SHOPPE

SHOPPE

Friday, 25 October 2013

Photos from my shop I've taken in the last couple of months.
Used them for the new website which I have just finished.

Comments: 26

TAKEO PAPER SAMPLE SHOP

TAKEO PAPER SAMPLE SHOP

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Takeo Paper Sample Shop/Showroom in Jinbocho, for all paper lovers! You can see 2700 different papers in gradation at this beautiful space and you can actually buy the paper in A4 size. Once you are in there it's so hard to get out so be warned!

Takeo Paper Sample Shop/Showroom
3-18-3 Kanda-nishiki-cho Chiyoda-ku 101-0054 (google map)

Comments: 2

MYONICHIKAN BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

MYONICHIKAN BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Did you know there is Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Tokyo? There is, in Ikebukuro. Myonichikan building is a part of Jiyu Gakuen (School of the free spirit) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1921 and is now registered as an Important Cultural Property in Japan. The building is now used to host open lectures, there is a dining hall as well, and each room can be rented for gatherings, classes, seminars, concerts, parties, etc. Guided tour is also available on certain days.

The building is so beautiful and all the little details inside are remarkable! It was really lovely to be inside. I wish I had taken more photos to show you... It is definitely worth a visit if you like architecture or admire beautifully crafted work :) It's about 15 minute walk from Ikebukuro station, not that far away.

The last photo is of a publishing company's building (Fujin no Tomo Sha - Household's friend Company) that is related to Jiyu Gakuen only a block from the Myonichikan, designed by Raku Endo. Windows of this building were also lovely!

Jiyu Gakuen Myonichi Kan
2-31-3 nishi-ikebukuro toshima-ku 171-0021 (google map)
Best to check if it's available for inside tour in advance. Usually you can only see from outside on weekends. See the calendar here (Japanese) -->

Comments: 6

KAGOSHIMA - SUMMER

KAGOSHIMA - SUMMER

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Finally, here are some photos from Kagoshima....

Sakurajima getting so active. It's one of the world's most active volcanoes, it's a great symbol of Kagoshima too. I took a ferry over to Sakurajima and drove around it in my last visit to Kagoshima - it was pretty amazing.




Terukuni Shrine. I like the area around here, I didn't go this time but Sengan-en (Iso Gardens) which is right next to this shrine is really lovely.


Sun was so strong in Kagoshima.


Every time I passed this department store Maruya Gardens I smiled :)


I had been wanting to visit this coffee shop which we regularly buy coffee beans from if we go to Kagoshima one day! So happy to have made it!!


Such a wonderful little place, people are so kind, had the best cappuccino I've ever had in a long while. Voila Coffee, the best!

Exploring the old warehouse area near the port.


Very nice shop and cafe set up in one of the old warehouses in the area, GOOD NEIGHBORS by Landscape Products.




Very random, but it was such a quick trip these are about all I could explore in very little time I had in Kagoshima I went last month. It was not really a holiday but still I got to enjoy it.
All were very good and here are some information to share:


Voila Coffee
2-2 Higashi-sengoku-cho Kagoshima-shi

Maruya Gardens (Department store)
6-5 Gofuku-cho Kagoshima-shi
Check out D&Department and Chin Jukan Pottery Store on 4th floor as well as the organic vegetable stall on the basement (weekend only).

GOOD NEIGBORS (Cafe/shop/gallery)
7-1 Sumiyoshi-cho Kagoshima-shi

Remm Kagoshima (Hotel)
Very convenient location, reasonable, clean, modern and only 3 minutes walk from Voila Coffee!

Kumaso Tei (restaurant)
Good place to experience the Satsuma local traditional cuisine.

Sengan-en (Iso Gardens)
9700-1Yoshinocho, Kagoshima City, 892-0871, Japan

/////

Kagoshima is a really lovely place, I hope to go back again for longer and more relaxed holiday!

By the way, if you are planning to travel to Japan you can not miss Alice's amazing travel journey she made in Japan earlier this year, she shares her experience and addresses of all the incredible places she went to such as Naoshima, Teshima, Takamatsu, Okinawa and Tokyo with her beautiful photographs!
Check out her lovely blog Quaint Living!

Comments: 8

LAST BIT OF SUMMER

LAST BIT OF SUMMER

Saturday, 14 September 2013

Cricket chirping was replaced by that of cicadas and it felt like autumn for a little while, but summer is back and is still sticking around. Even cicadas are back. But hopefully this will be the last post talking (or complaining) about summer, I've had it. Although...I finally took the film to have it developed so I may be posting some photos from this summer later. Hope that's okay ;)

Earlier this month, I launched a new website for my online store, it took me so long to finally have it up since I started thinking about and working on it, like over 3 years ago....  When you are your own client and have no deadline it can take forever and it seemed it will never be done but it's done and I'm so pleased. I hope you will pop by and have a look if you have a moment --> uguisustore.com

I have a limited section for selling international artists works which I sell in my tokyo store, currently listed are lovely potholders by Renilde and postcards by Mary. I had Ros's zine too but it's already sold out! You can still order it directly from Polkaros shop.

Another thing..., lovely Ishtar asked me to do an interview for her charming blog a little while ago and it's up on her blog now, I'm talking about my shop and some thoughts behind it as well as little about my life in Tokyo. Thank you Ishtar for putting it together so nicely, and even with Spanish translations!

UGUiSU♥ on Ishtar Olivera


I hope you are all enjoying the lovely change of the seasons, either moving to autumn or spring.
And happy weekend!

Hiki
xx

Comments: 2