Casserole: Image credit @meganenoo

These creations are the works of Kazuhiko Nishitaki, a 75-year-old from Osaka, Japan. Kazuhiko started working on these paper sculptures of food at the age of 70 simply as a hobby, having a good laugh occasionally by leaving a lifelike sardine in the refrigerator for his wife or pranking his grandchild to hand over a fake sweet bun.

It was little more than just a side interest of him before his son, who was convinced his father had a special talent, opened a Twitter account @meganenooo to post photos of Kazuhiko’s works. His intuition was right - it did not take long before the unique and playful creations attracted tens of thousands of likes and more than 9,000 followers, preceded by several invitations to local exhibitions.

Kazuhiko's stash of Washi paper rolls and strips.  Image credit @meganenoo

The primary material Kazuhiko uses is Washi paper of different colors and textures. He never paints or dyes his creations, but rather takes advantage of the colors of the paper and the gradation in it to make a tone. Along with Washi’s handcrafted feel and its slightly translucent look, the paper-made foods not only look realistic, but also incredibly appealing.

Matcha tiramisu. Did you see the wooden container is also made out of Washi paper?  Image credit @meganenoo

In-flight meal  Image credit @meganenoo

Canapés Image credit @meganenoo

Tea Image credit @meganenoo

Bread Image credit @meganenoo

Spring rolls  Image credit @meganenoo

Bento box  Image credit @meganenoo

Cream filled chocolate cookie sandwiches  Image credit @meganenoo

Ooops! Cup Noodles  Image credit @meganenoo

Watermelon slice  Image credit @meganenoo

Box of chocolate  Image credit @meganenoo

Cake  Image credit @meganenoo

Chocolate ice cream  Image credit @meganenoo

Sushi  Image credit @meganenoo

Takoyaki. The pan is made out of Washi paper, as well!  Image credit @meganenoo

Soup. I looked closely, but still don't understand how the artist made the mitsuba garnish look like floating atop the broth! Do you?    Image credit @meganenoo

Yakitori on skewers  Image credit @meganenoo

Kintsuba (sweet bean cake)  Image credit @meganenoo

Chicken legs with roasted vegetables  Image credit @meganenoo

Fried egg  Image credit @meganenoo

Chocolate cake  Image credit @meganenoo

Grapes in syrup  Image credit @meganenoo

Grape jelly  Image credit @meganenoo

Ice cream  Image credit @meganenoo

Tempura  Image credit @meganenoo

Kazuhiko is showing a great example that it’s never too late to start something new, no matter how old you are!