Typhoon Day

Even though today there was a typhoon, the trains were shut down, and we couldn't really go anywhere, I still managed to find some sunshine..

Daily Special

Menu on the wall of a noodle shop in Tokyo.  Nice type layout.

Meant For Each Other

What's Your Sign?

Call me a simple guy with simple needs - I just like this ultra-straightforward layout and type execution. Great 2-colour graphic.

They Think Of Everything!

I went grocery shopping at a supermarket in Tokyo, and goddamn, they even incorporated an umbrella holder into the cart design!  Freaking amazing..

Better Than Rambo Getting Shaved Dry

I had a week's worth of stubble that needed to come off, so I thought I'd see what a local Japanese barber shop was all about.  There just happened to be one right around the corner, so why not?

Walking in, it had the sterile scent of a hospital, and one look at the equipment, and you knew that this mom 'n' pop joint was old skool.

Apart from the fact that they shaved my whole face! (I kept worrying that it would grow back thicker??) - other than that, it was a pretty relaxing experience, but not cheap - ¥2000 (U.S.$20).

Sticker Of The Day

Loungin'

Met some friends at this nice chill spot in Shibuya called Respekt.  It's a cafe in the daytime, and at night, turns into a great place to hang out for a bit of food and drink.

http://www.sus-shibuya.com/

Not Just Retail

Went to check out Tokyo Midtown, the high end retail mall in Roppongi. With it's extensive use of wood and soft lighting, it creates a mood of warmth and comfort that I've never experienced in any other large scale retail space before. Normally, I hate shopping malls. But I would have to say that this is one of the few exceptions - its design allows it to be luxurious and elegant, without seeming inaccessible.

Apart from the retail, there are also great places to eat and drink, including a Terence Conran restaurant, Botanica, as well as a wine bar called Coppola's Vinoteca, which showcases the wines from Francis Ford Coppola's boutique vineyard.

Part of Tokyo Midtown's vision is that there needs to be a shift from a production-oriented society to a creation-oriented society in order to remain at the forefront. With that in mind, this project also includes the Suntory Museum of Art, Tokyo Midtown Design Hub, and 21_21 Design Sight, a design gallery/workshop created by fashion designer Issey Miyake and architect Tadao Ando.

"The idea was to create not only a museum that shows exhibits, but also a place for researching the potentiality of design as an element that enriches our daily life, a place that fosters the public's interest in design by arousing in them different sights and perspectives on how we can view the world and the objects surrounding us." - Tadao Ando

The entire project is also eco-friendly, with a lot of green space incorporated into the design (40% of the total grounds), including Midtown Garden and adjacent Hinokicho Park. Water recycling, and electrical and heat saving technologies are utilized in all the buildings.

Tokyo Midtown is the model after which all future urban multi-use developments should aim towards.

More info on Tokyo Midtown here.

Hidden Gems

My friend brought me to this great lounge tucked away in Nishiazabu, called Amrta Bar. It's hidden down an alley, and is in the basement of a residential building, so you'd never know it was there. But once inside, you'll find a cozy bar with a good mix of people, a constantly updated art exhibition, and a chill soundtrack (with some nights having a live performance).

Their website here.