ARTICLES
CRAFTSMANSHIP
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LEARN MANGA SKILLS FROM A PROFESSIONAL CARTOONISTCelebrated manga artist Britney Hamada has made a name for herself through her acclaimed work. Learn the tricks of the drawing trade through an exclusive portrait class led by Hamada herself in Tokyo’s Asakusa area.
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A FOODIE'S PARADISE -
DELICATE AROMAS OF JAPANScent, emotion, and memory are inextricably intertwined - so what finer way to mark a sojourn in Tokyo than visiting the atelier of a globally-acclaimed perfumer. Aromas that capture the very essence of Japan await.
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BEAUTIFYING THE BROKENKintsugi is the art of "golden repair," and a window to the soul of Japan that values the venerable and the perfectly imperfect. A timeless technique, it can be experienced on a visit to the contemporary artisans of Tokyo finding innovative applications for the art.
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TOKYO AS A HUB OF CULTUREThe culture of craftsmanship reaches each corner of Tokyo, imbuing every art form and experience with an extra dimension. Experts on crafts from across the country concentrate here at the nation's hub, and Tokyo has an artisan for almost any craft you can imagine, be it elegantly simple or richly refined, waiting to welcome you into their world.
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A MODERN TASTE OF KINTSUGIFrom a rare encounter with a legendary kintsugi artist to an exquisite tea ceremony-inspired cocktail experience - slow down and explore the rich cultural landscape that lies beneath the surface of Tokyo’s fast-paced urbanism.
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APPRECIATING NATURE, THE JAPANESE WAYIn the art of bonsai, little pots hold fascinating miniature worlds encapsulating many of Japan’s ancient aesthetic ideals and philosophies. Meet an acclaimed bonsai master in Tokyo, and discover a new way to appreciate nature and Japanese culture through his timeless works of living art.
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The Pinnacle of Craftsmanship : Bespoke Shoes by SonomitsuLovingly tailored to each customer, Sonomitsu’s handmade shoes are a superb example of Japanese craftsmanship. Cap your exploration of the charming, history-laden area of Yanesen in northeast Tokyo by visiting shoemaker Hajime Sonoda at his atelier for a personalized shoe consultation.
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EDO KUMIKO : AN INTRICATE AFFAIRVisit this small Edo workshop, specializing in delicate wooden latticework, and bring back a piece of Japanese carpentry history in the form of a beautiful andon lantern, a speciality of Takahiro Tanaka who continues this proud Tokyo tradition.
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EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC TRADITIONFrom traditional craft techniques to the elaborate tea ceremony, a host of unique hands-on experiences awaits the traveller to Tokyo.
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COLLABORATION OF BLOWING AND CARVINGEdo Kiriko glass – a handmade artistic tradition crystallizing the spirt of Tokyo. Glass hand-blown by Tajima Glass and carved and polished by artisan workshops such as Hanashyo offer you a perfect, breathtaking memento of Tokyo that will endure for generations.
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CUSTOMIZING TRADITIONAL CRAFTSHome to many unique craft traditions developed in its days as a castle town during the Edo period (1603–1868), Tokyo offers refined souvenirs and gifts you won’t see anywhere else.
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OLD MEETS NEW: MODERN CULTURE AND TRADITIONS MERGETradition need not stand still. Tokyo, the neon metropolis, was once Edo, the cradle of culture. Today, artists and artisans across the city are keeping that culture alive in innovative ways connecting old and new, expressing classical ideas through a different lens for successive generations.
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ETHICAL EXPERIENCES IN TOKYOIf you're seeking a more ethical way to experience Japan, the resurgence of traditional crafts and the uptick in upcycling will catch your eye in Tokyo. Against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis, you can find locals committed to positive change around almost every corner.
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RECOMMENDED GIFTS & VALUABLE NEW PRODUCTSIn Japan’s culture of gift-giving, the elegance and quality of souvenirs from Tokyo are matched only by their variety. From the finest kitchenware to exquisite handcrafts, the best of Japan is found here.