Harajuku Fashion – Yukata

Tokyo summers mean you get to see the most fabulous variety of yukata dresses you could ever imagine. I snapped some photos of the beauties around Harajuku and Omotesando last month. Flower patterns dominate but check out the dark blue fireworks patterned yukata in the second photo. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Harajuku + Omotesando Fashion Check

I haven’t done a fashion check and to be quite honest, there’s been a distinct lack of absolute trends for the last two summers. The above average heat doesn’t help either, people dress as little and as lightly as possible, and in simple, easily washable airy garments. These have been the summer of the cheap wear once throw away fashion chain stores, like H&M and the domestic Uniqlo, as well as the usual suspects. From what I hear people are aiming for cheaper and simple clothes, cuts and colors. The only thing that you see more of this summer than last are hats, to protect against the harsh sun. Even make up is lighter than usual and practically everyone is wearing sandals these days, in Tokyo’s hip Harajuku and Omotesando districts. I took these photos right in front of my favorite Harajuku building, the only one in the area with real character! More fashion checks to come!

Shinto Wedding – Beautiful Bride

Last month as I was showing a foreign friend around Tokyo – first visit – we saw this gorgeous couple at their wedding ceremony in Tokyo’s main Meiji Jingu shrine. I know I have posted wedding ceremonies many times before but I just can’t help myself! The only ones who had the benefit of the parasol was the couple themselves, the others had to do without anything to shield them from the fierce sun that beautiful afternoon, hence their shut eyes!

Azuma Makoto – Collapsible Leaves

At the Gallery in Omotesando’s Gyre I saw the leaf art exhibition by Azuma Makoto. Born in Fukuoka in 1976 he has quickly become on of Japan’s most famous Ikebana artists using flowers, leafs, plants, moss and grass as his subject. All of the works in this exhibition was carefully made by hand in a process that must have take a lot of time. I really recommend putting his name in a Google Image search and enjoying the fabulous photos, or take a few moments to browse his personal blog. I really enjoyed the stark patterns that emerge from his works when viewed close up!