Dec 1, 2010
Exploring Shimokitazawa: Blanc Faon
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Exploring Shimokitazawa: Blanc Faon
Exploring Shimokitazawa, a funky neighborhood, West of Shibuya
Only one stop on the express train from Shibuya station (pictured above) you will find this lovely part of town, known as Shimokita to the locals. The area has a toybox feel thanks to its many narrow alleys that are inaccessible to vehicles and the streets are filled with theater halls, bars, restaurants and secondhand record shops.Below are some cafe's & shops we visited.
Visiting Kobe & Hiroshima
Wearing a kimono for the first time, what a magical exprience.
We were very fortunate to be invited to a Japanese wedding just outside of Kobe. It was the ideal occasion for my first kimono wearing experience! I had to choose my Kimono weeks ago, my husband's colleagues could not understand the measurements of my arms & we settled on the idea that I had 'freaky arms'. Fast worward two weeks and we travelled to Kobe (about 2h from Tokyo) for Moon-san & Rie-san's big day. The day started with a trip to a hair salon, where no one spoke English, thankgoodness I was given books full of 'Kimono Style Hair' & the what-else-but-funky hairdresser worked his magic for almost and hour. Next stop was the wedding venue to the fitting room where two ladies were waiting with a bag filled with fabulous materials. This took another hour, but it was an incredible experiece, they pulled and tucked, measured and adjusted painstakinly untill the last fold was made, golden wooden slippers were on and a matching gold box handbag was slung over my arm. They waved me off like a proud mother & I bowed in accordance. I loved every moment wearing the kimono & I'm now on the look-out for the next appropriate occasion.
Lily lost in the snow - Yuzawa, Japan
Our first Hanami 花見
My Japan Photographic Exhibtion - Top10 Images: 15 May
Thanks to everyone who got involved so far, much much appreciated. The votes are in! These are the Top10 images for this week, aren't they stunning? Please keep voting, uploading and spreading the news. The 50 images with the most votes will be exhibited on 11 May in Hiroo, Tokyo. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross Relief Fund. The photohgrapher with the winning image will receive a large print of his/her work. What does japan mean to you? To get involved by voting or to upload your own photos go to: My Japan. Thanks again and again.
Photos by (top to bottom): Alfie Goodrich, Danielle Demetriou, Gisela von Brunken, Alfie Goodrich, Andrew Woolner, Narina Exelby, Nadia Bunce, Nadia Bunce, Alfie Goodrich,
The Year In Kimono
My dear friend Kate from Magnifeco started this fabulous project: The Year In Kimono at the beginning of the year, I love this project and I'm very excited to share it with you.
She was recently featured in a Kimono Magazine Here (last two pics). I love seeing her in kimono, it is just the most beautiful thing and she carries it so well, completely effortless.
"The Year in Kimono started the way most good ideas form; with friends over some drinks. Thinking about the coming year – I wanted to add a ‘challenge’ to my resolutions and a friend suggested I spend the year in kimono. I had lived in Tokyo, Japan off and on for nearly 3 years and had yet to even wear a kimono, let alone make it my daily wear. But – I write a daily eco-fashion blog called www.magnifeco.com and am strongly committed sustainable and ethical fashion and this challenge would combine the two things I loved: sustainable fashion and Japanese culture. So I registered for Kimono School, got myself a kimono and the challenge began…'
To follow this project go to: The Year In Kimono and on Twitter