Giles and Alex hit Japan - May 2026

[nurunuru]

I did used to like a bit of the old basashi. If you get the chance to try whale blubber sushi, that is flippin' lovely. I think I only saw it maybe once in over 6 years there...

[nurunuru]

Though engawa sushi is my biggest can't-find-it-out-of-Japan osusume, for sure. That and geso (squid tentacle) salad roll.

[Giles]

Random (very) clips from the mill….

[Giles]

[Giles]

@alex is inside being filmed, so we have set up a temporary office office outside, and it is bloody cold in the shade on a cold morning in Kojima, so we are hoping he does not need too many takes....
.....

[Giles]

My turn…..

[Giles]

[Giles]

Someone has been testing the arc machine…..

[phoenixinflight]

@Giles Is that Tanaka-san on the left there? His customer service in Hachioji was absolutely exceptional

[Giles]

It is. I will pass on your compliments…..

[Giles]

Compliments passed on. He is embarrassed but obviously very pleased. And remembers you…

[jimcord]

I know this might sound kind of far-fetched, but do you ever think there’s the possibility that there could be a forum member trip to Japan where perhaps we would get to tour some of the mills and see how the denim is actually made in person and actually get to go to Iron Heart’s headquarters? I think that would be pretty special. I think it would be pretty fun and interesting.

[jimcord]

Giles, just curious have you looked at or added to your collection, the GS UFA watches?

[phoenixinflight]

@jimcord This would be a bit of a dream come true. I visit Japan regularly, so would be relatively easy for me but could be difficult for others I guess!

[phoenixinflight]

@Giles Appreciate that! Thank you. How very Japanese to be embarrassed over such a thing, haha. I'm looking forward to seeing him again in Hachioji in November. Keep the pictures coming

[Giles]

@jimcord said in Giles and Alex hit Japan - May 2026:

I know this might sound kind of far-fetched, but do you ever think there’s the possibility that there could be a forum member trip to Japan where perhaps we would get to tour some of the mills and see how the denim is actually made in person and actually get to go to Iron Heart’s headquarters? I think that would be pretty special. I think it would be pretty fun and interesting.

That, or a subset of that is not out of the question for 2027. Alex may possibly have a plan

[Giles]

Looked at the UFA’s. Ironically enough, apart from bragging rights, accuracy is not top of my list of priorities

[Giles]

[phoenixinflight]

@Giles This would undoubtedly influence my planned 2027 itineraries, so keep us posted please!

[phoenixinflight]

Nice phat bundle of wabby CPO's too! Still holding out for a chore jacket re-run before I invest in that fabric, though