Jon Kenzo Okeya's Tiny World Stories

Cat's Post Box

On one Summers day, Miko the cat had headed out of her flat to drop off some mail at the local post office. On her way there she had thought about her find Goro, her best friend that she hadn't seen since childhood. When the bus dropped Miko off at the post office she was surprised to see that her long-lost friend had been working at her local post box office this whole time. The two friends shared a long and warm loving embrace. @

Ramen Warehouse

It was the dead of night when a thief had snuck though the gates of the Ramen Warehouse. Inside were boxes with the most premium and most delicious ingredients for making a delicious ramen. The thief wasted no time gathering fresh green onions, Onsen eggs, and roasted bits of chashu. Luckily he was able to escape with all items in tow due to the extreme laziness of the Warehouse workers. @

Milk Apartment

Maruko the rabbit and her mother headed to the nearby Milk shop to stock up on 4 bottles of delicious milk. Unfortunately, the store had been closed all day due to a store owner's unwillingness to do any work. Luckily for the mother, Maruko was smart and noticed a small leak coming from the building. It seems as the owner had failed to see a fresh stream of milk coming from the top of his house! Maruko thought fast and had filled up all four milk jars she brought to the shop! @

Omusubi Island

This story is about the 3 years I spent in the Omusubi (rice ball) restaraunt SUNNY BLUE! I worked here while my wife Audrey built her online sticker store. I wanted to make a piece that had all the staff I worked with during my time. Still to this day I would LOVE the chance to go back there and work!   

Strawberry Croissant

This is a story about a family of farmers who grow and sell their own strawberries in a strawberry shop! I got inspired by the Japanese bakery OKAYAMA KOBO in Anaheim California!! 

Curry Pan Cave

A young father brings his two kids to a secret cave made of curry! This illustration is also inspired by my favorite japanese bakery Okayama Kobo!  

Calpico Konbini

Kentaro, a young convenience store clerk stops working to catch a glimpse of Nanako, a little girl who frequently visited the shop with her mother. Ken couldn't quite put his finger on what he was feeling. His heart felt like it was about to come out of his chest! He had not known at that moment but he had fallen in love with the little girl. It wasn't until a couple of years later where he would work up the courage to confess his love for her. @     

Karaage Konbini

Years later, Kentaro the little boy would grow up into a young man in high school. His feelings could no longer be contained for Nanako and he was ready to make it known. So, one faithful day in front of the fried chicken Konbini he decided to bite the bullet and hand her a love letter. Embarrassed at first Nanako opened the letter and accepted his love in her heart. 

Katsu Sando Konbini

 Even more years had passed and now Ken and Nanako have grown into adults together! Not only did they end up getting married, but they have also purchased their very own Katsu Sando Konbini together! It was opening day when all their friends from high school came out to celebrate the opening of their new store! 

Pocky Konbini

After years and years, Nanako and Ken had finally decided to settle down together and tend to their old pocky konbini. It was a humble life but they had lived it together with love in their hearts! 

Dimsum Town

On one warm evening, Shu a cook-in-training had received a handwritten acceptance letter to the illusive DIM SUM town. A secret village outside the city that trained pandas how to cook the most delicious dim sum dishes! Unfortunately for Shu, that summer accepted too many new students and the school was overrun with too many trainee cooks! Though the competition seemed fierce Shu was determined to continue onwards and become the number one chef in Dim Sum Town! @

 Mochi World

Have you ever heard about the tale of the rabbit on the moon? It's an old asian folktale about a rabbit that makes mochi on the moon! This illustration is part based off that folktale and part based on a family I know that makes mochi in Los Angeles! The building design is also inspired by fugetsu-do, a mochi shop in little Tokyo! 

Springtime Record Shop

Pink cherry blossoms float across the sky as we open on a family of rabbits who live above a record shop! The father tends to the record shop and is supposed to be helping his customers. Instead he's listening to music not giving any care in the world!  

Machiya Matcha House

Centuries ago a wandering Samurai gets lost along his travels and stumbles into a dark forest. It was then, he stumbled across a little green spirit that showed him the way to the exit. Hours later the samurai had come out of the forest only to find A house made from the remains of a giant ceremonial green tea mixing bowl. The doors of the house open to reveal a friendly Matcha Witch who communicated with the green tea spirits. The spirit showed him the way into the house and together with the witch they enjoyed a cozy evening drinking tea and telling stories. @

Spirits Matcha Latte Cafe

 Hundreds of years later after the samurai met the witch, the green tea spirits decided to one day become entrepreneurial and open up their own Matcha Boba latte tea house! I mean, if the humans can do it, why couldn't they? 

Coffee Springs

 Do you know the expression: "I love its so much I can swim in it?" That was the thought I had as I drew this illustration! I LOVE all things coffee and made the decision in my mind that if there were such a thing as a coffee hot spring I would be the first one there!  

Vita Lemon Tea

 Hong Kong Lemon Tea is the best!!! This drink is the SOLE reason why most of these tiny worlds exist in the first place! Audrey and I drink Vita all the time to replenish our art spirits while we work! I made this illustration as an escape from life. A house where Audrey and I can go to work on our projects and get our things done! 

Mythical Boba City

One starry night in the hidden Boba city, the daughter of a wealthy elite couple had gone missing. The mother had become impatient with the incompetence of the guards and demanded that they would find her daughter or they would pay the highest price! The guards fearing her threats had tripled their efforts and worked tirelessly thought the night trying to find the daughter. If they had only known that the daughter had hidden herself away high above the city to meet her one true love, a kind and tender bear. 

Heckelun Pudding Cafe

This tiny world is based off a real cafe in Japan that served the best Caramel Pudding. In an interview the owner admitted that the popularity he gained is great but he's sad that he can't serve every one of his customers due to the demand.  

I made this illustration to paint a picture of a scene where the customers helped him serve pudding and he would be able to give everyone his delicious pudding!

Sky Island Soft Cream

 Tucked away in the clouds lied a giant island made of soft serve ice cream! It had been inhabited by people who have lived there since the beginning. Unfortunately humans have found this special little sky island and had turned it into their own tourist attraction! 

Melon Cream Soda Seaside 

 This illustration is dedicated to the McCormick family. I love how they all love being outside and love running around in the sun. I made th'is as part of my Retro Series "RETRO LAND" to honor them and their sunny spirits. 

Father & Son Iced Coffee

My dad and I love getting coffee together. As a kid I remember the days where he would sit down with me in front of my local bakery and drink coffee while I ate some sugar cookies. As he's getting older he can't go around as much but from time to time we still hop in a car and drive to our nearest cafe. 

Strawberry Milk Apartment 

 This is the second in my milk apartment series! Maruko the rabbit and her mom had gone to a store that sold fresh strawberries and strawberry milk. Unfortunately for the mom, Maruko was too smart for her own good. As soon as she turned around her daughter was already carrying a large box of strawberry milk!  

Xmas Gingerbread House

 In 2022 I met the coolest group of people you'll ever meet! A couple of friends that make amazing art! This illustration was made during X-mas time when we were all selling our goods at Okayama Kobo Bakery! In the illustration Is Annabelle, the cookie-maker, Sharon the Pin-maker, Amelia the Illustrator, Rocky the owner, and Katie the creator! I love my fiends and I was so happy we could all meet this past year!