AIn October 2025, I was invited to Japan by Phiaro, a visionary concept car company I first met at Pebble Beach. They had purchased one of my concept car paintings and later commissioned a live performance piece in Milan during Design Week, a 110 × 150 cm acrylic painting of their LEAN3 mobility scooter, completed on their stand in just four hours.
This time, the canvas was even larger, 333.3 × 218.2 cm, the concept more ambitious, and the setting unforgettable. Phiaro was launching their new Cypher buggy alongside the opening of their Shinoi Ring racetrack near Nikko. They asked me to create a dynamic painting in blue hues, featuring the buggy surrounded by iconic Japanese landmarks: Thunder Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, a five-story pagoda, Mount Fuji, and the celebrated dancer Miyu embodying their slogan, “Movement is Life.”
Having never been to Japan, I arrived on October 27th, buzzing with excitement. Teruhiko met me at the airport and took me to Hotel Gracery in the Ginza District. After dropping my bags, we headed out for traditional Japanese food in a cozy street setting, my first taste of the culture I was about to immerse myself in.
The next day, I visited Phiaro’s Tokyo office, where I saw their incredible work in robotics and concept vehicles for Lexus, Yamaha, Toyota, and Honda. One robot had strikingly realistic eyes, and I asked if I could bring one home for my autistic son Freddie, who’s currently obsessed with anything eye-related. It was also here that I first saw the primed canvas for the event. We projected my design onto it so I could map out the composition, a time-saving step for the live performance.
The following morning, after a quick and much-needed hair appointment, I arrived at T-Site Daikanyama, where my canvas stood proudly behind the Cypher buggy. At noon, I began painting: Mount Fuji rising in the background, landmarks unfolding below, and the buggy taking center stage. The crowd was lively with cameras clicking constantly. I was granted an extra half hour to refine the details before the painting was unveiled upstairs at the press conference. I spoke briefly, with my words translated into Japanese, Miyu danced on the stage and the celebrations continued into the evening.
The following day Teruhiko took me to the Japan Mobility Show and pointed out all the cars and robots his company had designed. The show was vast, I was amazed at the innovation, some of the designs and ideas truly took my breath away.
From Tokyo, we traveled to Nagoya to visit Phiaro’s second facility. We arrived by bullet train, a thrilling experience, especially when I saw we were traveling at 279 mph! At the factory, I saw my Milan painting hanging proudly in reception and was greeted warmly by the staff, who gifted me lovely souvenirs. That night, I was treated to Korean barbecue and discovered my new favourite drink: umeshu (plum wine) with soda.
Next stop: Kyōto, a city I’d long dreamed of visiting ever since reading ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ as a teen. Phiaro arranged a private tour with a personal driver, and it was everything I’d hoped for. We visited five temples, each steeped in history and atmosphere. The timing was perfect: early November, with the leaves just beginning to turn and the weather still mild. The bamboo forest felt otherworldly, and the Golden Pavilion shimmered in the afternoon sun like something from a dream. I even managed a bit of shopping: biscuits for Freddie, chopsticks for my brother, matcha and incense for friends and a fantastic hand-painted bag for myself. I tried several Japanese delicacies, the flavours were nuanced, surprising, and unforgettable. Kyōto felt like a place where time slows down, where every detail invites you to pause and look more closely.
After Kyōto, we traveled to Nikko, where the 2023 G7 Summit had been held. I was taken to the Shinoi Ring racetrack, which I’d heard so much about. I had the thrill of driving Teruhiko’s famous Toyota AE86 Corolla around the track and riding in Phiaro’s open-top Cypher car — fast, exhilarating, and unforgettable. There was talk of further commissions which could be used as bespoke Phiaro merchandise during a thrilling off-roading experience on their muddy track in their bright Greek Suzuki Jimny.
That night, we stayed in a fabulous traditional Japanese hotel with an onsen. Upon arrival, we were invited to don kimonos and slippers before a multi-course evening meal of incredible dishes I’d never tried before. After dinner and a few glasses of local Nikko beer (plus a couple of sake!) Mai Kato from Phiaro and I went to bathe in the hot springs. I couldn’t believe how warm the water was, we spent at least an hour relaxing (without bathing suits, as is the custom!). The sulfur turned my silver bracelet a dark grey, but thankfully a quick search confirmed that baking soda would restore it.
The next morning, after a stunning traditional breakfast, I visited the breathtaking Kegon Falls followed by the Futarasan-jinja shrine. It was a bank holiday weekend, and the queue was enormous, so we admired the shrine from the outside. Then Teruhiko treated me to an unexpected treat- a banana dipped in bright blue milk chocolate, decorated with a funny face made of sweets and topped with a cowboy hat fashioned from a Pringle and a marshmallow. What was not to love?
That afternoon, we drove back to Tokyo. Teruhiko took me to various hot spots, eager for me to see as much as possible before leaving, including the incredibly busy Shibuya Station. Tokyo at night was electric: neon signs, bustling streets, and the cleanest city I’ve ever seen. I treated myself to a fabulous, over-the-top jacket in the fashionable Harajuku district- something Elton John himself would be proud to wear on stage!
Japan was everything I’d hoped for and more. The fashion, the food, the culture, the graciousness — it all left a deep impression. I’m so grateful to Phiaro for their generosity, vision, and bold creativity. They think differently, push boundaries, and embrace art as part of their innovation. I feel lucky to call them collaborators and friends.
