamboo Lattice Work" (Surugatake-sensujizaiku) from Shizuoka, which has an 800-year history. Its greatest feature is the delicate bamboo strips that are geometrically layered onto a frame reminiscent of a traditional Andon (lantern). The soft light and complex shadows created by these overlapping bamboo strips bring a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere to the space. This Japanese bamboo floor lamp adds a Japanese essence to wabi sabi style or mid-century modern spaces.

When searching for a Japanese floor lamp, the anxiety of "where can I buy a reliable, authentic product?" often arises, especially when looking from overseas. It is important to avoid counterfeits and inferior goods, and to safely acquire high-quality Japanese craftwork and authorized design products. So that all our readers can search for authentic Japanese lamps with peace of mind, this article has carefully selected five reliable shops that specialize in high-quality craftwork or are authorized distributors for famous designers.

Once you have obtained your ideal Japanese floor lamp, the final step is "what kind of space to match it with." The minimalism and organic forms that Japanese lamps possess harmonize with many styles. Here, we will introduce two major interior styles that are particularly compatible and popular in the West: "Japandi style" and "mid-century modern."

Japandi interior is one of the most sought-after trends today. This style blends the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi" (the beauty of imperfection) with the Scandinavian philosophy of "hygge" (a concept that emphasizes coziness and cherishing happy moments). 

There are many similarities between the traditional lifestyles and philosophies of Japan and Scandinavia, leading to a high degree of compatibility. The defining characteristic of Japandi interiors is a balanced style that exudes both sophistication and warmth. You can create a Japandi atmosphere by selecting natural materials and furniture in lighter shades within a neutral color palette. 

Japanese floor lamps harmonize exceptionally well with the Japanese elements of Japandi style, making it an excellent reference for those looking to incorporate these lamps into Western interiors.

Mid-century modern interior emerged in the mid-20th century, between the 1930s and 1960s. This style originated from a fusion of German and Scandinavian interior design elements. 

While it shares the element of minimalism with Japandi interiors, it differs in many other aspects. It evokes a more refined and solid ambiance, characterized by the use of modern materials, a combination of darker neutral colors with bold accents, and clean, geometric lines. 

Although the natural materials of Japanese floor lamps may seem incompatible at first glance, their refined designs with exceptional minimalism can seamlessly integrate into mid-century modern interiors.

With this complete guide, you should have found the perfect lamp for your home and be ready for everything from purchase to styling. You have likely been able to select either a tall Japanese standing lamp or a traditional Andon to suit your needs. We hope that a Japanese lamp will enrich your space.