#VirtualTokyo: Take The Trip

#VirtualTokyo

By John-Paul Shiver

Stephen Bruner aka Thundercat, who just released the first video from his latest album Drunk, has always been more than vocal about his love of Japanese culture. The video for “Tokyo”, directed by Jun Hanamoto-Hearn, is a packed 2 plus minutes of Thundercat in Tokyo taking in video games, new technology, sushi, video games…. And posing with a plethora of cats.

The Grammy winning bass player is one of the most sought after musicians, composers, and songwriters of his generation. Just revisit Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” and “Untitled Unmastered,” if you need to ask why.

Drunk, his third studio album to date, treats the listener to a musical display of unrestrained delight. From serious jazz-fusion moments to retro-futuristic pop manifestations.  Space boogie thump and yacht rock AOR to boot.  For anybody else, this “grouping” would be a bad look. But Thundercat, who understands that genius talent is best absorbed when cracking jokes at the genius, pulls off this multi-directional sonic bouillabaisse… Drunk has made the rounds on The Best of 2017 so far lists.
Get the album

SHOP MADE IN JAPAN

Take The Trip

1.  Virtual  Tourism

Persona 5
Persona 5 is the latest in Atlus’ long-running JRPG franchise. The game delivers a phenomenal representation of Tokyo, capturing its sights and sounds with pinpoint precision. Stroll through its pixel-perfect neighborhoods, hang out in karaoke bars, bombastic arcades and relaxing bathhouses. It’s virtual tourism at its best.

#TouringTokyo #Mindgames #Virtualtourism #gaming #video #VirtualTravel

2. Eat Drink Tokyo

Yamazaki Japanese Single Malt Whisky 12yr 750ML
Customers say: Yamazaki is a well balanced single malt whiskey for a fair price. Goes down smooth and finishes with a light smokiness. It’s not too peaty, which is something I prefer in whiskey, but it comes down to your personal preference. Usually, Macallen 12yr is my go to, but Yamazaki is a nice switch every now and again. I definitely recommend. CHEERS!

MATCHAEOLOGIST Matcha Brewing Kit
This contemporary-style brewing kit pairs the finest handcrafted matcha-ware with artisanal matcha, perfect for your daily ritual. The Matchæologist® Matcha Brewing Kit balances traditional ceremonial values with contemporary functionality. The kit contains Matsu™ artisanal matcha, a Cloud Glass Chawan (handblown, double-walled glass bowl), a Full Hand Chasen (full-length bamboo matcha whisk), and a Bamboo Chashaku (matcha measuring spoon)—everything you need to partake in an ancient ceremony in modern style.

KRACIE Popin’ Cookin’ Japanese Festival DIY candy
Direct from Japan
Just by preparing this product withwater, you can easily reproduce classic food sold at Japanese festival.  Chocolate and candy are the main tastes.

3. Shop Japan

CHAMPION X BEAMS JAPANESE PRINT T
The latest collaborative effort from Champion x Beams sees the pair make a welcome return to European shores with the collaborative offering. Cut from 100% cotton, this short sleeved tee combines the aesthetics of both labels – updating an athletic inspired silhouette with Japanese text placed across the chest.

ADIDAS OG TRACKSUIT – MADE IN JAPAN
Sportswear icons adidas celebrate the 50th anniversary of their 3 striped tracksuit with a remake of an original style from the mid 1970’s, complete with authentic trims and finishes. This OG Tracksuit in a classic navy and orange colourway has been constructed and crafted in Japan in a limited run of 2000 pieces, with each set coming individually numbered and delivered in bespoke branded packaging.

HUMAN MADE TV SHOW T
The Human Made brand continues to explore its affinity with vintage sportswear from the 1950’s this season, once again executing vintage graphics with great attention to detail. With a playful and painterly TV inspired print to its chest, the TV Show Tee comes cut from pure cotton and is finished with a ribbed knit to its crew neckline.

HAWKSMILL DENIM CO. SLIM TAPERED JEAN JAPANESE RAW SELVEDGE
Constructed from Japanese raw selvedge denim, these Slim Tapered Jeans from Hawksmill Denim Co. update a classic silhouette with a contemporary fit. Comprising a classic five pocket set-up, copper rivets, a debossed leather tag and stitch detailing to the waistband and hem, the trousers are a prime example of minimalist luxury.

NEIGHBORHOOD X TEVA UNIVERSAL 2.0 SANDAL
Joining forces for the first time this season Teva and Japanese brand Neighborhood create these Universal 2.0 Sandals. This styles leather, canvas and rubber construction is finished with a cushioned Float Light sole unit and is detailed with Velcro fastenings and a dual branded woven logo tab to the heel.

4. Shop Grooming x Lifestyle

RETAW FRAGRANCE BODY CREAM
Tokyo based lifestyle label retaW has been creating unique fragrances to match your mood since their inception in 2009. Healing the body and mind, the Allen body cream will deeply moisturise with its lightweight feel and refreshing lily scent.

RETAW STANDARD REED DIFFUSER – NATURAL MYSTIC*
retaW’s Natural Mystic* Standard Reed Diffuser is made for living and work spaces and will last for 6 to 8 months. Its mysterious, spicy scent with patchouli and vanilla will saturate your daily life with fragrance.

RETAW FRAGRANCE ROOM TAG – ALLEN*
Proving that Hiroshi Fujiwara is a man of many talents, retaW (Water, backwards) is his forward thinking fragrance brand, creating unique products designed to enhance modern life. Based in the upmarket Aoyama district of Tokyo, retaW have developed a series of expertly created fragrances, many named after the record or musician that tailored the hand picked selection of scents they are blended from.

RETAW X FRAGMENT DESIGN LIP BALM
A collaboration another one Hiroshi’s celebrated projects, the retaW x Fragment Design Lip Balm is designed to keep lips fresh and moisturised thanks to Candelilla wax and Beeswax, with Rosemary oil and Peppermint oil leaving a light pleasant smell. Designed for day to day use to relieve dry, chapped lips, it is housed in a sleek and minimal slender tube.

RETAW FRAGRANCE TABLET – ALLEN*
Designed to allow you to take your chosen fragrance with you every where you go, the Fragrance Tablet comes in a pack of 8 allowing you to bring retaW’s Allen* scent into your bag, wallet, car or room

NEIGHBORHOOD X RETAW BODY CREAM
NUMBER ONE*
Neighborhood and Japanese fragrance experts retaW have created the perfect blend of herbs and the original ‘NUMBER ONE’ scent – now available in a body cream.

NEIGHBORHOOD X RETAW FRAGRANCE CANDLE
NUMBER ONE*
Cult streetwear label Neighborhood fuse English punk and American motorcycling culture with the vibrant style of the Harajuku neighbourhood. Joining forces with Tokyo-based apothecary brand retaW, for a collaborative take on a Fragrance Candle, the streetwear stalwarts comprise a blend of natural oils carefully curated into retaW’s Number One scent.

RETAW FRAGRANCE BODY SHAMPOO 
OYL
Tokyo based lifestyle label retaW has been creating unique fragrances to match your mood since their inception in 2009. A shampoo for your body or hair, relax your body and mind with the refreshing green scents of grapefruit and jasmine. The Oyl body shampoo is filled with vitality in the six essential oils, deepened by the amber and musk aroma.