The other day, N and I went on a business trip to Tokyo.
What for?
To visit brand exhibitions, which happen twice a year!
That's what for.
This time, we're checking out the new autumn/winter collections.
I wrote a little diary-style entry about what it was like.
Feel free to read it if you have nothing else to do and want to kill some time.
Even though it was late March, it surprisingly snowed in Tokyo!
The photo at Shinagawa Station doesn't make it clear, but it was snowing. Good thing the Shinkansen wasn't delayed!
Today, we'll be visiting four exhibition venues, all around Ebisu.
We're heading to Ebisu by train.
First, at 10:30 AM, we'll visit BUNON.
The designer is a very cute woman.
First, she gave us a quick explanation of the products, and then N and I tried things on and took pictures.
BUNON is characterized by its use of Indian silk and khadi cotton.
The knitwear and coats were excellent!
They also brought out their popular silk polka dot scarf, which sold out immediately last time, in different colors, and it was still adorable.
For all brands, since they haven't been officially announced yet, publishing photos is not allowed.
It's a shame I can't show you, but please look forward to autumn! ♡
The same designer also started another brand called shida last year, mainly focusing on cut-and-sew pieces. I was excited to find a superb cashmere silk teleco tank top there!
The designer herself said she created it out of her own desire, LOL.
We're running out of time.
Reluctantly, we hurried to the next stop, chimala.
The snow had turned to rain.
I don't know what kind of cherry blossoms they were, but they were blooming. Just a quick glance.
chimala was a little over 10 minutes walk away.
Actually, the exhibition period was already over, but we made a special request to see it at their office.
We arrived around noon, and though I felt bad, they graciously showed us around.
chimala is run by a husband and wife, and the wife (she's so cool!) was at the office and gave us an explanation.
This time, they had all-in-ones and thermal cut-and-sews made from excellent fabric, which got me excited again!
The main lineup hasn't changed much, but there were minor design changes, making it very interesting to see.
I'm hungry.
Our next exhibition appointment is at 3 PM, so let's have lunch!
I went to a sandwich shop nearby, but it was closed.
On the way, I saw a Chinese restaurant that looked delicious, so I went in.
Boom!!!
Shrimp Tanmen! (Noodle soup with stir-fried vegetables and meat)
Actually, I had never had Tanmen before and always wanted to try it.
A poster in the restaurant said, "Chanpon in the West, Tanmen in the East," so I realized it was similar to Chanpon. (Though subtly different, it seems.)
It was incredibly delicious, and the amount of shrimp was amazing.
No matter how much I ate, the shrimp never ran out.
Later, I asked a staff member, and they said there were about 50 shrimp in it.
I felt like I had eaten a year's worth of shrimp. Highly recommended for shrimp lovers!
On my way out, I saw the poster at the entrance again, and it probably said something like, "The most shrimp in Japan."
No lie there!!
I really, really recommend it to shrimp lovers. (Second time saying it)
After having coffee at the station, it was time to head to one of the main destinations, TOUJOURS.
On the way, N and I stopped at a shrine where she always visits to offer prayers.
By this time, the weather had improved.
The sun was even shining.
Judging from the lookbook before our trip, I thought this autumn/winter collection might be quite masculine.
And while it certainly leaned more masculine with ties and such, it was excellent!
The collection featured olive and gray prominently, and the new shirts, floral patterns, and jackets were impressive.
The popular boa series (this time only available in natural colors) had a fabric change. It was already light, but now it's even lighter!
Thinking "Ah, I want that (for myself)," I was seen off by the pleasant staff and designer, and then moved on to the next place.
Pink camellia, a quick glance.
After visiting one more place, when the day's schedule was complete, it was already dusk.
We took a train from Daikanyama Station, the nearest station, to Yokohama, where our accommodation was located.
It had been 30 years since I was last in Yokohama!
My memory of the last visit was hazy, and I don't even remember where I went besides Chinatown, LOL.
When we arrived at Bashamichi Station and stepped outside, I was amazed.
How metropolitan!
Too metropolitan!
Due to fatigue, I inexplicably got super excited when I saw a Pokémon postbox there, without even knowing why!
I took tons of photos.
Riding on that excitement, N and I immediately took the Air Cabin, a sort of ropeway (which didn't exist 30 years ago), from Sakuragicho Station, which was just a short walk away.
That also got me quite excited.
Highly recommend it at night, LOL.
Since we were already there, we decided to go to the Red Brick Warehouse, but it was full of young couples having dinner, so we quickly left.
After checking into the hotel, we had a light dinner with some craft beer and snacks nearby.
It was so refreshing...
Back at the hotel, I closed my eyes in bed, and it was morning in an instant.
Continued in Tokyo Business Trip ~ Kamakura Edition