Tokyo, unveiling what you have been dreaming of

No doubt: once again, this trip to Japan has transformed my life. There is always so much to bring back from Nippon.

This time, I tried to explore the paths outside the usual touristic areas, and root the four days spent in Tokyo into a truly local journey. From the choice of the hotel, Aman Tokyo, to the culinary experiences with local chefs, whether celebrities or not, or this amazing florist in Aoyama, it was all about propping-up my senses, enjoying a slower pace of life together with deeper emotion, and surprisingly very little shopping or retail rat-race. Just a simple and genuine Tokyo lifestyle.

So, I decided to start with this picture. Not just because I love contemporary art and am collecting it, but also because it shows how Japan is balancing so well traditions and the new exploratory ways of expressing their arts and talents. This graffiti was taken in one of the restaurants of NEWoMan shopping mall in Shinjuku

Though shopping was not part of the experience during the three days in Tokyo, I cannot be there and not spend a few minutes into what I believe remains one of the most inspiring retail spaces ever created: Sonia Rykiel.

This remains a unique shopping experience in Aoyama, inspired by the literary cafés in Paris. I honestly have no idea how many books are displayed on the shelves, but all the French classics are there, which you can read in between perusing the latest trends.

In a country where digital is everywhere, not to say King, books are also everywhere and even getting stronger. Tsutaya has maybe opened the greatest spaces for reading and exploring literature, arts and food in the most amazing publishings from around the world.

Take for example the bookstore located at Meguro station. After picking your coffee from one of those tiny and cute Onibus coffee shops in the area (honestly, the best in town, by far), you will enjoy opening-up your horizons reading a few lines and pages of anything that catches your eyes and inspires your soul, before heading to work.

What Japan is always reminding me, is that everything in life has a meaning, has a way to be done in order to make the best out of it.

The tea ceremony is a perfect example of how we should apprehend our daily lives. Passion, Patience and Precision to exhaust the best of what we are about to experience.

This picture was taken in a house located in Nomu, Minami Aoyama. The atmosphere is an invitation to relaxation.

Although the weather was not the best throughout the four days (it is the raining season from June to July), one of the most enjoyable ways to feel Tokyo is to walk, walk and walk. In addition to soothing your mind, and balancing it with your body, it reveals the most amazing pieces of architecture the city is usually hiding behind the main avenues.

it is the shapes of the buildings or the houses, the manicured small yards at the front which welcome you in the most delicate way, or the texturing of the facades.

Hence, the choice of this picture. Under a grey sky, these dark grey tiles almost look like a washi paper (traditional paper made from the long inner fibres of three plants).

Most of us would run and see the luxury shops architecture which is outstanding, no doubt. But there is still this little lack of soul which you can only find in the living spaces. My favourite spots are Aoyama and Nakameguro.

Japan is maybe the most minimalist country I have ever been to, even more than any of the Nordic countries.

I was talking to you about Washi paper a fine lines above. This wall is a typical example of how this traditional paper would cover walls.

Enhancing the pureness of another art, not to say a way of life with its own set of philosophies: the Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy.

For those of you who have never been to Tokyo or who haven't been since April 2017, I can only (strongly) recommend that you visit the newly opened The Six Ginza shopping mall. Triple WOW for the interior, the light, the lifestyle mix. I spent maybe two hours inside, never feeling oppressed or compelled to buy, but stopping at every station, every store, because there was something to discover, to enjoy or to share. Though I am not a fan of Starbucks, their Reserve space within the Tsutaya bookstore (yes, another one!) was amazing.

I could not avoid a few pictures of Aman Tokyo hotel. The mind-blowing architecture, the outstanding service, the space given to each guest, the materials chosen... it is a never ending exploratory journey. The swimming pool is a place you want to stay forever, overlooking the city. The cigar lounge (I know, smoking is bad...) is proposing some of the best Cubans and Trinidads, together with a collection of Japanese aged whiskeys.

The Aman hotel rooms provide an expansive space with a stunning view on the city, the Imperial Palace and the gardens. The skyline is showing differents shades and colors throughout the day. The lounge sofa is maybe one of the spaces in the room where I spent most of the time, and could take my eyes out from the city view. Trying to catch the shape of the far-away Fuji mountain.