Tokyo Purchases

Finally back from my weekend long adventure around Japan! I had a great time in general and I definitely experienced a crazy side of Tokyo... Here's a few things that I bought that I'm super excited about!

This jacket pictured below is called a Haori, it is a traditional jacket that you wear over a kimono. I got it near Asakusa Temple in Tokyo for 500 yen (less than $5!).

Normally not so great in the summer, but we've had a few cooler days so I've had the chance to wear it.

You can see mountains printed on the back (and all around). I love the style of this jacket with the huge sleeves.

Here I am at Asakusa Temple wearing my Haori in addition to some other purchases. Super flowy pants that are really popular here.

I always forget to ask people to take pictures of me so I'm often left with the bathroom selfie. Here is my second Haori that I got in Harajuku (an unsuspecting place for some really nice vintage Haoris and Kimonos).

I love the detail of the back of this Haori. The nature and the colors really make this simple black Haori interesting.

Another thing that's really popular here is wearing sandals with socks. Tevas are especially common for this look. I actually bought these shoes in Hokkaido and the socks in Kyoto, but figured I'd include them anyways.

I've really enjoyed observing the fashion trends here in Japan as well as taking inspiration from the tradition dress. My host family is taking me to a store that sells Haoris this weekend since I can't seem to get enough! Hopefully I'll have more to share next week!

Post by Tallulah Axinn

Bushwick: (Stars and) Stripes

Halfway through the summer and I've made it to my first cookout. Hurrah! 

This cookout was a July 4th deal featuring college students either ironically clad in their finest red, white, and blue or sporting all black and a choker. Feeling decidedly unpatriotic I dressed closer to the latter crowd, wearing mixed patterns in their mildest form: a striped shirt over a grid skirt, both in black and white. 

I was invited by an intern who is a friend of the two hosts (and, seemingly, everyone else present). In typical me fashion I paraded in a good half hour before the intern friend (my only connection to the party) arrived. Because awkwardness isn't just a trait; it's a lifestyle.

The party started on the ground floor where the grill was located and slowly migrated up to the roof for firework viewing. For city kids uncomfortable with the great outdoors (read: backyard with scattered patches of grass) there was also the Bernie-2016-stickered house to hang out in. Overall, a pretty nice set up and a definitive step up from two semesters of hot-n-sweaty dorm parties.

Bushwick turned out to be a prime location for firework shows. We had fireworks going off on three sides of the roof and even a couple of (potentially dangerous?) fireworks going off above our heads, courtesy of the neighbors. 

 

After a pretty great weekend that started with the Yoko Ono exhibit at the MoMA Friday, peaked with fireworks Saturday, and came to a relaxing close on the beach Sunday, I'm left at work waiting for Friday to roll around again. Happy Monday y'all!

Post by Naima Drecker-Waxman

A Survey of Japanese Hotels

I'm almost halfway through my time in Japan. At school being halfway through a semester means midterms, but here in Japan it means traveling! We have a week off to explore some other areas of Japan! Monday and Tuesday we were in Matsue, an ocean side area on the west side of Japan. We stayed in a traditional japanese hotel where we got to use the onsen (japanese public bath) and it was so nice.

Here's a photo of an onsen (unfortunately not the one we were at)

After the bath we changed into our yukatas.

And then had a wonderful dinner full of seafood!

We even got to walk around the little town all dressed up. 

Tuesday night Nicole and I spent the night in a capsule hotel in Narita airport before our flight to Sapporo! Here are a few shots from nine hours Narita (would definitely recommend!)

Home for the night!

All the female capsules

Nine hours complimentary sleepwear!

I'm writing this on the plane before we lose connection for a few days, hiking in Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido (staying in a hostel that I'm afraid will be a lot less luxurious than what we've experienced so far). And then we'll be in Tokyo until Monday! Can't wait!

Post by Tallulah Axinn