More than 40 wood products will feature in Melbourne
Decor + Design 2026 will host its first Japanese pavilion at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from Wednesday, 15th July to Friday, 17th July 2026. Titled “JAPAN WOOD x CRAFTSMANSHIP”, the pavilion will present more than 40 sustainable wood products.
Gurunavi, Inc. Announced the pavilion in Tokyo on 8th July 2026. The company is operating and supporting the exhibit under a subsidised project by Japan’s Forestry Agency in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
At the display, visitors can see design-led wood products, traditional lacquerware and Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku. Organisers describe Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku as a wood mosaic craft with a 1,000-year heritage.
Its geometric patterns use only the natural colours of wood. Gurunavi says the pavilion will show how long-used Japanese techniques can suit modern living spaces.
Kazutaka Tsuyuki demonstrations
A nationally certified Japanese Master of Traditional Crafts will perform live woodworking demonstrations on all three days of the exhibition. Gurunavi described that as a first for Decor + Design.
The craftsman is Kazutaka Tsuyuki, one of only six wood-mosaic masters in Japan. He will demonstrate advanced techniques linked to Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku each day from 15th July to 17th July 2026.
Visitors will be able to watch Tsuyuki shave geometric wooden patterns. They will also see how the traditional Himitsu-Bako, or Secret Box, opens only after a precise sequence of movements.
Meanwhile, the pavilion also carries a climate message. About 70% of Japan’s land area is covered by forests, and about 40% of those forests are planted forests.
Although planted forests account for about 8% of the world’s total forest area, Japan has one of the highest planted-forest ratios globally. That reflects Japan’s long-running cycle of planting new seedlings after logging.
During growth, trees absorb carbon dioxide. Wood products also emit relatively low carbon dioxide during manufacturing and keep storing carbon throughout their lifespan as finished goods.
As a result, Gurunavi is pitching the products as both design items and lower-impact materials. The company says they can help support net-zero emissions goals and corporate ESG targets.
Decor + Design is billed in the briefing as Australia’s premier interior design exhibition. Across the three-day event in Melbourne, the Japanese pavilion will run for the full programme at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
