I had been captivated by Japan, perhaps since the early 2000’s when Bill Murray and Scarlette Johanson brought the delights of Tokyo to my attention via Lost In Translation. This was shortly followed by developing a curiosity in Japanese street style whilst studying Fashion Promotion and Illustration at university. Then as my interest in interiors started to develop, so did my interest in Japan’s calming and simplistic style, quite the contrast to the chaotic Japan I had first been presented with. Their juxtaposition of cultures was enchanting, but equally overwhelming and despite it being top of my holiday list for some time and being comfortable holidaying alone, when it came to Japan, I was waiting to meet someone, so I could enter and guide my way through what seemed like a bewildering other world with someone else's support. But then I thought fuck it, stop waiting, just go and it was the best solo holiday I could have hoped for.
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Key Characters:
Billie - A holiday fling
Locations:
Yogi Park, Tokyo
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3034_002.html
Cat Street
https://www.japanvisitor.com/tokyo-area-guides/catstreettokyo
Opening Ceremony
https://www.openingceremony.com/en-gb/
City Shop
http://cityshop.tokyo/
Shibuya Crossing
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/tokyo/attractions/shibuya-crossing/a/poi-sig/396831/356817
Fushimi Inari-taisha (Red Pillar Temple)
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
https://www.insidekyoto.com/arashiyama-bamboo-grove
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html
Kyoto Onsen
https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyotos-best-onsen-hot-spring-baths
Naoshima Island
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5475.html
Dans Le Noir
https://london.danslenoir.com/unusual-restaurant-in-london.html
Benesse House
https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/stay/benessehouse/
The Park Hyatt Plaza - The New York Bar
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/japan/park-hyatt-tokyo/tyoph
Kaikaya By The Sea
http://www.kaikaya.com/
Oath
https://www.residentadvisor.net/club.aspx?id=16967
Mori Digital Museum
https://borderless.teamlab.art/
Cultural References:
Yayoi Kusama
http://yayoi-kusama.jp/e/information/
Entertainment References:
Lost In Translation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Translation_(film)
Normal People
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_People
Greta Thunberg School Strike
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_Thunberg
Gwen Steffani - Harajuka Girls
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Lqn8M0QxPLIPRJ4nUKTGN?highlight=spotify:track:3L7P7HZVQ3wxzKoUyxaC9H
Lost In Tokyo
https://lostin.com/products/lost-in-tokyo
Katy Perry Roar
https://open.spotify.com/album/2bELFHKEF8yIDHMelNab2p
Pulp Common People
https://open.spotify.com/album/3ly9T2L4pqTZijFgQssd3x?highlight=spotify:track:2fXKyAyPrEa24c6PJyqznF
Snow Informer
https://open.spotify.com/track/2LjiPAQOVazT8sRyXL3XRs
Queen Don’t Stop Me Now
https://open.spotify.com/track/3lrNq7iGL5r3KS93YiKAbC
Pulp Fiction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fiction
Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth