Pictograms: Iconic Japanese designs
- 30 July- 9 November 2025
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00–20:00, Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12:00–18:00
- The Gallery, Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
- https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/whats-on/pictograms-iconic-japanese-designs/
- +44 (0)20 7932 7100
- info@japanhouselondon.uk
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Pictograms are everywhere. From street signs and text messages to toilet doors and maps, they have transformed global travel, removing barriers by creating a universal visual language. This exhibition demonstrates how the beauty and precision of Japanese design has shaped the art of visual communication.
Japan has played an integral role in the development of pictograms. The renowned design agency Nippon Design Center set an early standard with the sporting pictograms they created for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, while people often unknowingly use a Japanese word – ‘emoji’ – to talk about digital pictograms.
From ancient Egyptian tomb carvings to navigating contemporary Japan, Pictograms traces the design, evolution, power and future potential of these universal signs.
Visitors can create their own unique symbol from a selection of component pieces and move amongst giant pictograms – standing under a 2.5-metre torii shrine gate, sizing up to a sumo wrestler or even taking the controls of a Japanese train.
The exhibition also offers the first chance to see selected pictograms designed by young people from the UK, who were invited to represent ‘their London’ in graphic form.
Visit Japan House London for a masterclass in the simplicity of communicating without words.
Japan House London’s Pictograms exhibition is supported by Epson UK Ltd, NTT Data Inc Group and Yamaha Music Europe GmbH.
Booking tickets
Entry to our Gallery for this exhibition is free and booking is encouraged, but drop-ins are also welcome.
Before making your booking, you might like to note the following:
- The slot on your ticket indicates your chosen arrival time. Please arrive within this slot, as we may not be able to guarantee immediate entry for guests who arrive late.
- Japan House London closes at 20:00 Monday to Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday. Please take this into account when booking your arrival time.
- Our booking system is based on guests spending approximately 40 minutes in the Gallery. There may be occasions when guests are asked to wait outside the Gallery for a short while in order to maintain the appropriate number of visitors inside.
- Guests will also be able to access the Ground Floor, including the Shop, the Stand and our other cultural installations (tickets are not required here).
- If you have any problems booking your ticket, please contact us with your preferred date and time.
All children must be supervised by an adult. Please note the interactive area of the exhibition is for children aged 3 years and over.
Rucksacks are not permitted in the Gallery. Items up to cabin bag size (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) can be left in our cloakroom.
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