This edition is dedicated to my visit to Japan, an island where everything is so different and cute. It's hard to explain, but if you have the chance, you need to go there!
I had the opportunity to talk to Kanako, a Tokyo-based girl who loves to express herself in different styles.
In a fast-moving fashion mecca like Tokyo, trends may be gone by the time you read about them. I captured a few of the current styles to share with you.
A big part of our trip was exploring the food, and we certainly did! I share the highlights of that experience.
Johanna Karlqvist, Editor
Let's hang out.
Would you like to be featured in Nunc Publication? Connect with us on Instagram.
Tokyo streetstyle
On the bustling streets of Tokyo between 7-Eleven stores and vending machines, a variety of street style captures your attention. Every ten individuals were dressed in complete suits with a briefcase in hand while the others wore unique pieces that express their individual styles. I had to stop and chit chat with a few of the locals strolling around the streets of Tokyo.
There were certainly many Maison Margiela Tabi shoes, designed by Belgian designer Martin Margiela, spotted on the streets, which isn't surprising given that the tabi toe shape originates from Japan. The split-toe design, famously known as tabi, originated as socks intended to get balance and a clear mind through the separation of the big toe.
Two questions: Are these shoes comfortable, and do you have to use tabi socks in the shoes?
Surprisingly few Japanese wore sunglasses even in radiant sunlight, and if they did, they wore tinted lenses in shades of orange, amber or brown. It adds a small pop of color to your outfit and these types of lenses are also perfect for cloudy conditions, a reason to wear sunglasses more often. The only drawback I can think of is that you can't get away with checking someone out when it's obvious where your gaze is directed.
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
The silver obsession was clearly shown on the streets, mostly silver bags or shoes but also pants or maxi skirts. The iconic silver sneakers from Onitsuka tiger, the lifestyle brand of Asics, were frequently sighted. Dangling over many shoulders was the silver bag from BAO BAO ISSEY MAKEY a masterpiece of design, composed of a variety of triangles making the bag transform into different shapes when filled with items and can also be stored flat. Every time we passed the store on our way to the subway, we were greeted by a que, underscoring its popularity among the Japanese and its status as a fashion forward brand.
Accessories for your bag was a thing, more specific keyrings. Fluffy plush toys and the beloved Japanese icon Hello Kitty in various shapes graced countless Japanese handbags.
These items served as both self-expression and as accessories believed to bring good luck or act as talismans. This keychain trend is on the rise and it's not only the Japanese who will be personalizing their bags in 2024.
I bet you have a few keychains laying around at home that will make you nostalgic. Why not breathe new life into them by adding them to your bag, make it more you.
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
The Tokyo local I stopped on the street
I spotted her from a long distance, this cool girl walking around with her brown curly dog. She was wearing jean shorts, a polo shirt with the text "Umbro Hotter than Hell," sunglasses with brown-tinted lenses, and her hair was put back with a black hairband. Her Adidas Sambas were pimped with shoelaces in white mesh. I had to stop her, and we had a talk.
It turned out that we shared a passion for sustainable fashion. "I buy a lot of secondhand and I also remake the clothes I have," Kanoko says with a smile.
"I buy a lot of secondhand and I also remake the clothes I have"
Her white polo shirt with brown details is from the brand Hotter than Hell , which has, among others, collaborations with Umbro. "It's so cute, and I love that brand," Kanoko says and removes her hair from the shirt.
As a tourist, if you have the chance, you need to ask the locals for recommendations, so I did. "First, you have to go to Harajuku, where you can find really good street style and vintage clothing stores selling unique fashion pieces," Kanoko tells me. "There is actually a term: Harajuku Girls," she laughs. "That refers to the fashion-forward young women (and men), often sporting bold and creative outfits."
"There is actually a term: Harajuku Girls"
"Do you like crepes?" she asks and continues, "You can find the best in Harajuku. Choose the one with crème brûlée and fresh strawberries; it's the best," she says.
Photo: Johanna Karlqvist
“One piece of advice I have for tourists visiting Japan is to understand and respect the local behavior," she says in a more serious tone.
We talked through some of the cultural and Japanese manners. Bowing, for example, is a way to greet, show respect, apologize, and thank someone in Japan.
“When you're on public transport, it's all about being considerate of others and maintaining a peaceful environment,” she explains. It's expected to keep noise to a minimum.
“When you're on public transport, it's all about being considerate of others and maintaining a peaceful environment”
Whether at a bus stop, train station, or outside a ramen restaurant, any place where people wait, forming a line is the norm.
Speaking of food, she shares the name of the restaurant serving her favorite food, Abura Soba.
“It’s a twist on traditional ramen. I recommend everyone to try it,” Kanoko says.
Noodles are served with a flavorful oil-based sauce instead of broth. Traditional ingredients include shoyu sauce, aromatic oil, menma, shredded nori, and spring onion.
“It’s a twist on traditional ramen. I recommend everyone to try it”
Before we ended our conversation, I asked her about her everyday life in Tokyo.
"I start my day at 7 am, and the first thing I do is cuddle with Rui," she says, smiling as she gently strokes her dog on the head.
From 9 am to 3 pm she studies at the Department of Human Sociology."It's all about finding ways to do business that also contribute to society," she explains with passion.
After a day of classes, she heads to her part-time job at a cozy local restaurant.
Happy to have received insighst from the locals, I said goodbye to her and Rui.
Photo: Kanakos private
Pre-loved treasures and vintage gems in Japan!
I had read that the secondhand market is excellent in Japan, and it proved to be true. Japanese consumers tend to take very good care of their belongings, resulting in high-quality items available in secondhand stores.
Shimokitazawa, located in the southwestern corner of the Kitazawa district, is home to numerous vintage clothing stores. This bohemian and cool area is the place for a vintage hunt. It was in this district that I found the perfect vintage Burberry trench coat.
Cat Street, which runs between Harajuku and Shibuya, is another great place to find good vintage stores. The selection ranges from indeipendent stores with retro styles to the latest seasonal products in larger chain like Kindal, 2nd Street, and Ragtag. Wherever you are in Japan, if you see these names, you can be sure that these stores have a fantastic selection to offer.
Appriciasion to the food of Japan
So, we were practically on a culinary adventure, where we enjoyed a lot of different foods. Not as much sushi as you might think, instead a lot of ramen, tonkatsu, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku, and for drinks, sake. We were constantly hunting for hidden places untouched by tourist crowds.
The best food was at Ponga Ebisu. We walked up two flights of stairs in the narrow building and rang the bell. One of the waitresses opened the door and welcomed us in. Once inside, we were ushered into our own room with a table fitted with a built-in hot plate. We were served a five-course menu with absolutely fantastic flavors.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can step into an Izakaya (similar to a bar) and request “Omakase,” which means chef's choice. One evening, we dared to do just that, feeling a bit nervous about what we might receive. The menu was solely in Japanese, and the staff barely spoke English, leaving us with little choice. Not even Google could assist us in this moment.
Wagyu sushi
Fresh wasabi
Udon carbonara
Okonomiyaki
The first plate presented was a large red thing which turned out to be a peeled tomato with a hint of ginger. The second dish was tuna, freshly caught from the sea. The third plate offered some sort of meat, which we suspect was offal, and that's when I started to feel uneasy. Despite some weird flavors, contiuned through the night full and pleased.
Ramen is fast food for the Japanese people. We explored everything from fancy restaurants to chains. Inside the popular Ichiran Ramen chain, there was a screen displaying available seats. We were assigned to seats 14 and 15 . In front of us, there was a hatch where the food was served.
To the right in the small booth separated by a thin wall, small wooden pieces hung, sayingthings like “I don't understand the ordering process” or “too noisy,” offering a way for customers to communicate without speaking to the crew.
With my face down in the ramen bowl, listening to everyone slurping the noodles I was thinking how different it is here.
Tomato with ginger & offal
Tuna with a horseradish cream
Tonkatsu
Soba cooking class
It felt like entering someone's home. The first thing you noticed when stepping into the studio was the large windows offering a view of the river with the city skyline in the background. Next, you saw a vast collection of books and maps, all related to food.
"I am a bit of a soba noodle nerd," Alika said, serving us tea.
"I am a bit of a soba noodle nerd”
Master Chef Alika Inouye is a soba expert and founder of Tsukiji Soba Academy. He has won Michelin prizes and teaches classes all over the world.
He began to explain what makes a good soba noodle. "The noodles have to be slurpable, with the perfect marriage of sauce and noodles," he said with a smile. "They also have to be stable, flexible, and long enough."
We started with the soy sauce and then moved on to the dough. We were highly involved in the process, but you could see how he fixed our mistakes when we didn’t knead the dough quite correctly.
"The noodles have to be slurpable, with the perfect marriage of sauce and noodles"
Later, we sat down at the big table, just the three of us, enjoying our soba noodles both cold and warm. We talked, and he taught us how to properly slurp the noodles.
I had to ask what his favorite food was.
He waited a few seconds. "Soba noodles, of course," he laughed.
We said goodbye to this friendly master chef, leaving an experience richer.
Master Chef Alika Inouye´s studio
Soy sauce in the making
Result of the soba noodle cooking class
Parts of the Editor's life
Personal favorites
We visited Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—three major cities, each with its own unique atmosphere.
Kyoto has a traditional charm, filled with historic temples. We participated in a tea ceremony, strolled around in kimonos, and visited the famous Nishiki Market, known for its fresh food.
In Osaka, people are more open-minded. It's famous for its street food and vibrant nightlife.
However, I liked Tokyo the most and could easily spend two weeks there. There's always something happening and plenty of areas to explore. Here are five additional tips beyond what I've already mentioned:
1. On a side street in Shinjuku, there is a hidden vinyl bar called Bar rpm. It's a cozy place with just 10 seats and the friendliest bartender. We told him what we liked, and he created a drink with a little twist.
2. Master Chef Alika advised us to visit the kitchenware district Kappabashi. It was a Japanese ceramic heaven. Imagine choosing a ramen bowl from among 20 different stores—not an easy task, I can tell you.
Bar rpm
Kappabashi kitchenware district
3. A two-hour bus trip from Tokyo brought us to Fujiyoshida, a city near Mt. Fuji. We walked around the city, seeing the mountain from different angles. It was beautiful and awe-inspiring to see this sacred mountain.
4. It might sound weird, but 7-Eleven in Japan is a must. The selection is really good, and there is so much fun to try: currypan, onigiri, mini ice cream, melonpan, and much more.
Many evenings, we passed by a 7-Eleven to buy snacks to take back to the hotel room.
5. Matcha tea, matcha latte, matcha ice cream, matcha tiramisu—you name it. This finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves is everywhere. I recommend YUGEN, Rokujuan Maccha House, or Tea Ceremony Ju-An, all located in Kyoto. In Tokyo, The Matcha Tokyo is the place to go for this healthy and delicious drink.
Mt. Fuji
Fujiyoshida
7-eleven
Rokujuan 100 years old tea house
YUGEN
Let's hang out.
About
A missing space for creativity, that's why and how Nunc publication was founded.
The founder has been looking for a place that illustrates a new approach towards consuming, positive rather than judgmental. As an outsider in the writing industry, Johanna has now created that place.
Nunc publication strives to discuss and inspire to consume in a more sustainable way, but also initiate a creative process questioning our behavior's. By inviting relevant people/businesses and include the readers, creativity will thrive and lifestyles will change.
Stories
Every person carries within them a unique story, a tapestry woven from the threads of their experiences, background and challenges. Those stories are truly inspiring to me.
publication