Tokyo fashion and gardens: Rikugien, Kyu-Furukawa and fashion in Omotesando

Tokyo fashion and gardens: Rikugien, Kyu-Furukawa and fashion in Omotesando

Sarah Deschamps and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The beauty of Tokyo is that this mega-modern city caters for various lifestyles and areas change quickly. If you adore fashion then Tokyo is an amazing city because you have a plethora of choices. Therefore, each fashion district is buzzing for different reasons and on the opposite side of the coin you have many lovely gardens to relax and enjoy stunning nature.

Omotesando is famous for high-end fashion because you have so many fabulous companies to visit.  This applies to international boutiques and Japanese boutiques. Also, the closeness to Aoyama, Harajuku and Shibuya means that this fashion area is one of the most dynamic in the world. This isn’t an overstatement, it is based on facts and the same applies to the diversity of fashion.

Therefore, in Omotesando you are on the edge of so many different styles. This applies to exquisite and elegant fashion, kawaii trends, street styles, Lolita fashion, Dolly Kei, Vintage fashion, mainstream, and a host of other styles. Also, the age range changes quickly and this all adds to a fantastic buzz and natural energy.

Grimoire is on the border of Harajuku and Shibuya and this company is extremely unique and vibrant. The same applies to many other companies like 6% DOKIDOKI and the talented designer Sebastian Masuda. Therefore, with companies like Grimoire, Candy, and 6%DOKIDOKI (Harajuku), you can feel a lovely individualistic style and other amazing boutiques have created a lovely buzz and vibrant spirit.

If you love more mainstream fashion and elegant designs by top notch boutiques then a visit to Omotesando Hills is a real treat. Inside this building of stunning architecture you have countless international and Japanese boutiques which are sublime.

This applies to stunning boutiques in Omotesando Hills which include Adore, Anterpima, Betsey Johnson, Black Fleece, Escada Sport, Tour H. creer (Merveille H.), Yves Saint Laurent, Zara, Tracy Reese, Kiwa Sylphy, iliann loeb, Milly, Tiara, Apartment Department, Martinique Le Conte, Patrizia Pepe Firenze (Incontro), Oriental News and so many others. In truth, every single boutique is a wonder to behold and the design and architecture of Omotesando Hills is a real treasure.

Therefore, if you love fashion then “think” Omotesando, Harajuku, Aoyama and Shibuya. Of course you have many fantastic fashion districts in Tokyo but this collective area is difficult to beat in any nation. After all, you can travel between each area on foot and the different trends and styles are amazing.

On the opposite side of the fashion coin in Tokyo are the many gardens which grace this amazing city. If you want a lovely contrast between vibrant and buzzing Tokyo with a more sedate and tranquil area, then Komagome is well worth visiting. This applies to lovely gardens and many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to visit alongside shops which focus on antiques and other products.

It is difficult to imagine than Komagome is so close to Ikebukuro with all its trendy fashion in yet another fashion district in Tokyo. Alternatively, it is also difficult to believe that Komagome is so close to Ueno which is blessed with so many museums and tourist places to visit. Also, fashion in Ueno is electric but in its own distinctive style and you have a more Northeast Asia feel about Ueno than the usual Tokyo vibe.

Yet in Komagome you can enjoy the stunning gardens of Rikugien and Kyu-Furukawa which is in the same area. Both gardens are kept beautiful all year round and the main walkways provide glimpses into the ethics of Japanese gardens.  Therefore, space, time, views, emotions, minimalism, and other elements, fuse naturally with aspects of Confucianism, Buddhism and Shintoism.

A real added bonus in Rikugien is that you can sit down and drink traditional Japanese tea and eat delicious Japanese sweets. At the same time, the view is amazing and you can look out and gaze at the stunning pond and see nature in all its beauty.

The pond in both gardens is the central theme but if you desire you can walk around more secluded areas. Komagome is extremely rewarding because of the therapeutic nature of both gardens. Therefore, if you want to escape the buzzing fashion districts of Tokyo or to enjoy the best of both worlds, then a visit to Komagome is essential.

The shopping district in Komagome is only small but you will find folk art stores, antiques, traditional Japanese sweets, Japanese dyed garments, ceramics, independent shops and so much more. Also, if you search around you will feel the sedate and tranquil nature of this part of Tokyo and another world will open up to you.

Kyu-Furukawa Garden is a little more natural despite the garden being well kept and while Rikugien Garden is the more famous garden, both gardens enrich each other. Not only this, the architecture of the Josiah Condor (1852-1920) Western-style residence in the Kyu-Furukawa Garden is a lovely bonus. Therefore, this building alongside the rose garden provides a lovely British and Japanese theme.

Overall, Omotesando and Komagome may seem like chalk and cheese however, this is what makes Tokyo so special. Therefore, a visit to both places will make Tokyo come alive and Tokyoites and tourists gain from both amazing places.

Please visit the  links  below for more information about both gardens

http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/rikugien/index.html

http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/kyu-furukawa/

http://www.omotesandohills.com/english/shops-restaurants/index.html  

Individual fashion companies

http://www.dokidoki6.com/

http://www.grimoire.jp/

http://candy-nippon.com/

Omotesando Hills

http://www.omotesandohills.com/english/  

http://www.adore2005.com/

http://anteprima.com/

http://www.ap-dp.com/  

http://www.betseyjohnson.jp/

http://www.brooksbrothers.co.jp/fleece/index.html

http://www.erikonail.com/

http://www.escada.com/

http://www.iliannloeb.com/

http://eu.jimmychoo.com/en/restofworld/page/home?notify=yes

http://www.kiwasylphy.jp/

http://www.lebois.jp/  

http://www.maccosmetics.co.jp/

http://www.merveilleh.co.jp/

http://www.melrose.co.jp/martinique/index.html

http://ameblo.jp/oriental-news-omotesando/

http://www.incontro.co.jp/

http://www.melrose.co.jp/tiara/

http://www.pasdedeux.co.jp/

http://www.ysl.com/d/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com  

ALL FASHION IMAGES BY MODERN TOKYO TIMES

 

Tokyo fashion: exquisite fashion districts and diversity of boutiques

Tokyo fashion: exquisite fashion districts and diversity of boutiques

Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times 

Fashion in Tokyo is simply dynamic and the creative buzz you can feel in this ultra-modern city is unbelievable. All major capital cities and famous cities will have famous fashion districts and London, Milan, New York, Paris, and Rome run of the tongue when thinking about fashion. However, the diversity of fashion in Tokyo and the numerous fashion districts is what makes this city tick when it comes to exquisite boutiques.

Famous international fashion streets with huge reputations based on sublime fashion applies to Fifth Avenue (New York), Avenue Montaigne (Paris), Bond Street (London), Via Montenapoleone (Milan), Bahnhofstrasse (Zurich), P.C. Hooftstraat (Amsterdam), Stroget (Copenhagen), Rodeo Drive (Los. Angeles) and Calle Serrano (Madrid). 

At the same time you have fantastic fashion in other major cities in Japan and Osaka is extremely trendy. This notably applies to the exquisite boutiques in Umeda and in Namba you have a lovely mix of high fashion and independent fashion. Meanwhile Kobe is extremely trendy and you have a lovely buzz in this city.

However, what makes Tokyo so special is the sheer size of fashion and the amount of districts you have in this fabulous city which caters for different trends and styles. Therefore, you are spoilt for choice because you have extremely sophisticated districts like Aoyama, Ginza, Harajuku, Omotesando, Roppongi Hills, and Yurakucho. Alternatively, you have a mixture of sophisticated fashion, independent boutiques and the buzzing nature of Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Shinjuku and elegant areas like Ebisu.

 

International wise you will have a wide mix of famous fashion districts which appeal to individuals. However, without a shadow of a doubt Aoyama, Ginza, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya and Shinjuku will be the most famous internationally but it is the collective which really makes fashion so special and unique in Tokyo.

Therefore, you have smaller suburbs which are brimming with elegant boutiques and their own styles. This applies to Daikanyama, Kichijoji, Jiyugaoka, Nakano, Shimo Kitazawa, Naka Meguro and other trendy places which provide a different ambience and vibe. These smaller districts provide a special feel because the sheer number of fashion areas in Tokyo is amazing. Also, you have other famous areas in Tokyo like Ueno and Odaiba which are fantastic for fashion and tourism is also a major theme in both places for very different reasons.

Jiyugaoka and Daikanyama are extremely popular and the feel in both places is special because you have so many back streets and the energy can be felt when browsing around. In Jiyugaoka the elegant boutiques, café bars, beauticians, quaint shops, famous cake shops (Dalloyau, Roll Ya Cake and Sweets Forest), restaurants, and other factors, all adds up to a lovely suburb which is blessed with stunning fashion.

In Aoyama and Omotesando you have sophisticated fashion in abundance and both places are chic and stylish. Therefore, you have famous international and Japanese boutiques in both districts which share the same space in trendsetting Tokyo.

In Aoyama you will find sublime boutiques in abundance and this applies to Comme des Garcons, Gucci, Prada, Donna Karan, Loveless, Michael Kors, 10 Corso Como, L’eclaireur, Vivienne Westwood, A Bathing Ape, Jil Sander, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Artisan, Stella McCartney, Cynthia Rowley, Paul Smith, Helmut Lang, Mark Jacobs, Tsumori Chisato, Costume National, Carbane de Zucca, Hanae Mori, Diane Von Furstenberg, Undercover, Design Works, Frapbois, and many others like Deuxieme Classe.

Meanwhile in Omotesando you have famous international and Japanese brands and both Aoyama and Omotesando, just like Ginza and Yurakucho, are exclusive areas for fashion. In Omotesando Hills which is a sublime fashion store you have exquisite companies like Adore, Anterpima, Apartment Department, Betsey Johnson, Black Fleece, Escada Sport, iliann loeb, Kiwa Sylphy, Martinique Le Conte, Milly, Oriental News, Patrizia Pepe Firenze (Incontro), Tour H. creer (Merveille H.), Tiara, Tracy Reese, Yves Saint Laurent, Zara, and other exquisite boutiques.

In another article about Tokyo fashion by Modern Tokyo Times it was commented that “The energy of exquisite fashion and individualistic fashion designers can be felt through the entire area which links Aoyama, Omotesando, Harajuku and Shibuya.  In many ways Omotesando represents all the beauty of this area because it links high quality fashion companies with independent and stylish boutiques and in the backstreets you can find street fashion.”

For the younger generation internationally the buzzing areas of Harajuku and Shibuya are extremely famous, while in Tokyo it is clear that Ikebukuro is buzzing with students, teenagers and people of all age groups. However, Harajuku and Shibuya are internationally famous and these districts throng with the latest trends.

Sebastian Masuda the designer and owner of 6%DOKIDOKI is iconic because of kawaii culture and “chaotic punk.” The younger generation who adore fashion in Barcelona, London, Madrid, Paris, and other famous cities, are fascinated by kawaii culture, Dolly-kei, Visual-kei, Lolita fashion, and other trends which keep on changing the scene in Tokyo.

Therefore, companies like 6%DOKIDOKI, Grimoire, Candy, Macaronic, Metamorphose temps de fille, and many others, are followed avidly by fashion conscious youth and young adults all over the world. At the same time you have iconic stores like Laforet Harajuku and Shibuya 109

In a past article it was stated that “Internationally famous designers like Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto provided a strong image for Japanese fashion and their energy was noticeable in the 1980s and onwards.  Yet younger designers and famous individuals are changing the evolving fashion scene and Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Sebastian Masuda, Rei Kawakubo, Nobu Kitamura, Junya Watanabe, Takashi Aoki, Tsumori Chisato, Yoshie Itabashi, Kuniko Kato, Chiharu Kikuchi, and others, are all maintaining the freshness of fashion in Japan alongside companies like Grimoire and Candy.”

The sheer diversity of fashion districts, boutiques, designers, thinking, and the ongoing trends which come and go, alongside internationally famous and Japanese boutiques is what makes Tokyo fashion so special.

Issey Miyake Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo, did so much to put Japan on the map internationally when it came to fashion. Then other generations have followed with their own thinking and styles and designers like Sebastian Masuda have reached out and maintained the rich vitality of fashion in Japan.

Fashion means many things to different people but at its heart it isn’t about famous individuals despite the limelight being hogged by a selective crowd. The heart of fashion belongs to new vibes, new trends, fresh thinking, relating to the times, and alongside this you will have continuity but freshness within exquisite brands. This collectively, and a host of other factors, is what makes fashion so powerful and full of energy.

Therefore, in Tokyo you will find this energy throughout the city and for fashion writers at Modern Tokyo Times it is the smaller fashion districts like Jiyugaoka, Shimo-Kitazawa, Daikanyama, Kichijoji, Naka-Meguro and other places like Nakano, which creates the uniqueness of Tokyo.

Of course the spark of fashion and Tokyo’s international appeal is based rightly on fantastic fashion districts, which include Aoyama, Ginza, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. However, when all the smaller fashion districts are included with more famous districts within Tokyo like Ikebukuro, Ebisu and Yurakucho; then collectively this is “the icing on top of the cake” and this is why Tokyo is unique when it comes to international fashion.

The contrasting styles between Japanese, North American, and European fashion, comes alive in Tokyo. Alongside this are established companies and new trends and brands which maintain such freshness and vitality. In Tokyo you are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to fashion districts, new styles, exquisite boutiques, independent boutiques and the sheer diversity of this mega-fashion city.

Simply put, Tokyo is “a real pearl” when it comes to fashion. Therefore, international fashion lovers have so many places to visit and multitudes of boutiques and styles to pick from in exquisite and trendy Tokyo. 

Famous stores

http://www.laforet.ne.jp/floor_guide/floor_1f_e.html  Harajuku Laforet

http://www.isetan.co.jp/icm2/jsp/store/shinjuku/info/iclub/index.jsp Isetan

http://info.keionet.com/foreign/index.html Keio Department Store

http://www.lumine.ne.jp/shinjuku/  Lumine

http://109guide.com/top_f.html Shibuya 109

http://www.maruione.jp/en  Marui

http://www.shinjuku-mylord.com/ Mylord

http://www.omotesandohills.com/english/  Omotesando Hills Shopping Mall

http://www.parco.co.jp/customer/  PARCO

http://www.takashimaya.co.jp/shinjuku/store_information/ Takashimaya

http://www.japan-hotels.ws/tokyo/aoyama/shopping.htm Where to shop in Aoyama

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html   Information about Shinjuku

Boutiques in Tokyo

http://www.adore2005.com/

http://anteprima.com/

http://www.ap-dp.com/

www.bape.com/   

http://www.betseyjohnson.jp/

http://www.brooksbrothers.co.jp/fleece/index.html

http://candy-nippon.com/  

http://www.commedesgarcons.org/

http://www.10corsocomo.com/  

http://www.cynthiarowley.com/

http://www.dokidoki6.com/   (6%DOKIDOKI website)

http://www.donnakaran.com/

http://www.erikonail.com/

http://www.escada.com/

http://www.frapbois.jp/

http://www.gucci.com/us/home

http://www.iliannloeb.com/

http://www.incontro.co.jp/

http://www.isseymiyake.com/en/

http://www.kiwasylphy.jp/

http://www.lebois.jp/

http://www.leclaireur.com/en/

http://www.lov-lab.com/  

http://www.maccosmetics.co.jp/

http://www.macaronic.jp/    

http://www.melrose.co.jp/martinique/index.html

http://www.melrose.co.jp/tiara/

http://www.merveilleh.co.jp/

http://www.metamorphose.gr.jp/english/

http://ameblo.jp/oriental-news-omotesando/

http://www.pasdedeux.co.jp/

http://www.paulsmith.co.jp/

http://www.prada.com/

http://sebastianz.jugem.jp/   (Sebastian Masuda)

http://www.smackyglam.com/   

http://www.stellamccartney.com/default/stores/Tokyo

http://store.costumenational.com/

http://www.tracyreese.com   

http://www.tsumorichisato.com/index.html

http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/

http://yaplog.jp/grimoire-blog/  

http://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/

http://www.zucca.cc/index.html

http://6girls.jugem.jp/   

Images of fashion in Tokyo

http://www.fashion-j.com/E/trend/201010.html

http://tokyofashion.com/6dokidoki-world-tour-harajuku-kawaii-experience

http://shibuyafashion.metrocity.nl/

http://www.metrocity.nl/tokyo/streetfashion/harajuku-fashion/     

http://tokyofashion.com/candy-sister-fashion-shibuya/   

Past articles

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2011/10/14/tokyo-fashion-omotesando-hills-and-adorable-fashion-in-tokyo/

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2011/10/20/tokyo-fashion-lumine-to-open-a-new-store-in-trendy-yurakcho/

http://moderntokyotimes.com   PLEASE VIST

 

 

Tokyo fashion: Omotesando Hills and adorable fashion in Tokyo

Tokyo fashion: Omotesando Hills and adorable fashion in Tokyo

Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Tokyo fashion is extremely diverse and you have so many places to visit throughout this ultramodern city. Irrespective if you are a Tokyoite or visitor to Tokyo you can’t but help to notice the sophistication of fashion in this electric city.  Therefore, you are literally spoilt for choice but if you like refined areas, a lovely mixture of Japanese and international fashion and a real vibe, then Omotesando and the entire area is one big fashion paradise.

This applies to the continuity of Aoyama, Harajuku, Omotesando and Shibuya. It is simply amazing and you have so many other areas of quality fashion. Therefore, for the fashion conscious Tokyo is a must and international tourists who love fashion will simply adore the many areas of this trendy and vibrant mega-city.

Omotesando Hills is a fantastic place to visit and see the rich variety of Japanese and international fashion. Also, while the initial issue of the opening of this building cast doubts, related to the old area which was loved by locals in Aoyama. It must be stated that many years later then all this seems like a distant memory because Omotesando Hills is certainly on the map.

Modern Tokyo Times took images of aspects of the fashion on show inside the building of Omotesando Hills. This applies to images showing fashion from Adore, Anterpima, Betsey Johnson, Black Fleece, Escada Sport, Tour H. creer (Merveille H.), Yves Saint Laurent, and Zara. 

However, you have other lovely fashion companies like Tracy Reese, Kiwa Sylphy, iliann loeb, Milly, Tiara, Apartment Department, Martinique Le Conte, Patrizia Pepe Firenze (Incontro), Oriental News and so many others. In truth, it is unfair to not name all the fashion stores because all are blessed with exquisite fashion, style and are full of panache. Therefore, please check the Omotesando Hills website for the full list of companies because you have so many sophisticated boutiques and other stores in this lovely fashion complex.

This luxurious shopping mall was designed by the highly acclaimed Tadao Ando and the architect he implanted was pure genius. This applies to the lovely layout, the nice imagery and the casual nature of browsing around because everything works like clockwork.

The building itself graces the entire area and inside it looks sophisticated without needing any glitz.  Instead, you have a building with natural light and which suits the landscape of this fashion conscious area.  Tadao Ando clearly won over many individuals and for newcomers to the area then all they will know is that Omotesando Hills is a landmark building.

Therefore, this is the highest compliment that could be given and today it is a must place to visit for fashion lovers who enjoy style, elegance, lovely fabrics, exquisite clothes and bags with quality and style. To cap all this, the ambience inside Omotesando Hills is extremely relaxing and you have a lovely environment whereby you can relax and drink coffee or eat delicious food. 

Also, you don’t have the rush factor or searching around for the odd quality fashion store. Instead, you have quality stores after quality stores and while the emphasis at Omotesando Hills is fashion, you also have other types of stores which compliment the elegance of this shopping mall.

Therefore, you have many beauty services and this works well with the entire theme of Omotesando Hills.  If this is you area of interest, or if beauty services will compliment your shopping, then you have quality companies inside this ultra-trendy shopping mall.

This applies to Createur Reveal (nail salon), hair make Pas de deux (hair salon), le bois (spa and beauty treatment), M.A.C. (cosmetics), and shu uemura beauty boutique (cosmetics).

Omotesando caters for exquisite ladies fashion, mens fashion, baby and kids apparel, jewelry, accessories, bags, beauty services, shoes, eyewear, watches, fashion goods, lifestyle and to add a real touch you have lovely galleries.  Also, you have many places to eat and drink and you have ample quality restaurants, cafés and bar food to cater for shoppers during your visit to Omotesando Hills. 

Overall, the fashion is exquisite, the choice is varied and the layout of Omotesando Hills is a treasure. If you love fashion and you want to enjoy a crème de la crème shopping mall then this is the right place to see the latest fashion trends.

http://www.omotesandohills.com/english/

http://www.adore2005.com/

http://anteprima.com/

http://www.ap-dp.com/

http://www.betseyjohnson.jp/

http://www.brooksbrothers.co.jp/fleece/index.html

http://www.erikonail.com/

http://www.escada.com/

http://www.iliannloeb.com/

http://eu.jimmychoo.com/en/restofworld/page/home?notify=yes

http://www.kiwasylphy.jp/

http://www.lebois.jp/

http://www.maccosmetics.co.jp/

http://www.merveilleh.co.jp/

http://www.melrose.co.jp/martinique/index.html

http://ameblo.jp/oriental-news-omotesando/

http://www.incontro.co.jp/

http://www.melrose.co.jp/tiara/

http://www.pasdedeux.co.jp/

http://www.ysl.com/d/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

ALL IMAGES BY MODERN TOKYO TIMES