Tokyoshoes has become my own person reference site. In fact the word "blog" derives from weblog, literally a log of websites. The Google can't help with things like "what is the name of that fabulous Japanese photographer girl that does these crazy self portraits." (Well, actually that search returns one of her photos in #4 under images, but that's not my point). Since I wrote about her I could easily find her name on my site. So that I can find them again, here is my list of the Japanese supermarkets in NYC near me:

M2M (55 3rd Ave btwn 10th & 11th St) - a good selection of Japanese and Korean staples.

Sunrise Mart (29 3rd Ave between 10th St & 2nd Ave) - a great place to pick up some Calpis.

Jas Mart (35 St. Marks Place btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave) - Japanese food and beauty products.

It is not my bank, but I want the Hello Kitty credit card so much. The Bank of America website claims it is for: "Friends of Hello Kitty who want a rewards credit card." With this offer you also receive a FREE* "Exclusive Hello Kitty Business Card Holder!" They used to offer the Hello Kitty sequined change purse, which is totally more kawaii, but I'll live.

Last weekend I saw Heavy Light: Recent Photography and Video from Japan at the International Center of Photography (ICP).

By far my favorite were Tomoko Sawada’s series of Japanese school class photos in which she plays the role of every girl, piecing together her own self portraits.

I just uploaded my own self portraits on Flickr.

The show is on through September 7, 2008
ICP: 1133 6th Avenue at 43rd Street

Design Collaborations in Tokyo
an Exhibition of Photographs on and around Omotesando-dori

I will be having an exhibition of my photography at bite café in the East Village. The launch party is scheduled for Friday, June 6 @7pm.

Location: bite café
211 East 14th Street (2nd & 3rd) map

Date: June 6 thru July 31

Please come and introduce yourself!

I have been desperate to do an update on Tokyo street fashion. The look this season is all about the legs. Long gone are the bright colored outfits of the ganguro and while Lolita is still important it doesn't influence mass fashion to the extent it once did. Outfits are quite bland, but from the knee down the action happens. Either bright colored stockings: hot pink, purple, yellow (as if they took a highlighter to their legs) or black thigh high socks with white, neon yellow, or neon pick patent leather shoes. Shoes include thorough scuffing.

On the other hand, it is the guys who have it this season. Think James Dean meets Sid Vicious: spiky hair, skinny jeans, studded belt, boots. Tragically hip and way too cool for school.

I am in Japan for a visit. It is 4 years, almost to the day, since I left after living here for 3 years. I covered a number of my very important to do's:
- Sushi at Gonpachi
- Ramen
- Onsen (spa baths)

Took a visit to Koyasan (Mount Koya), famous for its temples and shrines. We stayed in a temple with monks, called Fukuchi in, tatami floors, no furniture except for a low table with a heater underneath, and one of those massage chairs. Vegetarian meals or "shojin ryori" were served in the room and included about 20 different dishes (who knew fiddlehead fern could be prepared in so many ways), many the consistency of raw egg white, others cubes of aspic shaped like lego, but most of which delicious. Breakfast was pretty much the same as dinner.

On Valentine's Day in Japan it is the women who gift the men chocolates, often as an obligation to male co-workers. This is known as "giri-choko" or "obligation chocolate."

A reciprocal marketing event in March called White Day has emerged for men to return the favor.

I will slowly be moving my photogalleries to flickr. The first main bunch are the photos I took on my trip to Tibet in August.

This is my favorite photo from the trip, mother & baby on Barkhor Street. I have this printed and hanging at home.

Citi® Payment Partner Program is specifically designed to help you manage your credit and finances better. The program rewards you with a statement credit just for paying down your balance. It's that easy - and best of all there is no fee to enroll.

I flew over Beijing on my way to Tibet and had an afternoon to re-visit the Forbidden City. I planned to take a few more shots to the Starbucks inside, as it seemed so bizarre and out of place. As of mid-July, Starbucks has been booted out or "left" as some of the news articles say. Fortunately, I still have my commemorative Starbucks Forbidden City mug.

About

Photography, fashion, footwear, and travel from a Japanophile's perspective. More...

Elsewhere

Metropolis
japanzine:"Best of Japan on The Web 2003"
webmonkey (04.08.03)
japan media review
The Foreigner Japan
San Francisco Design Center

syndicate this site (XML)