As we prepare for the launch of Tokyo Crafts line of Japanese camping products in the US for the first time, we're digging in to the design studies of some of their product line. View the full series here.
Rethinking Space
The Grahas Shelter was born from a single question: Can the outdoors feel spacious, calm, and elevated without becoming complicated? Tokyo Crafts set out to design a dome-style shelter that feels generous yet practical, bringing the comfort of a resort-like camp experience into a form you can carry and set up with ease.
Finding the Right Size
Larger dome tents exist, but once they pass a certain size, prices quickly climb beyond what most families can consider. Tokyo Craft focused on a 12 foot diameter, striking a balance between comfort, practicality, and accessibility. Their goal was to keep the benefits of a large dome tent—like spaciousness, a rounded form, and a small footprint on your campsite—while using as few poles as possible. This approach reduced setup complexity while preserving the sense of space, all while keeping the price within reach for dedicated campers.
What Makes a Dome Tent Feel Good?
The Tokyo Crafts team asked themselves what truly draws people to dome tents. Their findings showed that it’s the feeling of stepping into a space that is open and free from the claustrophobia of typical tents. A well-designed dome feels like a small sky above you, bright and peaceful, with a shape that feels soft and welcoming. The rounded, nearly spherical silhouette creates a sense of calm, while a self-supporting structure keeps your campsite tidy without sprawling across your entire plot.
Engineering Space with Less
Achieving this near-spherical spaciousness typically requires many poles, which add to both cost and setup time. Tokyo Crafts developed custom bent poles for the lower sides of the shelter, allowing the structure to flare outward and expand the usable floor space without adding unnecessary complexity. They also incorporated vertical poles to maximize the headroom inside, accepting the tradeoff of extra guy lines to ensure that the sense of space was not compromised.
Despite the unique structure, the Grahas Shelter passed wind-resistance testing at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, proving its stability in real-world conditions. Designed to fit within a standard 30×30 foot campsite, including guy lines and a vehicle, the shelter respects the practical limitations of most camping spaces while offering a large, open interior.
Practical Luxury
The Grahas Shelter offers a tall, airy interior with a maximum height of 8' 6", creating a feeling of openness that is rare in portable shelters. Large windows on either side frame views of your surroundings and allow airflow, with panels that can switch between mesh, open, or closed to match the weather and your preferences. A removable inner roof helps reduce condensation while softening the light that filters through. Entry panels can open fully, close completely, or convert to mesh, allowing you to adjust your shelter to the season and your personal camp setup.
Optional accessories like a living sheet make it easy to remove shoes and keep the inside clean, while TPU window panels allow you to enjoy the view even when temperatures drop. Every element is designed to add comfort without sacrificing the simplicity that makes camping restorative.
Changing the Feel of Camp
The Grahas Shelter turns an ordinary campsite into a comfortable, refined space without adding unnecessary complexity. It's a tent, shelter, and tarp in one bag. It carries the spirit of portable luxury into your next camp, making it feel like a retreat, even if you’re only a few miles from home.
