29th of February 2012 is special in many ways. Here in Tokyo, you get snow, chilly weather and slippery roads. Despite the unfriendly weather, this city looks best when snow falls. The crisp icy scene surely gives a three-dimensional quality. The news said that today might be the last snowy day of the year, and I see no reason on why I shouldn’t go outside and shoot. So please enjoy the pictures at the warm comfort of your home.
Tokyo is not all about its neon and business men in black suit. Its classic Asakusa area is just gorgeous as it has a particular style. Most tourists from both domestic and international loves it, as the neighborhood does offer you a real treat. Its ancient temples gives you a picture of its glorious past, while your senses will be triggered by the smell of baked sweet potatoes which collides with the scent of aging wood. As a former fashion writer, I was particularly intrigued with the people here and the way they dress. If you focus, you could witness a great mixture of past and modern Japan at every corner. So please take a walk and you will discover a whole friendly fashion scene that is made of tourists, locals, shop keepers and the legendary rickshaw boys in their extra tight pants.
A city, just like people others have their personalities. From this altitude, the view is limited to nothing but concrete buildings but if you explore down its every corner you will certainly find rewarding experiences.
Five minutes walk from Harajuku St and down through Ura-Harajuku (back streets of Harajuku) will take you to one of Tokyo’s few remaining handmade watch gallery. The site is called A STORY TOKYO and they are bringing more of their vintage rustic style to the streets with an impressive lineup of solid watches and jeweleries. Visitors can find items from local watch maker Gothic Laboratory, Mari Goto, bag label Ventriloquist and jewelery line by Kano Sakai amongst other brands. Please dig into the shop’s rich archive and get artistic right away. For those overseas, if you’re longing to get your hands on the inspiration pieces itself, please visit the A STORY’s online store.
A STORY TOKYO: Shibuya-Ku Jingumae 3-27-14 Tokyo 150-0001 Japan
One of my favorite morning shot.
You’ve watched the movie and Japanese food is your thing, then 99% you would get really excited to visit this Kichijoji based Izakaya. On the menu: Fried dumplings, yakitori, kimchi salad, edamame and fried karaage just to name a very very few. A friend booked a tatami style table and at first I wasn’t very convinced when I first entered this rugged 60 years old shop (it literally looks as bizzare as the set from the Quentin Tarantino directed movie). But after I consumed all the beautifully cooked meals mentioned above and a few glass of beer, what else is there to know? Surely ISEYA stands firm to inherit the status as an unbeatable post-bar hangout.
ISEYA: Musashino-shi Gotenyama Tokyo 180-0003 Japan
Yesterday I discovered what I would put in my top ten Tokyo hidden gems. While visiting a friend at Kichijoji area, I swung into this very fine looking design store called BONDO. It’s hard to believe that this store is still just a year old. In just over 12 months, this store has emerged as a go-to shopping destination for both design enthusiasts and creators. This growing success is unquestionably mainly because of the passionate gentleman behind this artistic landscape, founder Yuichi Murakami. Besides just being generally awesome looking, this shop also houses designated items for all your thirst for good design. Alongside with the site’s first anniversary,BONDO has teamed up with some of Japan’s breakthrough artists including: Ryota Aoki, YUMANIZUMU and 蝉semi for a monotone themed exhibition. Each of these rare items are 100% handmade and limited to just a few units, therefore I recommend and actually insist everyone to visit the store and check out for Mr.Murakami’s approved items. But for now please enjoy my exclusive peek sneak above.
BONDO: Musashino-shi Kichijoji Honcho 3-3-6 Tokyo 180-0004 Japan
Oyasuminasai
Most people think that Ginza is all about flashy monogram shops. If you still do, then you are just half right as this area also houses thousands of businesses and companies. Like Shibuya or Roppongi, another great Tokyo neighborhood, I believe that this place were built for variation. Ginza and its surrounding Yurakucho and Shinbashi area brings the social fabric of a metropolis together. They add to the allure of a town in a way as good beer bar, wine bar, or karaoke bars are just at every corner. If you don’t believe me, let’s stroll around one evening and then head over to one of the hidden bars around.
edo periode 