Steve & Lynne’s Japan Diary…

[Shane B]

@Steve Many thanks Steve.

[Lynne]

Running out of ‘film’, but still going. This is a couple of days ago.

We started the day at Omicho Market for a gourmet wander before heading over to Higashi Chaya. Beautiful old streets with loads of character.

Picked up the car near Kanazawa Station and its huge wooden Tsuzumi Gate, then headed up into the mountains to Ainokura, one of the traditional gassho villages. A truly impressive place – steep thatched farmhouses tucked into the hills and a much quieter feel than some of the better-known villages.

Next stop was a washi paper workshop where we were introduced to traditional Japanese paper making. Really interesting despite language barriers - and something similar I want to do for ReLove by pulping our smallest denim offcuts.

From there we drove the sandy Chirihama Beach Driveway and watched the sun set over the Sea of Japan. Another highlight of the trip.

Then finished the day back in Kanazawa with a wander through the samurai district after dark. Definitely a brooding masculine vibe going on there.

Feeling fulfilled. Couldn’t have packed anything more into the day.

[goosehd]

I am loving following you two on this trip! Is there any one thing so far that you wish you could have spent more time?

[Steve]

@goosehd I know Lynne wanted to spend a day doing a weaving course, and there was also an Indigo dyeing course she had her eye on - she might still manage one, but I think we probably needed a few more days (or weeks)!!!

[Steve]

Last stop on road trip is Takayama - the ‘old town’ was our stay, and well worth it - gorgeous looking building along a river. The highlight was experiencing Hida beef - a brand of Wagyu - and it tastes soooo good!

If you ever get to this area make it a point to try it.

[ARNC]

@Lynne said in Steve & Lynne’s Japan Diary…:

and something similar I want to do for ReLove by pulping our smallest denim offcuts.

This is a great idea. Look forward to seeing how you run with it.

[Steve]

oh, and a few expected shots of Takayama and its surrounding area…

[Lynne]

Wherever you are in the world, it’s good night from me and it’s good night from him

[Matt]

So is the plan to shift production from Japan to Gosport by teaching @Lynne to do everything?

[Jord]

This has been such a joy to follow, you guys have done so much whilst in Japan, thank you for sharing it with the forum! I want to visit next year at some point and I'm definitely going to take some inspiration from what you've done whilst there

[Steve]

Back in Tokyo now for a couple of days after our rural exploring…

[Steve]

A day of neon, old Nintendo’s, lovely fruit and cream sandwiches, very bright toys and dog shops everywhere!

[Steve]

Last day/night in Japan - so packing in as much as we can, first up to the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa

Then popped down to Kappabashi, renowned for their knive shops (picked up something for our son Jack, who’s moving into his first house very soon)!

Then off to Jimbocho area, which is known for its vintage books/magazines - literally every other shop! Could have spent all day in just one of those shops! Next time I will need to build some time to explore more. But did pick up some vintage cinema promos - love the typography on these.

[Steve]

Last night in Ginza area, popped out to get some night street photography - so much going on, I almost got lost concentrating on taking pics than where I was walking - iphone maps to the rescue! Again, needed more nights in Tokyo to do more of this!

[AdamJ]

nice mate

[AdamC]

Class pics @Steve safe travels home guys

[ROman]

@Steve Nice journey, thanks for taking us along.

[jordanscollected]

@Steve I can see one of those vintage pieces as a pocket of a STF shirt.

[Brian]

Safe trip home guys
Steve the pictures are amazing
The last set has such a muted detail but such warmth and brightness to them, a credit to you

[Tyler]

Safe Journey home guys! - Reliving my trip through your photos!