Amanda and I have just visited Tokyo.
Why? Because we love Japanese design, food and paper products.
Our aim was to visit the Ambiente Tokyo Gift fair at Big Site and see as many shops – large and small, art spaces and galleries. We were very busy, a lot of it decoding the train system which we became very efficient.
What stood out for me was the range of quirky styles the Japanese express themselves with – from Goth to Alice in Wonderland. These sit along side mainstream global trends from various other cultures. The current summer fashion season is very floral, lots of lace and layered.
People were very polite, helpful and do not speak all the time on their mobile phones (such a relief unlike China where people seem to have at least 2 phones each) although the Japanese are doing all sorts of other things on them. There is no rubbish and they move people around in an amazing way- wish we could do that here.
Amanda having dinner with her nephew Jake who is teaching english in Tokyo.
It was a successful trip- we feel inspired, refreshed and well exercised.