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37 Color Palettes Inspired by Japan

37 Color Palettes Inspired by Japan

Japan is a culture of centuries-old, strict traditions that govern almost everything, so it’s no surprise to learn they’ve also developed a collection of traditional colors, known as dentouiro 伝統色でんとういろ. (source)

During our recent travels, Japan’s landscapes, fabrics, architecture and people inspired us to create some color palettes of our own. Each of these 36 photos from Japan tells a travel story – and has inspired its own unique color palette. Use these color ways to start planning your wall colors, your decor, your outfit or any color scheme.

Let’s start the tour in Kyoto…

1. Arashiyama, The Bamboo Forest

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Florentine / Oxblood
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Florentine / Oxblood
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Bakuba Lodge / Kola
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Bakuba Lodge / Kola
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - African Paint / Turquoise
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – African Paint / Turquoise

2. Moss in a Buddhist Cemetery

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Outdoor Pillow - Medina Arch
    Outdoor Pillow – Medina Arch
  • Green Shibori Tie-Dye Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Shibori / Moss
  • Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Shibori Moss
    Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Shibori Moss

3. Earthenware Pottery in a Teahouse

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Black 8" Tapered Candles (Boxed Set of 2)
    Black 8″ Tapered Candles (Boxed Set of 2)
  • Heather Linen Napkins - Set/4 - 2 Sizes
    Heather Linen Napkins – Set/4 – 2 Sizes
  • 24 Paper Placemats - Ludlow
    24 Paper Placemats – Ludlow

4. The Floating Torii Gate

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • 8" Tapered Candles - Rust
    8″ Tapered Candles – Rust
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Bakuba Lodge / Kola
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Bakuba Lodge / Kola
  • JuJu Rust - Acrylic Art Block
    Acrylic Art Block – Juju Hat Rust

5. A Shogun’s Palace

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Jute
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Jute
  • Blue Shibori Tie-Dye Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Shibori / Hyacinth
  • Tan Striped Japanese Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Tatami / Sand

6. A Village Shrine

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Large Decorative Acrylic Matchbox - Solitude Night
    Large Decorative Acrylic Matchbox – Solitude Night
  • Drapery Tieback with Tassel - Night
    Drapery Tieback with Tassel – Night
  • Brass Nesting Bowls - Set of 4
    Brass Nesting Bowls – Set of 4

7. A Gilded Screen

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Luxurious Velvet Pillow - Forest Green with Bakuba Lodge Welt 18x18
    Luxurious Velvet Pillow – Forest Green with Bakuba Lodge Welt 18×18
  • Canvas Wall Art - Juju Blue
    Canvas Wall Art – Juju Blue
  • Savanna Morning - Metal Wall Art
    Aluminum Art Print – Savanna Morning

8. Paper Lanterns

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Black 8" Tapered Candles (Boxed Set of 2)
    Black 8″ Tapered Candles (Boxed Set of 2)
  • Bedouin Hand Embroidered Pillow
    Bedouin Hand Embroidered Pillow
  • Acrylic Art Block - Parasol
    Acrylic Art Block – Parasol

9. A Tea Ceremony

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • 24 Paper Placemats - Savanna
    24 Paper Placemats – Savanna
  • 24 Paper Placemats - Moulou
    24 Paper Placemats – Moulou
  • Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Shibori Moss
    Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Shibori Moss

10. A Verdigris Lion Dog

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • The Grand - Forest Green / Broadway Willow Trim
    The Grand – Forest Green / Broadway Willow Trim
  • Broadway Trim - Willow
    Broadway Trim – Willow
  • Sitar Shaped Brass Pull
    Sitar Shaped Brass Pull

11. Iron and Mountains

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • 8" Tapered Candles - Rust
    8″ Tapered Candles – Rust
  • Square Lucite Tray - Fancy Pants Bob
    Square Lucite Tray – Fancy Pants Bob
  • Large Acrylic Matchbox - Savanna Morning
    Large Acrylic Matchbox – Savanna Morning

12. A Sense of Zen

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Dark Green Turkish Kilim Woven Throw Pillow
    Dark Green Turkish Kilim Woven Throw Pillow
  • Shibori Sand Linen Textured Pillow
    Shibori Sand Linen Textured Pillow
  • African Glass Bead Necklace - Light Green
    African Glass Bead Necklace – Light Green

13. Wooden Shoes

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • weekend bag vegan suitcase
    Travel Bag – Kashmir Black
  • Drapery Tieback Tassel - Jute
    Drapery Tieback Tassel – Jute
  • Drapery Tieback with Tassel - Night
    Drapery Tieback with Tassel – Night

14. A Smiling Attendant

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Lumbar Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Medina Arch
    Lumbar Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Medina Arch
  • Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Obi Roses Taupe
    Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Obi Roses Taupe
  • Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Parasol
    Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Parasol

15. Pottery for Sale

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Summer House / Navy
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Summer House / Navy
  • Square Pouf - Shibori Indigo
    Square Pouf – Shibori Indigo
  • Brass Nesting Bowls - Set of 4
    Brass Nesting Bowls – Set of 4

15. A Tokyo Street

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Blue and White Ikat Pillow
    Blue and White Ikat Pillow
  • Brown Shibori Tie-Dye Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Shibori / Sand
  • Beaded Tassel - Bengal
    Beaded Tassel – Bengal

16. Tokyo Traffic

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • The Ritz - Gold
    The Ritz – Gold
  • Drapery Tieback Tassel - Jute
    Drapery Tieback Tassel – Jute
  • Blue Shibori Tie-Dye Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Shibori / Hyacinth

17. Zen Garden

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Lumbar Outdoor Pillow - Shibori Moss
    Lumbar Outdoor Pillow – Shibori Moss
  • Cameo / Fancy Pants Beau Outdoor Pillow
    Cameo / Fancy Pants Beau Outdoor Pillow
  • Fabric by the Yard - Bakuba Lodge / Kola
    Fabric by the Yard – Bakuba Lodge / Kola

18. Another View of the Bamboo Forest

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.

  • Tan Striped Japanese Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Tatami / Sand
  • Beaded Tassel - Shola
    Beaded Tassel – Shola
  • Forest Green and Brown Velvet Ikat Pillow
    Forest Green and Brown Velvet Ikat Pillow

19. Tribute to the Ancestors

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.

  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Jute
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Jute
  • Green Shibori Tie-Dye Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Shibori / Moss
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Thatch
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Thatch

20. A Zen Monument

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • African Paint Lumbar Linen Textured Pillow
    African Paint Lumbar Linen Textured Pillow
  • African Glass Bead Necklace - Light Green
    African Glass Bead Necklace – Light Green
  • African Paint - Acrylic Art Block
    Acrylic Art Block – African Paint

21. Garden Path

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • 24 Paper Placemats - Medina
    24 Paper Placemats – Medina
  • Bohemian Hanging Mobile - Green
    Bohemian Hanging Mobile – Green
  • Enlightened - Metal Wall Art
    Aluminum Art Print – Enlightened

22. Hie-Jinja Temple

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Canvas Wall Art - Juju Taupe
    Canvas Wall Art – Juju Taupe
    Product on sale
    $28
  • Drapery Tieback Tassel - Jute
    Drapery Tieback Tassel – Jute
    $28
  • Fabric by the Yard - Bakuba Lodge / Kola
    Fabric by the Yard – Bakuba Lodge / Kola
    $130

23. Traditional Geiko

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Miya Mia - Acrylic Art Block
    Acrylic Art Block – Miya Mia
  • Ling Ling - Acrylic Art Block
    Acrylic Art Block – Ling Ling
  • Zhen Zhen - Acrylic Art Block
    Acrylic Art Block – Zhen Zhen

24. Tofu and Sake

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Handmade Vintage Chinoiserie Napkin Rings - Set/6
    Handmade Vintage Chinoiserie Napkin Rings – Set/6
  • Square Lucite Tray - Savanna Morning
    Square Lucite Tray – Savanna Morning
  • 24 Paper Placemats - Moulou
    24 Paper Placemats – Moulou

25. Tourists Playing Dress-Up

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Felt Tote with Vintage Medallion - Dark Gray
    Felt Tote with Vintage Medallion – Dark Gray
  • The Salena - Foldover Kantha Clutch in Turquoise
    The Salena – Foldover Kantha Clutch in Turquoise
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Bryony Storm / Noir
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Bryony Storm / Noir

26. Wedding Day

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Broadway Trim - Cocoa
    Broadway Trim – Cocoa
  • Broadway Trim - Gold
    Broadway Trim – Gold
  • Jewel Tone Fabric by the Yard - Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Bisnagar Stripe / Crimson

27. Koi Pond

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Antique Brass and Amber Brooch
    Antique Brass and Amber Brooch
  • The Verymore Marmalade Trim - by the yard
    The Verymore Marmalade Trim – by the yard
  • Brass Nesting Bowls - Set of 4
    Brass Nesting Bowls – Set of 4

28. Cherry Blossoms

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Lumbar Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Parasol
    Lumbar Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Parasol
  • Acrylic Art Block - Parasol
    Acrylic Art Block – Parasol
  • Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Parasol
    Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Parasol

29. Graphics and Signs

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Jute
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Jute
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Night
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Night
  • Savanna Morning - Metal Wall Art
    Aluminum Art Print – Savanna Morning

30. Geisha and Parisol

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Jacquard Pillow Sham - Black, Gold, Red, Black Fringe
    Jacquard Pillow Sham – Black, Gold, Red, Black Fringe
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Pantera / Night
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Pantera / Night
  • Bedouin Hand Embroidered Pillow
    Bedouin Hand Embroidered Pillow

31. Water Lilies

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Palace
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Palace
  • Large Brass Elephant Tusk Handles - Set/2
    Large Brass Elephant Tusk Handles – Set/2
  • Blue Shibori Tie-Dye Fabric Exclusively by SmithHönig
    Fabric by the Yard – Shibori / Hyacinth

32. Ancient Architecture

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Henna
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Henna
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Palace
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Palace
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Night
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Night

33. Modern Lights

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Long Handmade Tassel
    Long Handmade Tassel
  • All Love - Acrylic Art Block
    Acrylic Art Block – All Love
  • Black Velvet/Beaded Pillow
    Black Velvet/Beaded Pillow

34. Tokyo Sunset

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Handmade Seagrass Hanging Mobile from Peru - Orange
    Handmade Seagrass Hanging Mobile from Peru – Orange
  • Fabric by the Yard - Andean Summer / Sunset
    Fabric by the Yard – Andean Summer / Sunset
  • JuJu Blue - Metal Wall Art
    Aluminum Art Print – Juju Hat Blue

35. Snow Monkey

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Mid-Century Turquoise and Silver Cuff Bracelet
    Mid-Century Turquoise and Silver Cuff Bracelet
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Henna
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Henna
  • Medina Arch - Metal Wall Art
    Aluminum Art Print – Medina

36. Sake Set

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • Velvet Pillow - Luxury Vegan - Solitude Pantera Night Left Facing
    Velvet Pillow – Luxury Vegan – Solitude Pantera Night Left Facing
  • Peel and Stick Wallpaper - Fancy Pants / Beau
    Peel and Stick Wallpaper – Fancy Pants / Beau
  • Beaded Tassel - Bengal
    Beaded Tassel – Bengal

37. Pink Skies

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.
  • The Luxe - Lumbar Navy with Navajo Road Welt
    The Luxe – Lumbar Navy with Navajo Road Welt
  • Brass Top Silk Tassel - Palace
    Brass Top Silk Tassel – Palace
  • Enlightened - Metal Wall Art
    Aluminum Art Print – Enlightened

Shop Boho Luxe Home products inspired by our travels to Japan…

Japenese Color Palettes - Here are Japanese color palettes, perfect inpspiration for bringing a touch of Japan into your home.

SmithHönig

Which colors from our Japanese color palettes were your favorites? Did any of these combinations surprise you? Do you plan to incorporate any of these colors or any Japan-inspired SmithHönig products into your home decor? We would love to know!

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