A commonand hardworking presence in the everyday life of Filipinos, the coconut stands at the heart of The Philippine Coconut: The Tree of Life, Seed of Innovation, an exhibition at the Tokyo Design Hub that invites visitors to explore the coconut’s deep cultural significance and innovative potential.
Presented by the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan and the Philippine Embassy in Japan, with exhibition concept and curation by Salcedo Auctions, the exhibition brings Filipino ingenuity and Japanese precision together, guided by the shared values of craftsmanship and sustainability. It’s part of a comprehensive show devoted to the coconut, highlighting its expansive role in Filipino society.
Opening with the “Anatomy of the Coconut” to introduce products crafted from its components, the show showcased the coconut’s many uses, from wellness products to industrial applications, artisanal crafts and contemporary home décor.
A highlight is a pavilion dedicated to Tahanang Pilipino, formerly known as the Coconut Palace. Inside it is a floating maquette of the iconic building, alongside never-before-exhibited watercolor renderings of the original interiors and an immersive virtual reality walkthrough, allowing visitors to experience its vision and scale.
The exhibition runs until 30 January at the Tokyo Design Hub, 5/F Tokyo Midtown, Akasaka, Tokyo. It invites audiences to see the coconut as a powerful symbol of Filipino ingenuity and resilience — one that bridges tradition and contemporary innovation and continues to inspire new possibilities across disciplines and borders.
Curated, organized and presented through Salcedo auctions.